Audubon Center for Birds of Prey

A great budget friendly outing that helps support wildlife conservation! Very informative and friendly staff. Loved the meet and greet! Even has a nice covered dock with picnic tables on the water, and an educational center for the little ones (or just to pop in for some AC) Can’t wait to come back and see the new habitat!

We’ve been living here for about 4 years now and finally had a chance to visit (mid-July, before the temporary closure). Since it is a relatively small place, the experience is more intimate and you have opportunities to engage with the knowledgeable staff. The highlight was getting to see a bald eagle up close and learn so much from the long time staff member who was handling the bird. Our daughter was amazed and appreciative of this opportunity! As a warning, there were some mosquitoes around, but it’s Florida in the summer so not really surprising, just might want to be prepared. If you’re a local or just in town for a bit, I recommend this unique educational experience!

An amazing local place where you can learn about local birds of prey. Very kind staff with a love for education. We really enjoyed (not only the grounds as a whole, but) the restored bungalow where the admission window is. There’s a lot to see inside with great views of birds hanging out through the windows. Our little child enjoyed the “bird rescue” play area and it was a nice way to get out of the heat. We will be back!

We thoroughly enjoyed our time here! Volunteer Phyllis was wonderfully friendly, knowledgeable, and welcoming, and answered all our questions. The birds as well as the view from the picnic pavilion on the lake are stunning. The work they do here for sick and injured birds of prey is so important and appreciated. A lovely peaceful way to spend a few hours among the birds and nature. Already planning to come back once the ospreys are back on exhibit! :)

The babies, the crew, the venue, the experience, all of it - Absolutely incredible. We got to see and learn about a couple of birds outside of their cages, it was amazing. Highly recommend visiting and supporting this place.

After living in Orlando for many years I finally got to visit the Audubon Center! It is a wonderful place to visit!!! Trees overhead keep it reasonable cool in the HOT Orlando sun. The staff is extremely friendly and well versed in Birds of Prey especially in Florida! Eagles, Falcons, Osprey and owls are in very large flight cages and cleaner than my house at times. If you're tired of the theme parks, the Audubon Center is definitely a bucket list item!

I love the work this center does for the Birds of Prey. They are a great place to support. They try their best to rescue and rehab the birds. These are the ones that couldn't be released back to the wild

This the gem of maitland/ winter park! Different birds who have been injured are brought to this Center to be rehabilitated and if deemed release of all they are released. The ones that you see on display all are deemed unreleasable but live wonderful And enriched lives with Rescuers and volunteers that truly our knowledgeable and care about every single one that comes into the facility and leaves. There are even options inside of the building if you would like to make a donation for each bird to have a special and unique toy that they would like so you can feel like you're a part of helping with their rescue as well! They're always looking for passionate volunteers if anyone is ever interested this is a wonderful place to go and it's definitely family-friendly! We will be back again and also in the fall for their night time owl event!

Took my birdy admirer here. We were told and read that because of hurricane Milton all their injured birds weren't there, only some. So we only got to see a handful maybe 6 or so.. we really wanted to see the owl but we think he may have been just hiding. The birds were pretty cool to observe and read about their story of being there. I wish we would have gotten some type of little tour or something though. I think it would have added a good msg for them however, I think the lady at the door was not up for it. Maybe it may have been a long day w the campers. The grounds are pretty small so nothing hard to walk and the lake has a large spot to sit and eat if you wanted. It was scorching out so I didn't think to but still a nice spot to soak in nature and support a good cause for 10 bucks at the same time.

I've always seen signs for the Birds of Prey but never knew where it was! We finally got the chance to come by a few weeks ago to take a closer look at some beautiful birds! Spent about an hour enjoying the property and chit chatting with all the birds. I can tell the people working there really love what they do and love to share all of their knowledge.

