World's Best Bird Houses
- Thread starter KCZooFan
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Sun Wukong
Well-Known Member
Berlin, Frankfurt, Walsrode & Wuppertal are the first ones popping up in my mind. Vienna, Augsburg, London and Riverbanks are pretty fine, too. It all depends on what you set your criterions for "best" on. And whether you talk about the past or the present. In its prime, the "Jewelry room" of the Birdhouse of Frankfurt Zoo was amazing; nowadays, it's not.
Species wise, perhaps Barcelona's Bird building can be added to the ones Sun Wukong allready mentioned, but barely...
Antwerpen with it's (in)famous "Antwerp cage system" also springs to mind, but isn't all that impressive. The large greenhouse at Avifauna is divided into many parts, some with aviaries and some with walk-through sections and also holds a nice list of species.
I haven't seen the "Tropi-Joy" building at NOP in Oerle (NL) yet, but species wise it also should count among the best...
Antwerpen with it's (in)famous "Antwerp cage system" also springs to mind, but isn't all that impressive. The large greenhouse at Avifauna is divided into many parts, some with aviaries and some with walk-through sections and also holds a nice list of species.
I haven't seen the "Tropi-Joy" building at NOP in Oerle (NL) yet, but species wise it also should count among the best...
I would add the ones in Bronx Zoo New York, NZP Washington, Philadelphia and San Antonio to Sun Wukongs List (but I would delete Augsburg).
And what about mixed-animal-buildings that host also a rich collection of birds like the Riviera Hall in Rotterdam?
And what about mixed-animal-buildings that host also a rich collection of birds like the Riviera Hall in Rotterdam?
Antwerpen is not even coming close to the ones Sun metioned and I m not impressed with the Antwerp cage system. They could have done soo much more with that area. NOP's hall is quite impressive (although not really a traditional birdhouse) not very big, but with some very nice species as Edward's fig parrots, Desmarest's fig parrots, Andean Cock-of-the-Rock, Bare-throated Fruit Crow , Calfbird and a Long-watted Umbrella Bird for sure a place to visit for bird freaks. And then I did not mention even the very impressive hornbill and toucan collection in that hall.
Sun Wukong
Well-Known Member
@zoomaniac: Hey, Augsburg isn't that bad; over the years, it has housed some interesting species and is a traditional birdhouse. But ok, to be fair: it might not be in the same league as the other ones already mentioned.
I don't remember it particularly but I think Chester's bird house was held in quite high esteem and is fondly remembered by some forumers older than myself.
Otherwise, can we count Chester's Tropical Realm in this? Although it houses reptiles as well, it seems that the bird side of it is the vast majority. In there are 5? species of hornbill (Rhinoceros, Great Indian, Visayan tarictic, Wrinkled and Writhed) - several species in the top aviaries and I would say about 30 species of freeflight bird at least?
Otherwise, can we count Chester's Tropical Realm in this? Although it houses reptiles as well, it seems that the bird side of it is the vast majority. In there are 5? species of hornbill (Rhinoceros, Great Indian, Visayan tarictic, Wrinkled and Writhed) - several species in the top aviaries and I would say about 30 species of freeflight bird at least?
Fondly remembered, yes, but in the same league as Berlin, Wuppertal, Walsrode and co.? Not the same level at all, I'd say (the Tropical Realm has really always been the best of the two).
My personal favourite would have to be Wuppertal - though the NOP building mentioned by DDCorvus is also fascinating (if labelled rather minimally!).
@Sun Wukong: That is exactly the point (I would'nt call the Augsburg Bird House as bad either, and I'm absolutely agree that it has and do house interesting species. By the way: Where the different hummingbird species always visible for the visitors or were they kept behind the scenes?).
I think the bird house in Houston zoo should also be named.
@Pygathrix: Maybe I am wrong, but If I remember correctly, only the Nighthouse (about 10 species), the hummingbird house and the penguin house (about 6 or 7 species) in Jurong Bird Park are indoor exhibits. The South East Asian Birdhouse is (in my mind) not covered with a roof (or only little parts of it). And KCZoofan mentioned that he is not looking after outdoor aviaries.
I think the bird house in Houston zoo should also be named.
@Pygathrix: Maybe I am wrong, but If I remember correctly, only the Nighthouse (about 10 species), the hummingbird house and the penguin house (about 6 or 7 species) in Jurong Bird Park are indoor exhibits. The South East Asian Birdhouse is (in my mind) not covered with a roof (or only little parts of it). And KCZoofan mentioned that he is not looking after outdoor aviaries.
