World Bird Sanctuary bustles with activity on 305 acres of Missouri hardwood forest, featuring our public buildings, avian exhibits and five hiking trails. We partner with the Missouri Department of Natural Resources for the use of our land, but otherwise operate as an independent non-profit organization.
Established in 1977, World Bird Sanctuary works to preserve and protect bird species around the world, while inspiring people to join us in our battle against the endangerment and extinction of species. As a 501(c)3 non-profit organization with over two hundred non-releasable birds in our care, and more than five hundred birds receiving medical care in our rehabilitation hospital every year for release back into the wild, our mission becomes quite an expensive labor of love.
During our forty-one-year tenure, we have contributed to bringing the Bald Eagle, Peregrine Falcon and American Barn Owl back from the brink of extinction by breeding those species at our sanctuary and releasing the matured young into the wild. We continue our conservation efforts to this day by working with endangered vultures, eagles, condors, owls and falcons. Meanwhile, our wildlife hospital has treated over 21,000 injured birds of prey and released over forty-three percent of those individuals back to the wild. Also, during this time, our education department has taught over one million people per year about the importance of birds of prey and their environment with our local and traveling education programming.
The birds in our care reside in the safest, state-of-the-art avian housing, receive the very best nutrition and veterinary care, and participate in educational programs for both their own enrichment and exercise, as well as for the education of our public. Our birds are treated as highly respected and valued members of our family, and their proper care is the first priority of every day at the sanctuary. Education birds receive proper time off from public life, they are trained with positive reinforcement techniques only, and if they do not wish to participate in programs, they are not forced to do so.
Our keepers and staff are well-trained leaders in their field. Our sanctuary is funded by donations from the public, and with earnings from our educational programs. We receive no local, county, state or federal funding. World Bird Sanctuary holds eleven federal (US Fish and Wildlife) and state (MO) permits and undergoes regular inspections of our facilities and operations by these entities.
World Bird Sanctuary has been the standard for raptor rehabilitation, conservation and education for over forty years.
Guided Tours
Allow one of our experts Naturalists to take you on a tour of our facilities. Learn about the past inhabitants of our area and meet our current residents. Tours last approximately 60 minutes and are limited to a group of 30 individuals. For rates and reservations please call (636) 225-4390 ext. 1001 or email education@worldbirdsanctuary.org
Free Seasonal Shows
Amazing Animal Encounters
every Saturday and Sunday from Memorial Day through Labor Day • 11:00 am and 3:00pm
at World Bird Sanctuary Amphitheater • Admission is FREE! • Sponsored by Ameren – Missouri.
Free, fun, family-friendly environmental education programs are presented by our naturalists, using snakes, parrots, birds and mammals to teach you about the amazing creatures that share our planet, and what we can do to help them survive.
During each 25 minute presentation you’ll get to meet some of the animals that call WBS home and even see some fly!
Bird Banding Demonstrations
Watch our field studies crew catch, band and release song birds on site as part of the World Bird Sanctuary Songbird Population Study! June through September • First & Third Thursday each month 8am-11am Learn More
Hiking Trails
Our trails range from easy to moderate, with the easy hikes being suitable for all ages. Hickory Trail starts at at the far end of the exhibit line and is .2 mile long. Tunnel Trail trailhead is located near the end of Hickory Trail and is .2 mile. Turtle Bob Trails starts near the Kathryn G. Favre Wildlife Hospital and is 1 mile long. The Chubb Trail, a horseback, bike and hiking trail, starts at the Chubb Trail parking lot, which is near the Lone Elk County Park entrance, and is 7 miles long one way. Water and snacks are available in our Raptique Gift Shop located in the Nature Center.
Map of World Bird Sanctuary
Picnic Pavilions
Pack a picnic breakfast, lunch or snack and enjoy it under one of our picnic shelters on Songbird Lane. We have surrounded the shelters with bird feeders, birdbaths and a butterfly garden, so you can enjoy the birds while you eat. You will also find nearby: McDonald’s, Steak ‘n Shake, Denny’s, Culvers, Bob Evans, Cracker Barrel, Krispy Kreme, Ruby Tuesdays, Taco Bell & Burger King.
Nature Center
Open from 10am – 4pm and may be closed periodically throughout the day for private paid programs. The World Bird Sanctuary’s Nature Center houses a variety of birds, mammals and reptiles for visitors to view and learn about. These animals are on display daily and include a rotating group of parrots from around the world (including “Arizona” the Thick Billed Parrot – a critically endangered parrot which may possibly still inhabit the South West United States), “Dorothy, Rose, Blanche and Sophia”, our three-toed box turtle troop, and “Batty and Scar”, our Straw-colored Fruit Bats.
Access to the Nature Center is provided by a carefully designed path with hand railings and lighting. There is also a special needs access trail that is paved and equipped with handrails and lighting.
Raptique Gift Shop
Located at the Visitor’s Center and offers nature-themed apparel, books, jewelry, toys and much more. Snacks and beverages are also available.
Activity Book
Want something fun to do with your kids or group during or after your visit? Grab an activity book and follow the self guided tour, play the World Bird Sanctuary scavenger hunt, color pictures, solve puzzles, and learn all about birds of prey and World Bird Sanctuary! 52 pages of activities and fun facts about raptors! Free with any booked education program! Just $3 for a digital copy and $6 for a printed. Buy Online Here
Kathryn G. Favre Wildlife Hospital
The Kathryn G. Favre Wildlife Hospital is closed to the general public. However, we have a patient viewing window where you can see some of the birds we are currently treating. We also offer private tours of the facility and open tours the first Saturday of the month for a suggested donation of $5. Please call (636) 861-1392 or email rehab@worldbirdsanctuary.org to schedule your private tour today.
Free Sensory Tote Bag
For persons who are blind or visually impaired. Available for sign-out at Visitor’s Center.
NO pets allowed
Please abide by this rule for the safety of our birds. Please call prior to visiting for special assistance (636) 225-4390.
Service Dogs
Service dogs are only allowed in certain areas on World Bird Sanctuary grounds. They cannot be in areas near our animals or birds in their display areas due to the fact they can be disruptive and cause undue stress to our animals. Please call prior to visiting for special assistance (636) 225-4390.
Q26. When might a service dog’s presence fundamentally alter the nature of a service or program provided to the public?
A. In most settings, the presence of a service animal will not result in a fundamental alteration. However, there are some exceptions. For example, at a boarding school, service animals could be restricted from a specific area of a dormitory reserved specifically for students with allergies to dog dander. At a zoo, service animals can be restricted from areas where the animals on display are the natural prey or natural predators of dogs, where the presence of a dog would be disruptive, causing the displayed animals to behave aggressively or become agitated. They cannot be restricted from other areas of the zoo.
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Nearby Attractions
What’s Nearby? Lone Elk County Park, Six Flags St. Louis, Hurricane Harbor, Endangered Wolf Sanctuary, and Chubb Trail.