This place was absolutely awesome! We can't even express how great of a time we had over the weekend. It's neatly tucked away on the boarder of Eatonville and Maitland. There's free parking across the street and the place looks more like an old pre-k school or small library, than a bird rehab, sanctuary, educational and exhibit center. There were so many beautiful raptors and other birds at this wonderful place. Two of the young ladies who work there were gracious enough to put together an impromptu private meet and greet with one of their resident Great Horned Owls, named Henry! It was literally on my lady's bucket list so she was truly swept with emotions! What a truly life changing experience. Although small in size, this place is truly wonderful. Please go support!

5 Stars for a lovely activity for a nice Florida day featuring the coolest predators, the nicest staff and volunteers, and plenty of different little areas to keep you interested. Though the public section of this center isn't massive, it packs a punch with charismatic characters (like Frank, the bald eagle) and opportunities for close encounters with the type of birds you would normally never get close to. There's dedicated parking and once you arrive, you pay $10/person (unless you're a member). Right away you walk over to a large female bald eagle that warrants the bench in front of its enclosure. We must've spent 20 minutes just watching it move around within feet of us. Each enclosure has another one-three birds of prey including peregrine hawks, large owls, and osprey. There's also an old house turned into a front office with a back porch that houses teeny little predatory birds that are limited in how far they can go, but are out in the open of the screened in porch with you! All the birds on display are unable to be released into the wild due to injuries, but the center is primarily there for rehabilitating injured birds or babies to a point that they are able to be released into the wild again. Visitors likely see less than half of the center as there are portions that are off limits. But one thing I'd recommend is packing a picnic to eat on the covered dock area. It's large and has tables, and overlooks a stunning lake. I could've spent much more time just enjoying the scenery. Finally, the staff and volunteers were all so friendly and would offer to answer questions constantly. Tabi told us about the center when she stopped on her way to do something just because she saw we were curious. A long-time volunteer (David?) was holding one of the bald eagles and stayed to answer our questions and take pictures. He said he'd been volunteering over 15 years! It's clear everyone there loves the mission and wants to create a community that cares. They're very inviting. Overall, a great option for a nice outing and I will absolutely be back!

I had visited this place earlier this year and was blown away. Since then, I've become an annual passholder! The place isn't big, but it is an incredible opportunity to learn about birds and how their lives are impacted, often times by humans. A wonderful place to go for only $10 per adult.

This is a place that rehabilitates injured raptors and returns those that are 100% to the wild. Those that can't be made whole are given a place to live out their lives, in captivity. Under normal circumstances, many can be outside tethered during the day. When we visited, a barred owl had been seen in the area... making it unsafe for resident birds to be unsupervised. We were able to see 3 uncaged birds during our visit, 2 held by a gloved employee or volunteer, one in a side yard. The valuable work done by the center is supported by donations. It costs a lot to rehabilitate an injured bird and a lot to care for those that cannot be released. Don't begrudge this center for collecting a nominal fee for your visit.

Fun thing to do in the Maitland area! They had a few beautiful birds and a nice guidebook to tell you about each type of bird and the specific birds story in the conservation. Staff was really nice and helpful, Holly took a lot of time to show us some birds and answer questions.

We had a great time visiting the center a couple of days ago. My mom LOVES birds of prey so I bought a Groupon to visit here. The center is situated on a lakes and has beautiful views, plenty of parking and friendly staff. The facility is a self guided experience that has many species of birds and educational facts throughout the walk. It is wheelchair and stroller friendly. Inside the visitor center there are stories and x-rays of birds for kids to look at and a fun medical area that shows them how to do a medical exam on a bird and even has stuffed animals for them to practice! We spent about an hour here and we would definitely recommend a visit! Rating from F to A+++ I give it an A+++.

Visiting Birds of Prey is such a lovely experience! The facility is beautifully situated under a canopy of trees and fronts Lake Sybelia. While the facility is small, it is packed full of fun facts and behind the scene looks at treatment plans for injured birds. All of the birds on exhibit have been determined unfit for return to the wild so they are lucky to call the facility home. The enclosures are very well kept and seem to be a peaceful place for the birds. At the halfway point on the self guided path is a really nice pavilion with picnic tables facing the lake. Plenty of shade which makes for a great picnic spot if you want to pack lunch or snacks. All in all this is a really nice experience for folks of all ages. There are educational games for children located in the house on the center of the property. We were onsite for about an hour which was just enough time to see each bird and read all the signage. Entrance fees come at a very reasonable $8 per person which benefits their mission to provide excellent care to both the bird residents and those being rehabilitated for release. I will definitely plan to return! The staff made me feel very welcome and were extremely knowledgeable. They were quick with answers to our questions.

