Visitor Activities at The Center for Birds of Prey
Your visit generously provides operational support for the Center's educational, medical, conservation, and research initiatives. We hope that your experience here will inspire an appreciation for all wild birds and a genuine concern for the diminishing habitat upon which they—and we—depend.
Take a Tour: Guided tours of the captive collection are offered on Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 10:30 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. year-round. Your ticket purchase includes flight demonstrations and all-day access to the grounds.
Enjoy a Flight Demonstration: Watch hawks, falcons, owls, eagles, and vultures soar above the flight field and learn about their unique hunting and flying techniques. Flight demonstrations are offered on Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 11:30 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Demonstrations may be canceled or delayed in the event of inclement weather.
Exhibit Area: The grounds of the Center are designed as a campus. The exhibit area is pedestrian only, where visitors and students follow natural paths accentuated with subtle interpretive signage and attractive aviaries housing more than 40 species of eagles, falcons, owls, and other birds of prey from all parts of the world. The site includes open flying fields where birds can be observed in free flight, demonstrating the unique adaptations and characteristics of birds of prey. The natural behavior of raptors soaring, gliding, and diving in close proximity to audiences young and old represents a most unique and memorable learning experience.
Owl Wood: Owls are universally recognized as some of the most compelling ambassadors for the natural world. Funded through a generous grant from the Spaulding Paolozzi Foundation and encompassing approximately two acres on campus, the Countess Alicia Paolozzi Owl Wood allows visitors to experience owls from around the world in a refined and tranquil setting. Within and beyond the gates of the Owl Wood, the Center’s educators offer both day and night time programs featuring owls in free-flight. Those who experience the wonder of owls in this manner are profoundly moved and carry away a lasting and meaningful memory.
Hours/Tours:The Center for Birds of Prey is open year-round on Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Except for pre-arranged group visits, the facility is closed to the public Sunday through Wednesday.
Guided public tours are offered at 10:30 a.m. and 2:00 p.m., followed by free-flight demonstrations at 11:30 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.
Note: With the exception of service dogs for guests with disabilities, pets are not allowed on Center grounds.
Admission/Fees
Adults – $12.00
Youth (6 –18) – $10.00
Children under 6 free (must be accompanied by parent or guardian)
Purchase tickets online for tour, flight demonstration and grounds access or to purchase by phone, call Zerve at (800) 979-3370
Group Admission: Private group programs and rates available. Please call (843) 971-7474 for details.
Visa and Mastercard are accepted.
Driving Directions:
From Charleston—Follow U.S. Highway 17 North through Mt. Pleasant to Awendaw, approximately 12 miles north of Mt. Pleasant and 22 miles from downtown Charleston. Turn right on Seewee Road. Proceed 0.2 mile and turn right at the entrance to The Center for Birds of Prey at 4872 Seewee Road.
From Georgetown—Follow U.S. Highway 17 South through McClellanville to Awendaw. Turn left on Seewee Road. Proceed 0.2 mile and turn right at the entrance to The Center for Birds of Prey at 4872 Seewee Road.
See Google Map for more information.
Common Questions
How do admission fees support the center?
The Center is a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization supported solely through admissions, memberships, grants and contributions. Your admission fee provides crucial operational support for the Center's educational, medical, conservation and research initiatives.
Does the Center have restrooms?
Handicapped accessible restrooms are available on-site
Is food allowed on site?
Personal coolers are not allowed on site.
Where do visitors park? Is there a parking fee?
Free parking is available in the designated “Visitor Parking” area.
How long should one allow for a visit?
Visitors are encouraged to allow a minimum of two hours for a visit.
Is the center handicapped accessible?
Yes, the center maintains handicapped accessibility to most facilities.
Policies
Possession and exhibition of birds at The Center for Birds of Prey is by permission of the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.
Pets: With the exception of service dogs for guests with disabilities, pets are not allowed on Center grounds.
Cameras: Visitors are welcome to take photographs during their visit. Flash photography is allowed.
Food and Beverages: Personal coolers are not allowed on site. Two options are available within one-half mile of the Center. The Sewee Restaurant serves full course meals and/or light snacks. Deli sandwiches are available at the Sewee Outpost. The nearby towns of Mt. Pleasant and McClellanville offer a wide variety of dining experiences within minutes of the Center.
Smoking: The Center is a non-smoking facility.
Littering: Birds may ingest bits of metal, plastic or other litter they find. Please be careful with litter while you are visiting. Trash and recycling receptacles are located throughout our site.
Skateboards: No skateboards, rollerblades, bicycles, tricycles, or scooters are allowed past the admissions area of the Center.
Feathers: All migratory birds are protected by Federal and State laws, and permits are required for possession of their feathers. Visitors are not allowed to remove bird feathers from Center property. Please contact a staff member if you have questions regarding feather collection regulations.
Interacting with birds: We must be diligently respectful of the resident birds on display at all times. While the individual birds are well suited for close proximity to us in their role as ambassadors, we must refrain from reaching beyond guardrails, mimicking their sounds or movements, or making loud or sudden gestures in their presence.
