Frequently Asked Questions
First time visiting Sylvan Heights? Check out our FAQs and travel information to help plan your trip!
DINING, LODGING, AND LOCAL ATTRACTIONS
Find the perfect lunch spot or place to stay near Sylvan Heights Bird Park, and enhance your trip by exploring other attractions in our region.
LEARN MOREWHEN IS THE PARK OPEN?
Sylvan Heights Bird Park is open Tuesday – Sunday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. in the spring and summer, and 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. in the fall and winter. The park is closed on Mondays, except for Easter Monday, Memorial Day, and Labor Day. The park is also closed on Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.
HOW MUCH IS ADMISSION?
For current admission fees, please click here.
DO I NEED TO MAKE A RESERVATION?
Unless you are bringing a large group, a school group, or would like a guided tour, you do not need a reservation. Simply check in at the Visitor Center to pay admission, pick up your park map, and enjoy the birds!
HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO SEE THE PARK?
We recommend allowing at least two hours for your visit, but some people prefer to stay half a day or more! If you plan to visit in the afternoon, we recommend arriving no later than 3:00 p.m. (2:00 p.m. during winter hours) to ensure you have time to see all of the park and experience The Landing Zone, which closes at 4:00.
HOW MUCH WALKING IS INVOLVED, AND ARE THERE PLACES TO REST?
The park’s trails are approximately one mile in total, with plenty of benches and other places to rest along the way.
IS THE PARK WHEELCHAIR AND STROLLER ACCESSIBLE?
Yes. A wheelchair and stroller entrance is located on the right side of the Visitor Center. The majority of the park’s pathways are paved. Visitors with wheelchairs and strollers can access all of the park’s aviaries, and almost all of the nature trails. Our staff would be glad to provide information about the best route around the park when you check in.
DO YOU HAVE WHEELCHAIRS AVAILABLE TO USE?
Yes, we have non-motorized wheelchairs available in our Visitor Center on a first-come, first serve basis. There is no fee to use these wheelchairs during your visit.
DO YOU OFFER GUIDED TOURS?
We do! Advance reservations are required for guided tours and golf cart tours, and there is an additional fee. For more information, please click here.
HOW MUCH OF THE PARK IS OUTDOORS?
Aside from our Visitor Center, all of the park consists of outdoor, walk-through aviaries and nature trails. We recommend dressing appropriately for the weather on the day of your visit.
WHAT IF IT RAINS?
We’re open and you’ll be able to see the birds, regardless of the weather. Rainy days are often the most peaceful at the park! In the event of extreme weather (hurricanes, ice storms, etc.) we may close briefly for the safety of our guests. Please check our social media pages and website for updates after an extreme weather event.
WHAT WILL THE WEATHER BE LIKE ON THE DAY I VISIT?
This is one of our most frequently asked questions, and one that’s best left to the meteorologists! If you’re concerned about the weather, please check your favorite weather website/channel before visiting for a local forecast for Scotland Neck, NC (zip code 27874).
CAN I FEED THE BIRDS?
Yes! You can purchase food for hand-feeding the parakeets and flamingos in The Landing Zone, and duck food is available for purchase in the Visitor Center. Please do not bring any other food into the park to feed the birds – they require specialized diets!
WHAT IS THE BEST TIME OF YEAR TO VISIT?
Sylvan Heights Bird Park is open year-round, and each season is different! No matter what time of year you visit, you will see many birds from all over the world. Spring and summer are our busiest seasons, with birds hatching and gardens in bloom throughout the park. All of our tropical birds are on exhibit during warm weather, but the waterfowl may not be as showy in the summer. Fall and winter offer a more peaceful experience. Waterfowl are in peak plumage this time of year, and some birds even nest and raise young during the winter. Please note that some of our tropical birds may be off exhibit when daytime temperatures drop below 50 degrees Fahrenheit.
IS FOOD AVAILABLE AT THE PARK?
Yes! Visit the Duck Landing Cafe for hot dogs, sandwiches, snacks, and fun foods. Visit ducklandingcafe.com for cafe hours, menu, and more information. You are also welcome to bring your own lunch and use the shaded picnic areas in the park. In addition, there are several dining options in and around the town of Scotland Neck. For more information, please visit check the “Dining, Lodging, and Local Attractions” section at the top of this page.
ARE PETS ALLOWED?
No. For the safety of the many rare and endangered birds that call the park home, pets are not allowed in the park. Only working service animals are allowed in the park. Under the ADA, “a service animal is a dog that has been individually trained to work or perform tasks for assisting a person with a disability.” Pets, comfort animals, emotional support or therapy animals are not permitted at the park.
Park staff may request that a service dog experiencing difficulty or demonstrating problematic behaviors, such as barking or lunging, be removed from the park immediately for the safety of the birds and other visitors.
DO YOU OFFER DISCOUNTS FOR LARGE GROUPS/SCHOOL GROUPS?
We offer a special student rate for PreK – 12th grade education groups and field trips when booked in advance. For more information, or to book a field trip, please visit the “Education” section of our website.
IS PHOTOGRAPHY ALLOWED?
Absolutely! We encourage photography for personal and non-commercial purposes. For more information about photography at Sylvan Heights, including our Photo Policy, please click here. (Scroll to the bottom of the linked page to see our Photo Policy).
I FOUND AN ORPHANED/INJURED BIRD. CAN I BRING IT TO THE PARK?
At this time, we are unable to accept any injured or orphaned wild birds. Please do not bring wild birds to Sylvan Heights. Wild birds present a potential health danger to our birds, especially the rare and endangered species. For help with an orphaned or injured bird, please visit: https://www.ncwildlife.org/Injured-Wildlife
I HAVE A PET BIRD THAT I CAN NO LONGER CARE FOR. CAN YOU GIVE IT A HOME?
In most cases, no. While nearly all of the parrots on site are rescued pets, we receive so many requests to rehome pet birds that we simply do not have the space for all of them. We accept pet birds in very rare cases, and only if our aviculturists determine that the bird will be compatible in our aviaries. Otherwise, we recommend contacting a reputable parrot rescue organization near you.
Parrot re-homing resources:
Cape Fear Parrot Sanctuary (Pink Hill, NC)
https://capefearparrotsanctuary.org/
Companion Parrots Re-homed (Pineville, NC)
https://companionparrots.org/
Phoenix Landing Foundation (Maryland, Washington D.C., Virginia, North Carolina, and Northeast Florida)
https://www.phoenixlanding.org/
HOW TO FIND US
Address:
500 Sylvan Heights Park Way Scotland Neck, NC 27874
Phone:
+1 252 826 3186