Miniaturezoo954
Well-Known Member
Hi KCZoofan,
I had a similar post some time back, mainly to get ideas for my project, i have visited a number of birdhouses in Zoos mainly, and there is many factors involved i believe. Number of species housed in the structure, Architectural design and style, number of exhibits, history of the place and many other factors.
I have visited some of the great birdhouse of Europe, many already mentioned here and in number of species housed, general layout and history the two that really stand out are Berlin Zoo's Birdhouse building and Frankfurt, with Berlin being superior in species housed there at and having an interesting layout. Frankfurt looking a little more modern and detailed.
But i seriously believe (keep in mind zoological buildings are my passion and especially birdhouses) that none rival World of Birds at the Bronx Zoo. If you place all of the categories together that make a bird building interesting from the visitors perspective Bronx takes it in my opinion. A strong number of species displayed. A large number of exhibits, a walk thru area withing the building, a massive structure by itself, my favorite aspect, naturalistic displays based on themes with excellent art murals in the exhibits, lots of detail and it has been going thru extensive remodeling phases, the last time i was there on Sep 2010, they had just opened the first floor and it looked fantastic, the second floor was still close and it is still close i believe.
The only area that this birdhouse lacks is the Historical Architectural importance, yet that is the very area that makes it unique, the building is very unique.
Below pics of the World of Bird Bronx Zoo
I had a similar post some time back, mainly to get ideas for my project, i have visited a number of birdhouses in Zoos mainly, and there is many factors involved i believe. Number of species housed in the structure, Architectural design and style, number of exhibits, history of the place and many other factors.
I have visited some of the great birdhouse of Europe, many already mentioned here and in number of species housed, general layout and history the two that really stand out are Berlin Zoo's Birdhouse building and Frankfurt, with Berlin being superior in species housed there at and having an interesting layout. Frankfurt looking a little more modern and detailed.
But i seriously believe (keep in mind zoological buildings are my passion and especially birdhouses) that none rival World of Birds at the Bronx Zoo. If you place all of the categories together that make a bird building interesting from the visitors perspective Bronx takes it in my opinion. A strong number of species displayed. A large number of exhibits, a walk thru area withing the building, a massive structure by itself, my favorite aspect, naturalistic displays based on themes with excellent art murals in the exhibits, lots of detail and it has been going thru extensive remodeling phases, the last time i was there on Sep 2010, they had just opened the first floor and it looked fantastic, the second floor was still close and it is still close i believe.
The only area that this birdhouse lacks is the Historical Architectural importance, yet that is the very area that makes it unique, the building is very unique.
Below pics of the World of Bird Bronx Zoo
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Miniaturezoo954
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Miniaturezoo954
Well-Known Member
It wasn't designed for the same purpose either, as the free-flight element was secondary and it was predominantly a large collection of undercover, enclosed aviaries, some of which had outdoor access.
I am in complete agreement that the World of Birds is, 40 years after opening, still at the top of the class of "traditional" bird houses (as opposed to the many immersion multi-taxa rainforests that have sprung up since WOB was built). It can be argued that even the building architecture is significant--it was very favorably reviewed by the New York Times Architecture critic when it opened, and is certainly a very good example of the mid-century modernist style, love it or hate it.
But from a pure collection standpoint, it's hard to overlook the Dallas World Aquarium, especially if one can access the off-exhibit roof-top breeding areas. The species variety and breeding successes there are off-the-charts astounding.
Miniaturezoo954
Well-Known Member
Dallas World Aquarium? i will have to check it out, very interesting.
I agree with you about world of Birds architectural style it is very unique, and i'm very familiar with its history, it did get some great reviews back then.
I agree with you about world of Birds architectural style it is very unique, and i'm very familiar with its history, it did get some great reviews back then.
KCZooFan
Well-Known Member
I am quite surprised no one has mentioned Saint Louis. The collection isn't outstanding, it has some nice architecture and interesting harp wire "cages".
http://www.zoochat.com/602/saint-louis-zoo-2010-general-view-191178/
http://www.zoochat.com/602/saint-louis-zoo-2010-general-view-191178/
The Cincinnati Zoo has a rather pleasant bird house called "Wings of the World". There are seperate areas and displays based on geographic regions including the Amazon, Australasia, Northern Seas, Southern Seas, among others. Though not the largest, the collection is rather nice.