A needed a break from the normal hustle of the local area at my pace and it was sufficient for the weather. It's locate in the oldest historic neighborhood/town of Eatonville. I will be back soon.

I visited on a Tuesday afternoon, and there was ample parking, and I almost had the whole place to myself to explore. Upon entering, I was greeted warmly by Phyllis who gave me an overview of the care and rehab services the staff and volunteers provide for the birds. The birds they have permanently have all been deemed unable to be released back into the wild due to irreversible injury, and you can see some of that with the animals. They have all kinds of birds of prey that are found in Florida such as bald eagles, barred owls, peregrine falcones, kites, kestrels, vultures, and so much more! It took me about 1 hour to see everything but I took my time to get pictures, so it could probably take less. Overall, it was a very cool experience, and if I'd lived closer, I might even consider volunteering! Admission is $8, and donations are greatly appreciated and help with medical supplies and feed for the birds!

Small place but clean, large enclosures for rescued raptors. Beautiful owls and eagles.

I never knew this was here until I stumbled upon it as I was looking for things to do! this place is tucked away in a residential neighborhood. It's mostly a self-serve walk-through. There is a booklet you can take with you. There are signs describing what you'll see. These rescued birds are all fascinating and beautiful close up. Each has been deemed unable to live on their own in the wild; and we get to see them in person as a result. It's clean; well set-up; and a nice nature walk. Don't miss to get out on the dock and look down to see the fish and turtles as well.

An injured red tailed hawk found refuge in our backyard. The Audubon center was so helpful in taking in the bird and helping it to get rehabilitated. The staff was helpful in providing us updates about the hawk's condition. What a great organization.

My wife had purchased a groupon to the Audubon Center for Birds of Prey some time ago and we finally had an opportunity to use it. We came during the week which was a great idea because the center was at minimal capacity allowing us to bask in the beauty of these marvelous animals without all the crowds. Many of the birds have been injured hence the injuries prevent them from performing basic tasks and protecting themselves from other predators in their native environment. This conservatory focuses on Florida Raptors medical treatment, rehabilitation and the eventual release back into the wild. The Center provides structurally sound ample sized enclosures for the Raptors. Many of the Raptors are limited in where they can go (several feet) through the use of leather straps attached to their feet. I was informed that the center only does this for the safety of the birds during normal business hours however the birds are moved to one of the larger enclosures after business hours where they can roam freely. I feel the Audubon Center does their best to provide an educational experience for their patrons and a beautiful Sanctuary for their guests. Almost all of the people who work here are volunteers. Additionally, Charity Navigator has given the National Audubon Society a four-star rating (92%) and noted that 81.3% of the charity's total expenses are spent on the programs and services it delivers. Although you could walk through and see everything here rather quickly, my wife and I spent a little over an hour here watching the raptors. We were memorized in the beauty of these animals. We could have stayed longer but were on a timeframe. The highlights for me were: * Frank the "temperamental" Bald Eagle. The volunteer informed us that Frank will only let three handlers actually "handle" him. * The Barn Owl sitting out in the open. I am not sure of her name but she was gorgeous and would make eye contact with us (so sweet). * The Black Vulture named Uff-Da. Uff-Da would look at us spread her wings and make these little woofing sounds like our dog (so funny). All and all it was a great experience to see Raptors at a distance we are unable to view them in the wild (without binoculars). They are beautiful animals and I plan to make another trip out here in the future to support the center through my patronage.

