75 years of Avifauna (1950): much more than just birds
Last chance: Avifauna is open through November 2, 2025. So visit Avifauna during the autumn holidays with your children or grandchildren. It will be a wonderful day among the birds and small mammals in their natural habitat. In 2025, Avifauna Bird Park celebrates the 75th anniversary of its founding in 1950. What do you know about Avifauna, and have you visited this bird park before?
Birdlife
Avifauna Bird Park is a zoo in Alphen aan den Rijn with an emphasis on birds. The name avifauna refers to the part of the animal kingdom (fauna) that consists of birds (Aves in Latin). It was the first bird park in the world. In 2003, the park obtained a zoo license. Demonstrations with trained birds of prey are given in the park several times a day.
The park is densely vegetated, has ponds, a restaurant, and a playground with the tallest slide tower in the Netherlands. It was long owned by the Van der Valk group but has been a foundation since early 2012. Stichting Vogelpark Avifauna calls itself an institution for bird and nature conservation and has ANBI status. Boat trips can be taken from the park.
History
In August 1949, the mayor of Alphen aan den Rijn requested G. van den Brink, the owner of the Ten Rhijn estate, to display his private collection of exotic birds in the park behind his house to curious villagers on a one-off basis. This was a success, and Van den Brink decided to establish a bird park. Less than a year later, in 1950, the world's first bird park opened. The announcement posters featured a toekanaWhen Martien van der Valk took over the bird park a few years later, he decided to retain the toucan as the trademark. Not only for the bird park, but for his entire company.
The restaurant is located in the former residence of the Van den Brink family. Several characteristic parts of the original park remain intact, such as the row of trees at the entrance and the pond next to the park restaurant. An artwork was created from an old chestnut tree.
In 2005, approximately 21 birds perished in a fire. Stables and an adjacent house were completely destroyed. In 2008, a new grandstand was built for the bird demonstrations. A group was formed. Cuban flamingosIn 2013, Avifauna was divested by the Van der Valk group. Since then, it has been a non-profit foundation. Since 2014, three species of lemurs have also been kept in captivity at the park. Red pandas arrived in 2015. Since 2016, the zoo has also housed ring-tailed lemurs and wild guinea pigs.
In 2018, a kiwi was born in the park. It was a first for the Netherlands. Avifauna is one of the few zoos with Kiwi's in the collection. In 2020, a new cage was built for Steller's sea eagles and a South American pampa was added with vicuñas, black-necked swans, rheas, and crested coots. In 2024, an enclosure for meerkats was built.
New at Avifauna: Vulture Valley – Umvikeli
The enclosure has been given the Zulu name Umvikeli, which means 'protector'. This impressive 2000 m² aviary provides a safe haven for endangered Rüppell's vultures. The vultures live here together with white-headed vultures, hooded vultures, and vultures. Many other special African birds, such as hoopoos, secretary birds, and tricoloured glossy starlings, also inhabit the area. And recently, the maraboes and bat-eared foxes. It is a wonderful example of how Avifauna continues to innovate and invest in animal welfare.
Birds of Prey Logo
Avifauna has been a non-profit foundation since 2014 and invests in 5 non-profit goals: Bird Shelter, Nature Conservation, Biodiversity, Research and Education. The park wants to make this even more visible to visitors. The income from entrance fees directly benefits these important objectives. More information will therefore also be provided in the park on signage, but also during guided tours, bird demonstrations or feeding presentations.
The 5 symbols, elements of the logo, each represent 1 objective. The games stands for rescue. Avifauna provides rescue to birds that can no longer return to their original habitat, such as the group of rescued vultures that were intercepted before they were illegally traded. A new aviary is currently being built for this group.
De pelican stands for research. Avifauna facilitates scientific research that yields knowledge. For example, there are plans to launch an exploratory study into the possible reintroduction of the Dalmatian pelican in the Netherlands.
De ring-tailed lemur stands for biodiversity. Avifauna contributes to the conservation of various native and non-native animal and plant species. There is also a conservation program for this endangered species. A group of males lives in Avifauna that is regularly exchanged with zoos to produce offspring there.
The program child stands for education. Avifauna informs and motivates the public to protect the beautiful and vulnerable flora and fauna. In addition, the park organizes annual lessons on nature, the environment, and sustainability for more than 15.000 primary school pupils.
De ooievaar Finally, the owl replaces the owl and stands for supporting nature conservation projects worldwide. In addition, Avifauna promotes native nature in the park and the immediate surroundings. Here, several nature reserves in the region are managed together with local partners. The stork is a native species that is common in Avifauna, and its chicks are ringed. This allows more information to be collected about the species. Sources used:
- Avifauna.nl
- Franking machine stamps by Peter Janssen from www.frankeerstempel.nl
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