Large aviary, Aviary in a zoo in the 12th arrondissement, Paris, France
The Grande volière is a walk-through aviary inside the Paris zoo, located in the 12th arrondissement, where birds fly freely in a space filled with trees and natural plantings. The structure rises to about 40 feet (12 meters) and uses large glass panels to let in natural light from above.
The Parc zoologique de Paris first opened in 1934 and is one of the oldest zoos in France. The Grande volière was completed and opened in 2014 as part of a full renovation of the park.
Many visitors are surprised by how close they can get to birds flying freely overhead, including flamingos and rare species like the northern bald ibis. The ibis is nearly gone from the wild, which gives the space a meaning that goes beyond a simple bird exhibit.
The aviary is inside the Parc zoologique de Paris, which requires an entry ticket. A morning visit tends to be rewarding since the birds are most active early in the day.
In spring, keepers place plaster eggs in the nests of brooding birds so the real eggs can be safely removed and raised behind the scenes. This method protects the chicks from disturbance and improves survival rates for rare species.
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