Maitland is the home of Audubon in Florida. The first meeting was held on March 2, 1900. Illustrious early leaders of the society have included President Theodore Roosevelt, Florida's Governor, Rollins College's President, Stetson University's President, and the editors of the state's largest newspapers. Florida Audubon board member, Lisa von Borowsky, purchased this 3 acre property in 1959 that served as the Audubon's first permanent home. The historic 2 story wood frame house veranda bungalow was built in the 1920's by a builder named Patterson. The house was used for meetings, offices, and as a gift shop. In the 1970's gift shop manager Doris Mager began to care for injured birds brought to her by members from the community. To raise money for the center Doris Mager climbed into an inactive Bald Eagle nest and stayed there for six days and five nights. She wanted to bring awareness to the plight of the Bald Eagle. From this caring act and the donation of funds from Madelyn Baldwin and others, the Audubon Center for Birds of Prey was opened on October 19, 1979. The center is open year round 10 to 4, except for Mondays when they are closed. I was able to visit the center with my daughter on a recent trip to Winter Haven. The center takes in an average of 650 injured raptors a year. They rescue and rehabilitate the ones that can be released back into the wild and provide a permanent home for the ones that can't. Admission is $8 for adults and $5 for children but we purchased a Groupon. If I lived closer I would definitely purchase an annual family pass for $50. In addition to the birds they have a boardwalk at the back of the center that overlooks the wetlands. Some of the birds we got to see included eagles, owls, ospreys, kites, hawks, and vultures. Since they opened in 1979 they have released more than 40,000 birds back into the wild. They provide environmental programs to over 20,000 people annually and they are a nationally renowned research institute. It was a pleasure to see what they are doing here and to support their work. The Audubon center is leading the fight to save the endangered and threatened birds of prey.

4 stars for this Audobon Birds of Prey sanctuary. Beautiful property on a lake tucked away in Maitland. We came on a Thursday afternoon and it was so quiet and we felt the peacefulness. Some of the birds have been here for a while as they can no longer fly but they are well taken care of. The cost to get in is $8 per person and we were here for about one and a half hours. inside the main house they have a small gift shop in an area for kids to play and also plenty of bathrooms. Each bird has a unique name and its own story and they give you a book to read about the story as you meander your way through the park. I love reading about the bird's life it made me feel more connected to them. Some of those stories were pretty sad so be prepared, this is a sanctuary for injured Birds. These people are doing amazing things for these birds and releasing hundreds back into the wild every year. The bird seemed to feel happy they perked up when we with walk by! Well making crazy bird sounds helped. Haha. Love the hoot owls! Sometimes there is a Groupon for buy one get one so check this out if you want to save a little. A must see in Florida. A chance to see a bald eagles and owls up close and out of a cage!

Not the worst way to spend 30 minutes and $8 on a weekend. And I am happy to contribute, as you will be, to the preservation of these amazing animals. It is strange to find a center for birds of pray in a sleepy neighborhood in Maitland, but there you have it. Tickets can be purchased online and I think the team on-site does a very good job with not only caring for the birds, but also social distancing. Upon arrival, you can scan a QR code for the very informative Guidebook. Sadly, some displays are closed due to COVID, but c'mon, who doesn't love looking at owls? They are wild! A nice little walkabout for friends and family. Enjoy!

Very well maintained facility and the birds are well cared for. Was amazed to learn it's run by just a handful of staff. Can really tell these folks put their heart into their jobs.

This sanctuary houses and rehabilitates Birds of Prey. Those who can't be re-released into the wild spend their days loved on and carefully cared for by the amazing staff. It is a great place to bring the kids, bring a picnic lunch and learn about our native Raptors. If it is not busy, it is easy to maneuver and is a couple of hours max. Admission is low and know that everything you pay is for the rehab of the birds and to run the place. We donated more, these birds are worth it!

Amazing staff providing rehabilitation for injured birds of prey as well as a permanent home for those can't be released to the wild. The center is well laid out with an extensive aviary area. You can see the birds up close and learn about them. While there staff members were handling the some of the birds outside of their housing which allowed great photos. The center does great work in protecting and caring for the birds. Definitely give them a visit if your in the Orlando area.

