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Location
Visitor tip
Buy nectar tickets upfront at the entrance before entering the avian center. Birds are accustomed to being fed and will come very close, making this a highlight interactive experience you won't want to miss.
Best time
Avoid visiting on very hot days as the walk-through habitats can become quite hot and humid, making the experience uncomfortable. Plan your zoo visit for cooler days or visit the avian center earlier in the day.
Visitor tip
Don't skip the McNeil Avian Center if you're a frequent zoo visitor—reviewers note it's easy to overlook but offers an engaging walk-through experience with over 100 exotic bird species and close-up encounters worth the visit.
Quick Facts
- Type
- Zoo - Avian Center
- Opened
- 2009
- Investment
- $17.5 million sanctuary
- Highlights
- Over 100 exotic bird species, walk-through habitats, bird feeding experience
What visitors say
Love the avian center. So many kinds of birds....just don't go in here on a hot day...you'll sweat! Lol. Also, it cann get rather loud, so if you are sensitive to bird sounds, you might want to carry ear plugs...especially if the…
Embark on a feathered journey at the McNeil Avian Center in the Philadelphia Zoo, where the air is alive with the songs and colors of exotic birds! Opened in 2009, this $17.5-million sanctuary is a paradise for bird lovers, offering…
The tickets to buy nectar is sold separately. It is just across the entrance, but it is good to know to do that upfront. Birds in here are accustomed to being fed so they come very close. Overall, fun experience.
From 50 Google reviews
Did You Know?
- McNeil Avian Center is a $17.5-million sanctuary that opened in 2009, featuring over 100 exotic avian species from across the globe in walk-through habitats
- The center includes a rainforest habitat with live cam access, allowing visitors to observe birds in a naturalistic environment with remote viewing capability
- Birds at McNeil Avian Center are accustomed to being hand-fed with nectar, allowing visitors to have close encounters with the avian species during interactive feeding experiences
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