Wild Waterfowl Conservation – Sylvan Heights Bird Park

Protecting endangered birds in the wild

BRAZILIAN MERGANSER RECOVERY

The elusive Brazilian Merganser not only ranks among the most endangered of all waterfowl, but rarest of all birds as well. Possibly fewer than 250 birds remain, and some conservationists fear that even this estimate may be optimistic.

TRINIDAD’S WILD WATERFOWL

In 2012, Sylvan Heights Bird Park was part of a project to help restore dwindling populations of White-faced Whistling Ducks and Bahama Pintail to the island of Trinidad.

ORINOCO GOOSE NEST BOXES

The Orinoco Goose Nestbox Project is administered through the Venezuelan Waterfowl Foundation. The Foundation’s mission is the conservation of the Andean river systems and the preservation of wild waterfowl in Venezuela, in particular the Torrent Duck and the Orinoco Goose.

Public and Professional Education

Sylvan Heights Bird Park is dedicated to advancing scientific knowledge about waterfowl and their habitats through public education, and through professional development programs for conservationists.

WORLD WATERFOWL DAY

In 2025, Sylvan Heights Bird Park established a national awareness day to support the global conservation and appreciation of waterfowl.

WATERFOWL CONSERVATION WORKSHOP

The Waterfowl Conservation Workshop was created in 2016 by Sylvan Heights Bird Park and the International Wild Waterfowl Association. The objectives of this event are to establish and support a network of professionals dedicated to the future of waterfowl conservation.

AVIAN HUSBANDRY & MANAGEMENT PROGRAM

Sylvan Heights Bird Park provides hands-on professional development programs to zoo and wildlife conservation professionals from around the world.

K-12TH GRADE EDUCATION PROGRAMS

Each year, thousands of students visit Sylvan Heights Bird Park to learn about ornithology, ecology, wetlands, conservation, and science. Our educators also visit classrooms throughout the region to present educational programs.

The Future of Conservation

Watch this video to learn more about the impact of our education programs.