Hixon Bird House

Your first impression as you enter this world of
birds is one of openness. A circular building, the
Hixon's central glass-domed area is planted
with large trees, shrubs and low plants and
contains a small pond. Stand and watch for a
minute or so and try to spot the beautiful thick-
billed euphonia, red-billed leiothrix or any of
the other birds that call this area home. As you
circle the building you discover a great number
of glass-fronted enclosures, each with a wire
mesh roof open to the air and elements.

Each enclosure is a diorama, painted, planted,
landscaped and decorated to house birds in an
environment as close as possible to their
natural habitat. Here you will encounter birds
from all parts of the world, from the deserts of
the American southwest (roadrunner, burrowing owl), coastal beaches (black-necked stilt, Inca tern), South American rain forest (quetzal, tinamou, sun bittern), the jungles of Asia (lesser green broadbill, fairy bluebird), to the African bush (Taveta golden weaver, Egyptian plover, jacana), and many others. One of few fully enclosed and cooled exhibits in San Antonio Zoo, The Hixon Bird House is a great place to sit, relax, cool off and enjoy the company of some of the world's fascinating feathered creatures. But, QUIET PLEASE! The free-flight birds are easily frightened by loud noises.