Immerse yourself in the Shorebird Aviary, where you can experience the beautiful sights and sounds of the coast!
Surrounded by bird calls and wetlands, observe the shorebirds up close while learning about their species and habitat.
Black-crowned Night Heron
Nycticorax nycticorax
Black-crowned Night Herons are stocky birds active at night or dusk, often seen flapping from daytime roosts to forage in wetlands. Adults have striking gray-and-black plumage and long white head plumes. These social birds breed in colonies of stick nests over water and can be found in fresh, salt, and brackish wetlands. They are the most widespread herons in the world.
Black Oystercatcher
Haematopus bachmani
On the Pacific Coast, oystercatchers can be found among rocks covered in mussels and barnacles. They have dark bodies, reddish bills, yellow eyes, and pink legs. Oystercatchers form pairs that last throughout the year and often fly over the water together, calling each other with pleasant whistles.
American Herring Gull
Larus smithsonianus
American Herring Gulls, with their gray-and-white bodies and pink legs, are the classic ‘seagulls’ we all know. You’ll see them circling fishing boats or squabbling at docks and parking lots. They’re the most familiar gulls along the North Atlantic and are common along much of coastal North America in winter.
Hooded Merganser
Lophodytes cucullatus
Hooded Mergansers are striking little ducks. Adult males have bold black-and-white patterns and chestnut flanks, while females sport a unique cinnamon crest. These ducks are commonly found on small ponds and rivers, diving for fish, crayfish, and other food with their thin, serrated bills.
Ring-billed Gull
Larus delawarensis
Ring-billed Gulls are skilled at catching food mid-air. They are often seen around parking lots, garbage dumps, and beaches, sometimes in large groups. Unlike many gulls, they nest inland near freshwater. You can identify them by a black band on their yellow bill.
Wood Duck
Aix sponsa
The Wood Duck is truly a sight to behold. Males shine in chestnut and green, with intricate patterns on each feather, while the females sport a distinct profile and delicate white eye markings. They’re one of the rare duck species with strong claws, allowing them to grip bark and perch on branches.
If you find an injured bird or animal, please visit Project Wildlife’s Wildlife Help Hub.
Since 1972, Project Wildlife’s dedicated staff and volunteers have given injured, orphaned, and sick wild animals a second chance at life. This commitment to helping wild animals has grown tremendously and Project Wildlife is now one of the largest wildlife rehabilitation organizations in the country. Our mission is to improve the quality of life for local wildlife and the community, serving as the primary resource for wild animal rehabilitation in San Diego County.