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The Oregon Coast Aquarium is currently home to several birds! While most can be found in our seabird aviary, learn all about our different feathered friends below.
Tufted Puffins, Horned Puffins, Rhinoceros Auklets, Pigeon Guillemots, Common Murres and Black Oystercatchers reside in the Aquarium’s Aviary. Except for the Black Oystercatchers, these species are all members of the Alcid family. They spend most of their lives at sea, returning to rookeries along the coast in the spring to breed and raise their young. All of these species go through a molting process each year. Some birds go through a dramatic transition between breeding plumage and non-breeding plumage. For example, in the spring and summer a puffin’s bill becomes brightly colored, and the feathers on its face transition from black to a brilliant white. Tufted Puffins grow long, golden tufts above their eyes, and Horned Puffins grow distinct “eyelashes” above their eyes. Once breeding season is over, the birds molt again, sporting darker plumage throughout the fall and winter.
The Aquarium also has a few feathered ambassador animals! From pelican presentations to animal talks in our outdoor amphitheater, these birds do not have a public facing habitat but instead are brought out to help educate the public on their wild counterparts. Some of these are a Brown Pelican, a Barn Owl, and an American Kestrel.
Part of the care for our animals is helped by you! Donations, animal adoptions, donated enrichment items, and more all help to make a huge impact in our animals’ day to day lives.
