Avery Island is most well-known for being the birthplace of Tabasco. You can even visit the Tabasco factory and take a tour to learn how this iconic little bottle gets made. What you may not know is that there are plenty of fun things to do on Avery Island, especially for wildlife lovers. Within Jungle Gardens lies Bird City, a fascinating bird sanctuary in Louisiana that Theodore Roosevelt once called the "most noteworthy reserve in the country."
Bird City was founded by Edward Avery McIlhenny, the son of Tabasco founder Edmund McIlhenny.
Edward was born on the island and had been fascinated with ornithology from a young age. He even joined two separate Arctic expeditions (1894 and 1897) as an ornithologist. His passion for birds continued long after his expeditions, but perhaps his most important conservation efforts wouldn’t be until he took over the family business (Tabasco) around 1900.
It was after he returned from his first arctic expedition that he noticed a significant decrease in the number of egrets on Avery Island.
In the late 1800s, snowy egrets were on the brink of extinction due to plume hunters. Back then, the egret’s feathers were used for fashion, primarily women’s hats.
He established the Bird City wildfowl refuge around 1895, and it ultimately saved these beautiful birds from extinction.
He trapped several egrets, brought them back to the island and let them loose in an aviary he had built.
He released the birds the following fall so that they could migrate south for the winter, and just as he had hoped, many of them returned the following spring.
This time, they brought friends.
By 1911, the refuge had become a nesting site for thousands of egrets.
From the brink of extinction to thriving just like that! No wonder Bird City caught the eye (and praise) of Theodore Roosevelt.
Over 100 years later, and the egrets still return to Bird City every year.
The platforms get new bamboo every January, which is clearly a favorite for these birds to build their nests.
Snowy egrets return to Bird City as early as late January and fledge their young around June/July.
By the end of July, most of the birds have flown off, leaving the platforms and nesting areas vacant until next year.
While egrets definitely run the roost here (pun intended), it's not uncommon to see other birds on Avery Island.
Spoonbills, herons, and ducks are just a few feathered friends that thrive on the island. You could easily spend an afternoon wandering around Jungle Gardens. It's absolutely enchanting and just overflowing with wildlife. From egrets to gators, and even the occasional bear sighting, this place is a nature lover's paradise.
Learn more on the Jungle Gardens website and start planning your adventure today!
Are you ready to take a road trip to Avery Island? Here are 10 facts about Avery Island you may not know.
Subscribe to our newsletter
Get the latest updates and news
Thank you for subscribing!
