The Audubon Center for Birds of Prey, a three-acre lakefront facility in Maitland, Florida, will break ground on a major renovation to its oldest aviary later this year. The original aviary was built in 1979—an octagonal wood structure with eight wedge-shaped enclosures. Today it hosts three aviaries for permanent resident Barred Owls, Great Horned Owls, and a Black Vulture. These raptors and thousands of annual visitors to the Center are at the forefront of the new construction.

To design the space, the Center is working with landscape architecture firm Coyle & Caron, whose past clients include the Smithsonian National Zoo, Bok Tower Gardens, Orlando Health, and Zoo New England. “Coyle & Caron’s expertise has been extremely valuable as we navigate our space and redesign to function better for our birds, staff, and visitors,” says Katie Gill Warner, director of the Center for Birds of Prey.

The new design will inspire guests by connecting them with nature. Each enclosure mimics the species’ natural habitat and offers unobstructed views so visitors can easily observe bird behaviors. A covered viewing shelter provides an opportunity to sit and observe the birds for longer periods of time. Staff look forward to the changes, too: The updated design gives them easier access to the birds for training and husbandry.

Resident Barred Owls Fil and Hitch will enjoy a built-in nest box in their new home. The pair act as foster parents for orphaned owls each spring, raising them until they are ready to fledge. Black Vulture resident Uff-Da will be able to show off her skills—like color identification—in training sessions that will be visible to guests.

The Center has raised 40% of its $650,000 goal for the project. Naming opportunities are still available. Contact Anny Shepard at anny.shepard@audubon.org for more information. The Center will be closed for several months during the construction later this year, with an anticipated reopening sometime in early 2025.

Support the aviary project at cbop.audubon.org/owlaviary.

This article originally appeared in the Summer edition of the Naturalist. To read the full magazine, click here.