Birds-of-Paradise in North America

pachyderm pro

pachyderm pro

Well-Known Member
5+ year member
With their vibrant colorations and unusually long plumage, birds-of-paradise are immensely popular among enthusiasts. Their scarcity in captivity makes them all the more alluring. As the North American population currently stands there are only five species held across 10 facilities all in the US and only one of them has more than a handful of holders. The following information is all from species lists and photos posted over the last year. Please feel free to make any corrections/additions below.

Lesser Bird-of-Paradise (3 Holders)
Bronx
Dallas World Aquarium
Fort Worth

Magnificent Bird-of-Paradise (2 Holders)
Honolulu
San Diego

Raggiana Bird-of-Paradise (8 Holders)
Brookfield
Dallas World Aquarium
Honolulu
National Aviary
San Antonio
San Diego
Sylvan Heights Bird Park
Toledo

Red Bird-of-Paradise (2 Holders)
Bronx
San Antonio

Superb Bird-of-Paradise (1 Holder)
San Diego

3 Species: San Diego
2 Species: Bronx, Dallas World Aquarium, Honolulu, San Antonio
1 Species: Brookfield, Fort Worth, National Aviary, Sylvan Heights Bird Park, Toledo
 
pachyderm pro said:
Raggiana Bird-of-Paradise (8 Holders)
Brookfield
Dallas World Aquarium
Honolulu
National Aviary
San Antonio
San Diego
Sylvan Heights Bird Park
Toledo
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Should also be at Cincinnati, LA, Miami, Philly, Pinola, SDZSP, and Tracy Aviary.

pachyderm pro said:
Superb Bird-of-Paradise (1 Holder)
San Diego
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I thought DWA, SDZSP, and Toledo also kept these, may be bts though.
 
ZooElephantsMan said:
Does Philadelphia no longer keep Raggiana Bird of Paradise?
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They do, I just overlooked them.
ThylacineAlive said:
Central Park keeps Superb.

~Thylo
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Wasn't sure if these guys were still around given they've always been off exhibit, correct? While on the topic, does Bronx still keep Raggiana BOP off exhibit?
Great Argus said:
Should also be at Cincinnati, LA, Miami, Philly, Pinola, SDZSP, and Tracy Aviary.


I thought DWA, SDZSP, and Toledo also kept these, may be bts though.
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Indeed there is at least one kept at Tracy Aviary. Wasn't familiar with Pinola Aviary so there very well may be some there as well, but the others are all likely off exhibit if they are still being held.

Thank you all for bringing these holders to my attention.
 
birdsandbats said:
Bts? None seen or signed on my visit this summer.
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Believe so. Many facilities keep this group bts for the sake of breeding.

pachyderm pro said:
While on the topic, does Bronx still keep Raggiana BOP off exhibit?
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Don't think they do.

pachyderm pro said:
Wasn't familiar with Pinola Aviary so there very well may be some there as well, but the others are all likely off exhibit if they are still being held.
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I suspect a lot of them are, for breeding purposes as I mentioned above.
 
Hope this does not confuse the thread, but are there any recent holders of note?

I am fairly certain I saw bird of paradise at some point as a young child (early 2000s) because I remember a sign saying they were one of only x facilities holding the subspecies. This would have had to be Lincoln Park, Brookfield, Milwaukee, or National for a stretch. I've always assumed it was Milwaukee but I'm reconsidering now if it was one of the others?
 
JVM said:
Hope this does not confuse the thread, but are there any recent holders of note?

I am fairly certain I saw bird of paradise at some point as a young child (early 2000s) because I remember a sign saying they were one of only x facilities holding the subspecies. This would have had to be Lincoln Park, Brookfield, Milwaukee, or National for a stretch. I've always assumed it was Milwaukee but I'm reconsidering now if it was one of the others?
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Brookfield kept Red Bird-of-Paradise for a long time in the Perching Bird House.
 
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One of my favorite birds, the facility showcasing them at Sylvan Heights is a real treat. I worked with them at Lowry Park/Zoo Tampa when they had Raggiana.
 
birdsandbats said:
Brookfield kept Red Bird-of-Paradise for a long time in the Perching Bird House.
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I looked into it and you are absolutely correct - there's still video online and articles about the animals breeding and stunningly the exhibit background looks exactly how I thought I'd remembered it, similar to how when I finally found photos of the old reptile house. It makes so much sense it was Perching Bird House at Brookfield but my mind is a little blown. I probably had several chances more to see this unique species I missed out on.
 
Updated list per the additions discussed above, totaling five species across 17 facilities.

*Kept off-exhibit

Lesser Bird-of-Paradise (3 Holders)
Bronx
Dallas World Aquarium
Fort Worth

Magnificent Bird-of-Paradise (2 Holders)
Honolulu
San Diego

Raggiana Bird-of-Paradise (15 Holders)
Brookfield
Cincinnati*
Dallas World Aquarium
Honolulu
Los Angeles*
Miami*
National Aviary
Philadelphia
Pinola Aviary
San Antonio
San Diego
San Diego Zoo Safari Park*
Sylvan Heights Bird Park
Toledo
Tracy Aviary

Red Bird-of-Paradise (2 Holders)
Bronx
San Antonio

Superb Bird-of-Paradise (2-5 Holders)
Central Park*
Dallas World Aquarium* (?)
San Diego
San Diego Zoo Safari Park*(?)
Toledo* (?)
 
pachyderm pro said:
Raggiana Bird-of-Paradise (15 Holders)
Brookfield
Cincinnati*
Dallas World Aquarium
Honolulu
Los Angeles*
Miami*
National Aviary
Philadelphia
Pinola Aviary
San Antonio
San Diego
San Diego Zoo Safari Park*
Sylvan Heights Bird Park
Toledo
Tracy Aviary
Click to expand...

Discovery Cove in Orlando, Florida currently has a single female of this species on display; and is one of the many free-flying birds that visitors can feed at certain times of the day.
 
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