The Umgeni River Bird Park is situated on the bank of the Umgeni River in greater Durban enroute to Umhlanga Rocks. The Park hosts a large variety of bird life in large aviaries (four of which are walk-through), perform educational and entertaining bird shows for the public five days a week (excl. Mondays) and is involved in rare species breeding programmes. It is set in park-like environs with rock faces, waterfalls and sub-tropical vegetation including cycads and palms. Some birds are out on open perches, others are in large walk-through aviaries and the cranes and flamingos are in open paddocks. Rare species that are breeding are kept in aviaries to prevent injuries.

The rare and endangered species bred by the Park includes 23 species listed on the C.I.T.E.S. appendix 1 (conservation's highest protection status). Young chicks are fed hourly around the clock and you can watch this through a viewing window.

The Park, in conjunction with the South African Crane Working Group, are involved in a Wattled Crane breeding and release programme, where the critically endangered cranes bred by them are released near Dullstroom. Chicks are hand-reared with the use of a glove puppet, so that they "grow up as cranes and not thinking they are people". This is called imprinting. They are then taught by a "crane mom", who wears a crane suit for up to 8 hours a day, to be afraid of people and dogs. This is all to ensure that they are able to adapt and cope with life in the wild. There are just 250 of these birds left in the South African wilderness. Other species successfully bred here include the Palm Cockatoo, Leadbeater's Cockatoo, Golden Conure, Caninde Macaw, Hyacinth Macaw, Caribbean Flamingo and Palawan Peacock Pheasant.

If you prefer viewing birds in the wild then head to one of South Africa's national parks. We can also put together a special interest birding tour should you so require.

(source: some of the above information was adapted from the Umgeni River Bird Park's website - see link below).