aviary

Everyday

1. An aviary is a large cage, building or enclosed space where birds are kept, big enough for them to fly about. tree →
2. Zoos and bird parks often have walk-through aviaries where visitors can walk among the birds. tree →

In the lessons

In science and nature lessons about birds, an aviary is where people keep and care for birds, sometimes to help rare birds breed. In everyday life, some families or neighbours have a small aviary for budgies or finches. Phrases: «walk-through aviary», «garden aviary».

Examples

• The zoo has a huge aviary full of parrots. tree →
• We walked through the aviary while birds flew over our heads. tree →
• Grandpa built an aviary for his budgies in the back garden. tree →
• The rare kakapo chicks were raised in an aviary. tree →
• The aviary netting stops the birds from escaping. tree →
• Feeding time at the aviary was noisy and colourful. tree →
• He next hastened to the aviary, and was almost deafened by the clamour that rose as he shut the door behind him. tree →

Note

Plural: aviaries (y changes to ies). Starts with a vowel sound, so «an aviary». Related: aviation (flying) comes from the same Latin word for bird, «avis». An aviary is for birds; an aquarium is for fish.