An oasis for every bird nerd! We come here a few times a year for various events and always enjoy ourselves. The most recent event we attended is the Owl be Home for Christmas event and it was a good time. They had various craft stations for the kids (including an owl ornament station) and sold owl cookies. But the best part was the picture with Santa and one of their gorgeous owls! That's not a picture you can get anywhere. Besides events like this the center is a place where raptors can receive the highest care and attention so that they can be released back into the wild. I have voluntered here before and know for certain that the people who work here are passionate about what they do and care completely for these birds. The ones that can't be released stay at the center and are ambassadors that educate the public on the importance of raptors and allow people to awe in their beauty. The eagles are my favorite And the owls I have also brought injured birds here before and they received immediate care and rehab. Love this place a lot and will always support their endeavors. Thank you!

The staff here have been rude every single time I have visited. Finally I just felt like I had enough and decided to write this review. It is a tiny space and would otherwise make a sweet short morning activity but instead the staff are short and gruff every time we come. Couldn't bring myself to give it 1 star because I am a bird lover.

Any sanctuary that helps wildlife recover or live out their days in relative peace and comfort deserves a solid 5 stars. We have visited this place a few times as we want to support their cause. The visit is always educational and chill. You can stroll through the facilities and see and learn about these amazing creatures and also relax in nature. If you live in the are or find yourself visiting, make it a point to stop by the Audubon Center for Birds of Prey, you will feel good about being a good human and will definitely enjoy your time here.

Not enough birds there but it might have been because only the injured birds stay there but there two beautiful eagles when you first come in. Nice place..

I love birds and especially raptor. My rating reflects the center's exhibits that you pay for and not the centers great service which you should donate to. $14 per adult for something this small is steep. The center doesn't operate by admissions, so make it more accessible to folks who aren't tourists and lower the fee. In one hour you will be done. Very small, but well maintained. Turned a house and grounds in a neighborhood into a bird rescue center. Really liked close up views and the ability to study differences between species that are typically hard to differentiate. Would be good ( or bad if you think what is necessary for it to happen) to see more hawk variety. They give you a well made laminated guide to each bird with their species name and humanized name. At the end, they will bring out one of a variety of raptors for close up views if they aren't real busy. The kids loved that. Love their mission - donate! Center a bit small and brief if you are not an avid birder or nature lover.

Beautiful, peaceful and educational place to see some exotic birds. It is amazing to see the national bird so close up. Owls are always amazing to look at. Falcons and hawks as well. Small location, so can complete within an hour. If you are going, bring some donated supplies. List is on their website.

This is a really quaint place hidden in Maitland. The center takes in injured birds and either takes care of them until they can be released in the wild, or in some cases, takes care of them for the rest of their lives. If you are a bird lover, this place is definitely for you. The center is located in in the Maitland/Eatonville area with a small parking lot directly across the street. There is a $5 admission charge, and you'll want to set aside about an hour or maybe two to walk around. They have everything from owls to hawks to bald eagles. If you go in the middle of the day, the birds are many times in the back of their cages and you can't get a good view of them. Sometimes they will take birds out of their cages for visitors to get a closer look and take photos. Inside the center, they have a lot of information about birds and what they do at the center. The staff are also very knowledgeable. They have a great event in May each year called the Baby Owl Shower. Bring in a donation (usually things like paper towels, baby food, or supplies for the center) and you get free admission. They also have some cute things for kids to do, and they will have more birds out of their cages for people to see. I would definitely recommend going to this event. The date is posted on their website as it gets closer.

Great cause. Support injured birds of prey, see them up close being taken care of by caring volunteers. Very cheap cost of admission. $8 individual or $50 annual pass for family of 4 at time of this writing. Takes about 1-2 hour leisurely stroll. Be sure to follow along the guidebook so as to learn the names and stories of the birds. All birds seemed well taken care of. Some birds are babies some are more than 30 years old. They seemed very conscientious regarding COVID and Employees had masks and there were several hand sanitizing stations. Consider donating as well.

We were very impressed with the Audubon Center. I had wanted to go here before but could not find it, this was quite a while ago, as in before everyone had gps on their phones. We were looking for something inexpensive to do with the kids and decided that this would be interesting and educational for us and them. It was pretty great! I have this obsession with birds of prey and was thrilled at how close you could get to some of them. I would recommend this place for anyone with kids and with an interest in animals. My understanding is that the proceeds go to caring for and rehabilitating (and releasing if they can) these impressive and beautiful birds.

