Avian Behavior Conservancy
Escondido, CA
- Admission
- —
- Accreditation
- None listed
not accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums
Everything below is directory information drawn from public sources and the zoo's own site.
Animals at Avian Behavior Conservancy
11 confirmed
Birds8
Invertebrates1
Feathers & Fangs from visitors
What people who've been to Avian Behavior Conservancy say
A Feather is something this zoo does well; a Fang is something it gets wrong. Left by people who've been, and read by us before they appear.
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About Avian Behavior Conservancy
Avian Behavior Conservancy, formerly Avian Behavior International, is located at 23945 Old Wagon Road in Escondido, California, north of San Diego near Lake Wohlford. Its website describes a 20-acre facility dedicated to education and conservation through interactive experiences with birds. It is open by appointment only and does not take walk-ins: visits are made only as part of a booked experience, reserved in advance through the FareHarbor booking system. It is not accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.
Exhibits and habitats
The website describes many species of free-flying owls, hawks, falcons, parrots, ravens, toucans and other birds, along with farm animals and reptiles. Its conservation page names the Southern ground hornbill, burrowing owl, Andean condor, raven and crane as the birds featured in its Conservation Experience, and states that its tours include a farm visit with chickens, goats and mini donkeys.
Conservation and programs
Booked experiences listed on the website include Birds of Prey and Owl Interactions, a Free Flight Macaw Experience, a Hornbill Hike, Animal Trainer for a Day, Picnic with the Parrots, Exotic Meet and Greet, the Art of Flight Experience, the Elite Bird Experience and the Conservation Experience. The Conservation Experience lasts 2.5 hours and combines bird interactions with a farm visit; the organization states that participation supports conservation organizations working to protect these species and their habitats.
The organization also hosts events and workshops, including falconry instruction from master falconers and classes on parrot behavior. It lists membership-based online courses, behavior consultations for caregivers and facilities, and kestrel monitoring and behavioral research among its work.
Planning your visit
Visits are booked in advance, with availability on the FareHarbor booking system linked from the website. The organization's phone number is (760) 800-3181. Prices are on the organization's website.
What we haven't confirmed
Everything above came from public sources. These specifics we haven't stood behind yet:
- Founding date and history
- Parking
- Details of the Kestrel Monitoring program
Avian Behavior Conservancy compared with nearby zoos
How Avian Behavior Conservancy lines up against other zoos in the same state. We don't have coordinates for it yet, so these aren't ranked by distance.
| Zoo | Admission | Hours | Size | AZA |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avian Behavior ConservancyThis zooEscondido, CA | — | Open by appointment only; no walk-ins. Visits are booked bird experiences (owl, falconry/raptor, parrot, family-friendly and specialty programs). | — | No |
| Applegate Park ZooMerced, CA | $4 | Thu–Sun 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM; closed Mon–Wed. Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's Day. | — | No |
| B Bryan PreservePoint Arena, CA | $25 | Open by reservation only, two tour times per day: 10:00 AM (Self-Guided Car Safari, 60 min, or Private Tour, 90 min) and 3:30 PM (Guided Land Rover Safari, 75 min). Giraffe Painting 1:30 PM on the first Saturday of each month. No drop-in visits. | — | No |
| Big Bear Alpine ZooBig Bear Lake, CA | $17 | 10am – 5pm | — | No |
Distances are straight-line. A dash means we haven't confirmed that detail yet, not that the zoo lacks it.
AZAThe Association of Zoos and Aquariums. Accredited members have passed an independent inspection of animal care and welfare, safety, conservation and education, repeated every five years. Many smaller facilities never apply, so “not accredited” isn't a verdict on its own. What accreditation means · How we check this
Avian Behavior Conservancy: common questions
Can visitors walk in?
No. The website states that it is open by appointment only; visits are by booked experience.
What is the organization's earlier name?
Avian Behavior International.
What birds are featured?
Owls, hawks, falcons, parrots, ravens and toucans, among other birds; its booked experiences also feature macaws and hornbills.
Is it AZA-accredited?
No.
Something wrong here? Tell us — we correct in place, with a dated note.