Aviculture Behind the Scenes Experiences
These personal experiences give you special access behind the scenes and include one-on-one time with bird care staff! These experiences are available to book at least two weeks in advance. Click on an experience below for more info!
Flamingo Encounter (30 minute experience)
Flamingo Encounter
Get Close with our Chilean flamingos and their South American feathered friends! The experience starts with a tour inside our Flamingo holding building. Our bird care staff share all the details in caring for flamingos and why this building is important to their welfare. After the tour of the building, participants will step into the outside portion of the exhibit, where they will get a closer view of the birds and learn more about their natural history. During this time participants will be able to toss food to the flamingos and waterfowl. Participants will have the opportunity to watch how these birds stir up the water with their feet and use their specialized beaks to filter for food. You will feel like you are part of Tracy Aviary’s very own Flamboyance!
Price:
- $25 per person (Daily Admission separate)
- 10% off for Members
Availability:
- Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays at 2:30pm
- Wednesdays at 10:30am
- Saturdays and Sundays at 10:30am OR 2:30pm
- Please book at least one week in advance
- Not offered in January or when daytime temps are 24 °F or below
Participants:
- Up to 5 participants per feeding time
- Must be at least 5 years of age
- Children 5-12 must be accompanied by a paying adult
- Family and friends that aren't participating in the experience can watch and photograph from the guest side of the exhibit
- Guests will check in at the Nature Store
Due to measures in place to protect the flock from Avian Influenza, this experience may require participants to sanitize their hands and wear shoe covers.
Raptor Rounds (30 minute experience)
Get Close with our bird care staff and learn more about our raptors. Watch the turkey vultures open enrichment items, pay a visit to our parliament of owls, and toss a few treats to the eagles. Word to the wise, these birds eat whole prey items like rats and mice!
*availability of specific raptors may change
Price:
- $25 per person (Daily Admission separate)
- 10% off for Members
Availability:
- 2:30pm
- Daily - except Mondays & Thursdays
- Please book at least one week in advance
Participants:
- Up to 5 participants per experience
- Must be at least 5 years of age
- Children 5-12 must be accompanied by a paying adult
- Guests will check in at the Nature Store
Due to measures in place to protect the flock from Avian Influenza, this experience may require participants to sanitize their hands and wear shoe covers.
Q & A Tour (30 minute experience)
Join our Curator of Exhibit Collections or one of our skilled Aviculturists for a tour of our behind the scenes spaces. Guests will have the opportunity to see how we care for over 300 birds. Stops include our Avian Health Center and Aviculture Holding building. Additionally the experience is catered around the interests of the guests, providing opportunity to see other areas not normally open to the public!
Price:
- $20 per person up to 15 participants (Daily Admission separate)
- 10% off for Members
Availability:
- 10:00am or 2:30pm
- 30 minute experience
- Daily
- Please book at least one week in advance
Participants:
- Up to 15 participants per experience
- Must be at least 5 years of age
- Children 5-12 must be accompanied by a paying adult
- Guests will check in at the Nature Store
Due to measures in place to protect the flock from Avian Influenza, this experience may require participants to sanitize their hands and wear shoe covers.
Keeper Job Shadow Experience (1 hour experience)
Have you ever wondered what it takes to care for the Tracy Aviary Flock? Join one of our aviculturists for a tour of the Aviary. This opportunity will include a Q & A with one of our skilled aviculturists, and visits to behind the scenes areas. If you are interested in a career in animal care and conservation, this is a great opportunity!
Price:
- $40 per person (Daily Admission separate)
- 10% off for Members
Availability:
- 9:30am or 2:30pm
- Daily
- Please book at least one week in advance
Participants:
- 1 participant per experience
- Must be at least 12 years of age
- Guests will check in at the Nature Store
Due to measures in place to protect the flock from Avian Influenza, this experience may require participants to sanitize their hands and wear shoe covers.
Meet the Tortoises (30 minute experience)
Join our keepers in getting to know more about Stanley Dandelion, Bernard Mustard, and Quentin Romaine, three Radiated tortoises that love specially prepared salads made by participants. Learn more about their favorite foods and how they play an important role in the Aviary’s mission!
Price:
- $25 per person (Daily Admission separate)
- 10% off for Members
Availability:
- 2:00pm
- Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, & Mondays
- Please book at least one week in advance
- Weather dependent - may be held indoors in colder weather due to the sensitivity of the tortoises
Participants:
- Up to 2 participants per experience
- Must be at least 5 years of age
- Children 5-12 must be accompanied by a paying adult
- Guests will check in at the Nature Store
- Closed toed shoes highly recommended
Due to measures in place to protect the flock from Avian Influenza, this experience may require participants to sanitize their hands and wear shoe covers.
Paint with the Hornbills (15 minute experience)
Join our aviculturists for a unique experience with our southern ground hornbills. Watch the hornbills paint an artistic masterpiece from outside their exhibit, while our aviculturists give a special talk and answer all your questions. After the artwork is created, you'll get to take it home with you!
Price:
- $25 per 8in x 10in canvas painted
- 10% off for Members
Availability:
- Once daily
- 10:45 am
- Please book in person at the Tracy Aviary Visitor Center
- Please book day-of prior to 10:20 am
Participants:
- Maximum 5 participants per session
- Children 5-12 must be accompanied by a paying adult
- Guests will check in at the Nature Store
This experience cannot be booked online. Please book in person at the Tracy Aviary Visitor Center.
Daily Experiences
Amazing experiences happen at Tracy Aviary every day! Click below to learn about Daily Experiences that don't require advance booking.