I guess it was good they did not have many birds to see. I would suggest not going and giving them a dollar or two . No one there to help you

Do NOT take injured birds here they will not attempt to treat them they will just euthanize. Very disappointed with an organization that says they are trying to help birds. I would give 0 stars if I could.

Great treat for everyone in the family. This is not a petting zoo. The animals are wild and are handled by trainers only after many hours of training and acclamation. That said, this is a great place to spend a few hours. The volunteer staff is super. You learn things about birds of prey that you never knew (like an owl's eyes are fixed in his head, so instead of moving his eyes, he has to move his whole head.) Having grabbed a on-line coupon, the cost was way more than reasonable. They provide booklets which explain each species and how each 'guest' came to be at the facility. A must do event for young and old alike.

This hidden gem is one of my favorite places in the Orlando area. I have adopted a bird on the website and brought medical supplies donations for the birds. I love how this place helps rehabilitate and releases injured birds. The birds that can't be released (like missing an eye) become bird ambassadors for visitors. I've went the Baby Owl Shower event there recently. My son had a blast filling out his bird passport with the stamps at the different stations. I go here when there is events so the bird ambassadors are out. I also enjoy the Back to School Bird Bash event.

It was my first time to visit this bird sanctuary today. While my mother in-law and my daughter had been here few times in the past. We went past noon and it was not busy. We were given info cards with names of the birds and their stories here. In the beginning, I thought the adult entrance fee was kinda pricey but later on found out this center rehabilitates injured birds, set them free and keeps some that cannot be set back to wild life + they have to keep on taking care of the permanently disable birds in the center and of course to keep up with the staff. My daughter really enjoyed seeing the birds, although she may not be able to understand yet, we just love her waving and talking to some birds particularly the owl at the back of the house. No wonder why both of my parents in-law love this bird center.

(1/24/2019) We brought our birding, non-theme park interested, out of town family here. It was fascinating. Got to learn all about the different native raptors in Florida and even meet them up close. It's very important work they do here, and unfortunately, so much of it to be done. I hope they get more exposure, which equals more funding, so they can expand their works. Really a bargain for the price, which is a pittance.

As other reviewers have said, this is not a place that you should expect to spend all day, nor is it particularly easy to find. I can tell you though, if you have enough of an interest in birds to come out here, you won't be disappointed. For various reasons, none of these animals that are visible to you can be safely released into the wild. They are all fascinating creatures: bald eagles, barred owls, red-tailed hawks, northern caracaras, and on and on. I have added photos of some of these animals, all taken at this location. The people working here are extremely knowledgeable and have always been willing to discuss the birds with you, sometimes bringing them out so you can get a closer look while they tell you all about them. Nature lovers can't go wrong here. Small price of admission and a large sense that your money has been well spent supporting a good cause.

Im from out of town and visited here with my mom last week. The pros the birds are in help of need and they are beautiful. Cons small place walked it all in 5 minutes and we were disappointed that there was nothing else. Suggestion Lilly park around the corner was a sure SURPRISE FOR NATURE WALKING DONT PASS THIS PARK UP

I came here with my mom and daughter. I have never seen a eagle before and I saw one today. There is a cute little house on the property and a small covered dock. I enjoyed my time with my family.

This place was such an amazing experience. It's small and was a totally unexpected highlight of our Orlando vacation. The people there are so passionate about what they do, which is rescuing injured birds and trying to rehabilitate them back into the wild. They have a miniature screech owl that is just about the most beautiful thing I've ever seen. Check out this photo, his name is Stanford

Really enjoyed our time here. I noticed someone mention they thought the price point was too $$$ for admission. We went on 1/31/15 and a group of 3 rang up at $15. As far as I'm concerned that was quite fair. Lovely staff, informative and eager to answer any questions we had. The residents were great, saw a variety of amazing birds of prey. A couple of bald eagles, some owls, hawks, vultures. A nice outing indeed.

