We had just finished visiting the Hermann Monument when we decided to head over to Vogelpark Heiligenkirchen, nestled at the foot of the monument in Detmold. As soon as we arrived at the bird park, my two-and-a-half-year-old daughter’s eyes lit up. Everywhere she looked, bright feathers and tiny creatures drew her in. The path wound through vibrant enclosures and large aviaries filled with birds from around the world. I discovered that the park is home to over a thousand animals, spanning roughly three hundred species—everything from pelicans and storks to rare hornbills, from colorful peacocks to towering cassowaries and the tiniest chicken chicks imaginable.
From the moment we stepped inside, my daughter was full of curiosity. She pointed to each bird and animal as though calling them by name, her little fingers guiding us along. She was brave enough to approach some of the creatures and cautious enough to stay close to my side. A parakeet perched on her hand before fluttering away, and a gentle kangaroo hopped by just a few steps off the path. It felt like a magical blend of zoo and fairy tale, where creatures from distant lands greeted us in a beautiful garden of flowers and aviaries.
At first, she seemed a little shy when a parrot landed nearby, but her curiosity outweighed her worry. She reached out, and the bird responded in kind, nuzzling her hand gently. This was the park’s great promise: direct contact with animals. It wasn’t just watching behind glass—it was real interaction, and it sparked a joy in her that I’ll never forget.
We discovered a special parakeet and small parrot aviary where birds ate right out of your hand. Bright green and blue wings brushed against my daughter’s palm, and for a moment, she just beamed in delight.
A little later, she toddled to the adventure playground. She climbed onto a toy car that squeaked when she pressed the horn, then hopped off to balance on a seesaw, and later pretended to ride an animal-shaped wooden figure. Each play activity turned into an exploration, and she aimed at birds and animals without missing a beat.
Then, we wandered through larger enclosures filled with pelicans snoozing by the water, storks standing tall on their long legs, cranes moving gracefully, and peacocks fanning brilliant tails. Emus and cassowaries loomed nearby, counting among the largest of the park’s fine collection. The mix of sizes—from the giants of the bird world to the humming-bee-sized chicks of the Chinese dwarf quail—was astonishing.
There was also a rearing station where you could see newly hatched chicks and watch baby parrots being fed at set times of the day. While we didn’t catch those feeding times exactly, we did wander close enough to sense the soft chirping and warmth of a nearby pen, a reminder of the circle of life unfolding before us.
Time flew by—literally. Our two hours at the Vogelpark passed faster than I expected. Each step led us to a new delight. She would dart forward, point, let out a giggle, or occasionally lean in close enough to ask me what the bird was called. I’d whisper back, teaching her about macaws, hornbills, kangaroos, and prairie dogs, and we’d both marvel at how she laughed when a small mammal dashed past us, so eager for its own sandwiches—or so it seemed.
By the end of our visit, she was slightly tired but content and full of stories: a parrot kissed her finger; a peacock curtsied; a wooden animal became her ride. As we walked toward the exit, she skipped, still pointing back at the aviaries, reluctant to let go of a day that had been pure joy.
Vogelpark Heiligenkirchen is more than a place to see animals. It is a living, breathing space where curiosity thrives, connections form, and a toddler takes bold steps into a world of wonder. Our visit was simple yet rich, quiet yet filled with discovery. Every colorful feather, every shy nudge of a wing, every playful moment at the toy car or seesaw wove together into two unforgettable hours. And though we left, I know the memory of her wide eyes, her laughter, her small hand brushing a bird’s feathers, will stay with us, echoing through many stories of wonder to come.
