The world’s largest free flight walk in aviary is the Jurong Bird Park aviary in Singapore. At 42,000 square meters (452,084 square feet), it far exceeds any other walk-in aviaries in size and scale. The Jurong Bird Park itself is a sprawling 20.2-hectare (49-acre) attraction that is home to over 5,000 birds representing 400 species. The walk-in aviary essentially allows visitors to immerse themselves within a massive enclosed habitat and observe birds up-close as they fly freely overhead. Read on to learn more about this architectural marvel and see why it has gained its reputation as the world’s largest free flight walk-in aviary.
History of the Jurong Bird Park
The Jurong Bird Park first opened its doors to visitors on January 3, 1971. At the time, it covered an area of 20 hectares and housed a collection of about 600 birds. The park was conceptualized and built by the Jurong Town Corporation to complement the development of the surrounding Jurong industrial estate. Its unique open concept aviary was an innovative zoo design that allowed birds to fly freely, simulating their natural habitats.
Over the next few decades, Jurong Bird Park continued expanding its bird collection and aviaries. By the 1990s, it was home to 9,000 birds representing 800 species. Its signature walk-in aviary also continued to grow until it gained the title of the world’s largest free flight aviary. Today, Jurong Bird Park receives about 1 million visitors annually and is considered one of Singapore’s major tourist attractions.
Details of the Jurong Bird Park Aviary
The Jurong Bird Park aviary covers an area of 42,000 square meters and reaches a maximum height of 30 meters (98 feet). It was specially designed to simulate a rainforest environment and enable birds to fly freely between trees and vegetation. The aviary houses about 600 birds from 60 different species.
Some features and zones of the aviary include:
- A central waterfall and stream
- Rocky cliffs and caves
- Trees and plants native to Southeast Asia rainforests
- A special hornbill habitat
- Feeding areas and platforms
- A nursery for young chicks
The aviary has multiple walk-through access points that allow visitors to immerse themselves within the habitat. Careful design ensures the enclosure remains secure while maintaining an open feel. Jurong Bird Park’s keepers and veterinarians also closely monitor the birds within the aviary.
Notable Bird Species
Some of the remarkable bird species that inhabit the Jurong Bird Park aviary include:
- Rhinoceros hornbill – Large bird with a distinctive “horn” on its bill.
- Black hornbill – Omnivorous bird that feeds on fruit, insects, small reptiles and amphibians.
- Oriental pied hornbill – Distinct black and white plumage; eats fruit and small animals.
- Great Indian hornbill – Heavy curved bill; feeds mostly on fruit.
- Wreathed hornbill – Identifiable wreathed-shaped casque on top of bill.
- Malabar grey hornbill – Small grey and white hornbill; eats fruits and insects.
- Bushy crested hornbill – Small hornbill with fuzzy head feathers.
- Asian fairy bluebird – Brightly colored blue bird; eats berries and insects.
- Lineated barbet – Plump bird with green and yellow stripes; feeds on fruit.
Features for Visitors
The Jurong Bird Park aviary provides an immersive experience for visitors to observe birds up-close. Some features and programs include:
- Paved walking trails winding through the aviary habitat.
- Viewing areas, rest points, and benches along the walking paths.
- Educational signs providing facts about the birds and their behaviors.
- Feeding stations where visitors can offer special nectar to lories and nectarines.
- Scheduled feeding shows at amphitheaters within the aviary.
- Photographer’s hill offering panoramic views of the aviary.
- Guided tours for groups.
The walk-through aviary is handicap accessible. Visitors in wheelchairs can access ramps and elevators in certain areas. Strollers are also allowed.
Other Notable Walk-in Aviaries Around the World
While Jurong Bird Park has the world’s largest free flight walk-in aviary, there are a few other exceptional aviaries around the world worth mentioning:
- Bird Kingdom – Niagara Falls, Canada – Home to the world’s largest indoor free flying aviary, spanning 30,000 sq ft.
- National Aviary – Pittsburgh, USA – Massive walk-through aviary housing over 500 birds from around the world.
- Budapest Zoo – Budapest, Hungary – Beautiful walk-through aviary opened in 1896 housing a range of exotic bird species.
- Auckland Zoo Aviary – Auckland, New Zealand – Sprawling 5,000 sq m free flight aviary with elevated walkways.
- San Diego Zoo Aviary – San Diego, USA – Lush walk-through aviaries featuring birds from around the world.
While enormous in scale, none match the size and grandeur of Jurong Bird Park’s centerpiece aviary.
Architectural Significance
At the time when it was built, Jurong Bird Park’s walk-in aviary was an engineering marvel. It was one of the first free flight aviaries of such a massive scale enabling visitors to freely interact with birds in a naturalistic habitat.
Some architectural features that make it notable include:
- Largest free flight aviary in the world spanning over 42,000 sq m.
- Innovative open concept design using minimized barriers between birds and visitors.
- Immense network of vegetation, trees, water features, terrain elevations and rocks recreating a rainforest environment.
- Climate control system to regulate temperature and humidity within the aviary habitat.
- Behind-the-scenes service corridors allowing keepers and vets to access the aviary.
- Integrated viewing platforms, rest areas, educational displays, and walkways for visitors.
The engineering and architecture of Jurong Bird Park’s aviary set the standard for modern interactive bird enclosures seen around the world today. It remains an iconic example of outstanding aviary design.
Conservation Impact
While acting primarily as a tourist attraction, Jurong Bird Park also contributes to avian conservation and research:
- Participates in captive breeding programs for threatened species, including successful breeding of the endangered Luzon bleeding-heart dove.
- Member of Species360, a global database supporting conservation efforts for birds and wildlife.
- Promotes public awareness and education about avian wildlife.
- Studies on hornbill breeding and raising of hatchlings in an enclosed nesting environment.
- Partners with wildlife organizations and universities on conservation initiatives and research.
- Provides rescue and rehabilitation for wild birds, especially endangered native species.
By inspiring visitors to develop an appreciation for birds, Jurong Bird Park helps highlight the importance of conserving avian biodiversity. Its massive aviary serves as a model for creative bird enclosures that can meet both visitor experience goals and the welfare needs of birds.
Conclusion
In summary, the free flight walk-in aviary at Jurong Bird Park is undoubtedly the largest in the world at 42,000 square meters. This architecturally impressive enclosure was pioneering for its time in enabling visitors to freely interact with hundreds of exotic bird species flying overhead and around them. The aviary successfully simulates a Southeast Asian rainforest habitat through its scale, vegetation, climate control system and terrain. While promoting ecotourism, Jurong Bird Park also contributes to avian conservation through captive breeding, education, rehabilitation and research programs. Its record-setting aviary remains an inspirational model for immersive bird enclosures worldwide.
