Bird Kingdom Niagara Falls is a tropical aviary and wildlife sanctuary located in Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada. Spanning over 80,000 square feet, it is home to over 400 exotic birds and animals from around the world. With its lush indoor jungle, waterfalls, ponds and winding pathways, Bird Kingdom offers a unique walking experience that allows visitors to observe exotic birds up close.
A Brief Overview of Bird Kingdom
Bird Kingdom is divided into three main sections:
- Free Flight Aviary – A 40,000 square foot indoor aviary home to over 400 exotic birds from around the world. Visitors can walk through jungle pathways to observe colorful parrots, macaws, toucans and other tropical birds as they fly freely overhead.
- Discovery Zone – Filled with reptiles, amphibians, fish and invertebrates from around the world, including snakes, lizards, turtles, frogs, insects and more. Interactive educational displays provide fun facts.
- Tauro Trail – An outdoor trail with scenic ponds and waterfalls, home to marsh birds like storks, swans, geese, ducks and endangered turtles.
There is also a gift shop, cafe, restaurant and special events spaces within Bird Kingdom.
What’s the Recommended Time to Walk Through Bird Kingdom?
Most guests spend an average of 1.5 to 3 hours walking through Bird Kingdom. Here is a breakdown of approximate times for each section:
- Free Flight Aviary – 45-60 minutes
- Discovery Zone – 30 minutes
- Tauro Trail – 15-30 minutes
- Gift Shop – 15-30 minutes
The aviary is the largest section and requires the most time as there are winding pathways and many exotic birds to observe along the way. The Discovery Zone and Tauro Trail offer quicker walking experiences to see other wildlife.
Tips for Maximizing Your Visit
Here are some tips to help you have the best experience when walking through Bird Kingdom Niagara Falls:
- Arrive Early – Come first thing in the morning when the birds are most active.
- Move Slowly – Walk slowly along the paths to have more time observing the exotic birds.
- Follow Flow – Follow the designed pathway through the aviary for the full experience.
- Respect Space – Be respectful of keeping a safe distance from the birds.
- Engage Senses – Appreciate the smells, sounds, colors and movement of the free flying birds.
- Visit Displays – Stop at the educational displays to learn interesting facts about each species.
- Capture Moments – Bring your camera to capture special moments during your walk.
- Take a Break – Rest in the indoor jungle rest areas when needed.
- See the Shows – Catch one of the scheduled bird shows in the aviary theater.
- Shop Gifts – Browse the gift shop at the end to bring home souvenirs.
Allowing enough time to stroll through the aviary pathways, absorb the sights and sounds, and engage with some of the educational elements will provide the fullest experience.
Walkthrough Duration by Visitor Type
The amount of time needed to fully walk through Bird Kingdom can vary based on the type of visitor:
| Visitor Type | Time Needed |
|---|---|
| Family with young kids | 2-3 hours |
| Older adults | 1.5-2 hours |
| Teens or young adults | 1.5-2.5 hours |
| Photographers | 3+ hours |
| Bird enthusiasts | 3+ hours |
| Casual visitors | 1-2 hours |
Families with young children often spend the most time visiting the interactive Discovery Zone displays. Older adults and casual visitors tend to walk through at a relaxed pace. Photographers and birding enthusiasts linger longest observing and capturing all the exotic species.
Walk Duration by Time of Year
The season and weather can also impact the duration of a visit to Bird Kingdom Niagara Falls:
| Time of Year | Average Duration |
|---|---|
| Spring & Summer | 2-3 hours |
| Fall | 1.5-2.5 hours |
| Winter | 1-2 hours |
Spring and summer tend to be busier tourist seasons with more families visiting, requiring more time. Winter weekdays tend to be less crowded with more efficient walkthroughs. The holiday season from November through New Year’s sees an uptick in visits again.
Paths and Highlights
Here is an overview of the main walking paths and highlights visitors can experience at Bird Kingdom Niagara Falls:
Free Flight Aviary Path
This winding pathway brings you through the lush indoor jungle habitat housing exotic bird species from around the world. Highlights include:
- Waterfall Landing – Get up close to a torrent waterfall right inside the aviary.
- Jade’s Pond – See flamingos and other wetland birds around this tranquil pond.
- Toucan Ridge – Walk beneath toucans perched overhead.
- Parrot Paradise – Marvel at a flock of parrots feeding near the path.
- Scarlet Macaw Encounter – Feed these bright red tropical birds by hand!
Discovery Zone Path
An educational indoor path displaying reptiles, amphibians, fish and invertebrates. Highlights include:
- Turtle Pond – Get eye level with endangered turtles swimming.
- Lizard Lounge – Observe iguanas and chameleons up close in this reptile habitat.
- Nocturnal Cave – Discover bats, owls and other nocturnal creatures.
- Amazon Rising – Peer into an Amazon-inspired habitat with snakes, frogs and fish.
Tauro Trail Outdoor Path
A relaxing outdoor nature trail circling ponds and water features. Highlights include:
- Flamingo Cove – Walk alongside flamingos strolling in the pond.
- Stork Landing – Watch white storks soar overhead from this scenic lookout.
- Swan Lake – Admire elegant swans gliding across the water.
- Marsh Outlook – A peaceful spot to watch ducks, geese and other wetland birds.
The full walking tour covers each of these areas for an immersive tropical bird and wildlife experience. Allow 2-3 hours to leisurely explore it all.
Conclusion
Walking through Bird Kingdom Niagara Falls provides a beautiful, relaxing indoor and outdoor experience surrounded by exotic birdlife and wildlife. The immersive aviary habitats, jungle trails, educational displays and scenic outdoor ponds offer an engaging walk for visitors of all ages.
Most guests spend 1.5 to 3 hours exploring all Bird Kingdom has to offer. Families with kids, bird watchers and photographers tend to linger longer. The best times are spring through fall when nicer weather allows enjoying the outdoor trail. Walking slowly, observing the birds and learning along the way results in the most fulfilling visit.
With lush tropical landscaping, waterfalls, colorful exotic birds, and scenic trails, Bird Kingdom offers a unique walkthrough experience to enjoy the sights, sounds, colors and movement of nature from around the world.