This facility is very well maintained and the volunteers are extremely knowledgeable. My fiancé and I had a great time and we were able to walk the grounds in just under two hours; we took our time. Beautiful birds with a lot of great educational information. We hope to visit again soon and highly recommend to everyone in the area.

My family were every excited to visit the Birds of Prey center. The volunteers at the desk were super knowledgeable and friendly. The center is small, but has some of the most beautiful birds of prey I have ever seen. This is a great Staycation opportunity for visitors of all ages!

Although not as large as some of the bird sanctuaries I have visited in the past, I had a blast here. Volunteers were very friendly and took time to chat to us about the facility. We took about two hours but we took our time and watched the birds for a little while. Well maintained and very informative. We didn't have any children with us but I would imagine this is a great place to bring kids. The mission of this place is great and I highly recommend for an hour or so of fun.

Great place to see birds up close, and learn about local wildlife and the work this society is doing to help protect birds in the wild and nurse injured birds back to health. The whole place is very well designed and kept, and offers a wonderful opportunity to learn and have a relaxing time. Entrance fee is $8 per adult.

This Audubon center for birds and prey is not one I'd recommend for bird lovers. Several of the birds are tied down by one of their legs. The person selling tickets let us know that one of them has been tied down in the same spot (not able to fly in an enclosure) for 31 years. While we understand that these birds are not able to be released into the wild, having them chained up and only given about three feet of length of cord to move around is inhumane. An enclosure would be much better suited so these birds can fly around a bit. Do not come here if you are an animal enthusiast.

This is a fantastic place to spend an hour or two. You don't need a lot of time here, but if you have it, you can definitely spend some good time here. This is mostly out doors. They hand you a plastic coated guide book which tells about each of the species of raptors at the sanctuary, along with pictures of specific birds, why they are there, and their name. Our group of 9 enjoyed strolling past the aviaries to see each of the different birds. The best bet is to see if any staff are available to converse. We definitely got to learn a lot more because we spent time with some of the volunteers who run the center. Also note that volunteers have to be incredibly dedicated - a minimum of 1 year before you can even begin to think of handling a bird, due to the long memory that these various birds have. So by the time you talk to them, it's likely the docent would know a great deal. It's also gratifying to note that none of these birds could exist in the wild, all having been injured, imprinted or abandoned. You get a real sense of mission from the sanctuary, and great respect for each of these magnificent birds. The facility is clean and on a beautiful lake-side setting. We were there on a cold & windy day, and Florida can be rainy in the summer, so dress appropriately. There is a small indoor area with videos, and a window overlooking a garden. This also has a very very small gift shop, with inexpensive items to support the sanctuary's mission. In the front entrance, ask to see if a volunteer is available to bring birds out to show. That definitely made the trip. There's some seating out in this area for groups to sit and listen. We'll be back for repeat visits. Appropriate for all ages.

I'm a big fan of any place that devotes their energy and time to helping save wildlife, birds especially! It is kind of a small place, and yes, there is an admission fee. The last time I was here it was about $5 a person. It's usually pretty quiet, so you can wander around the aviarys and see all their birds at your leisure. The grounds are nice, and all the birds look happy and healthy. The property is on a lake, and you can walk out on the dock and take in the scenery. If you have a favorite bird, ask one of the staff, they can usually give you an up close look!

We don't go to the Audubon Center for Birds of Prey very often - but every time we do, we're left wondering why we don't go more often. Tucked back in a residential neighborhood, it's a little hard to find, but just follow the small signs to this gem. It's a pretty small place - if you stop to look at, read and watch everything and talk to everyone, you might be able to spend a total of about two hours here. That's OK though - those will be two hours well spent. View and learn about the various birds that they've rescued and rehabbed. Come at the right times of the year, and you might even see babies. All total, there are about a dozen or so free flight aviaries along with a building to do some reading and video watching about the birds. During every visit we've made, they've brought out at least one bird to view and discuss up close. The volunteers here are all very knowledgeable about the birds and can answer any question you throw at them.