News and Stories

Each year, International Migratory Bird Day is celebrated on the second Saturday in May, just as the orioles, warblers, tanagers and hummingbirds are returning to Cincinnati. About 200 bird species fly south to Central and South America in search of nourishment during the winter. In the spring, they return to the United States and Canada to breed and raise a family when the days are long and our backyards are bursting with insects, flowers, and fruits to eat. Some stay in Ohio for the summer, but many just stop to rest and feed along the way.

What better way is there to celebrate the return of our migratory birds than to get outside and go birding? Birdwatching is a great way to connect with nature and learn more about the wildlife around you. Grab some binoculars, a field guide and a notebook to record your sightings and get outside!

In addition to our local parks, wetlands and woodlands, the Zoo is a fantastic place to see native birds. Our lushly planted grounds, featuring a diversity of native trees and plants, attract plenty of winged wonders from warblers to waterfowl to raptors. Last year, I even personally witnessed a bald eagle flying over the Zoo. Be on the lookout especially along the edge of Swan Lake, by the Native Plants Garden, and in the Wolf Woods exhibit area. Who says the Zoo is just for viewing exotic wildlife?

Migratory birds face many challenges along their journey, one of which is finding safe places to rest and refuel on the way. Why not make your space a more bird-friendly place? Whether you have a large backyard or just an apartment window, you can make a difference. For example, you can go wild by landscaping your yard with native trees, bushes and flowers or simply offer native plants in window boxes. Set up bird feeders and baths, and keep your cat indoors (these non-natural predators kill billions of birds every year).

Here at the Zoo, we have embarked on a two-year process of renovating the public space within the Wings of the World exhibit (aka Bird House) to enhance our ability to connect guests to nature through our feathered friends and encourage them to become better bird neighbors. Though you won’t see any permanent changes to the building until next spring, we are well into the research and planning stages, and we’d love to hear from you.

• How would you describe your connection to birds?
• Do you have a great bird story to share?
• What do you think we could do in the bird house to arouse your interest in birds and motivate you to become more aware of what’s going on in the bird world around you?

Your feedback will help us create the best experience possible!

(This project is made possible in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services.)