“Flights of Wonder” is a live show at Disney’s Animal Kingdom that uses free-flighted birds from all over the world. Arthur and I attended a performance on a recent visit to the zoo / theme park.
While waiting in line outside the outdoor theater, a cast member came out to talk with the crowd along with an avian ambassador, a Great Horned Owl. I spent an inordinate amount of time looking at the handler’s rather thin glove and one of the owl’s talons resting precariously on the cuff of said glove. Eek.
![GHOW](http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6008/6016336010_b5c2e1898f_z.jpg)
Great Horned Owl with small-gloved handler
The show takes place in the Asia-themed part of the park, and the stage was made to look like an Indian ruin.
![Stage](http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6143/6015783831_f146681ce8_z.jpg)
Flights of Wonder stage set
The performance began with birds like macaws, hornbills, toucans and others flying across or walking on the stage to a short narration about birds of the world. The birds flew from the sides of the stage and from holes in the stage itself. This first part starred birds alone; it was a few minutes before the human host came out.
![Grey Crowned Crane](http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6122/6015784183_d8d73f1164_z.jpg)
A free-flighted Grey Crowned Crane wowed the crowd
Throughout the rest of the program, different bird species were introduced, and we got to see more amazing free-flying (or free-running) birds, as well as some (somewhat) natural behaviors. For example, a Seriema came out and smashed a plastic figure on the ground several times. In the wild, these birds will beat prey like lizards on rocks before consuming them.
A couple of audience participation bits were cute but an added cast member for comedic relief really fell flat with me; the beautiful birds were enough “entertainment” for me. The audience seemed to like it, so if they get the show’s message of conservation, it’s all fine with me.
![Scarlet Macaws & Spectacled Owl](http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6148/6016337166_a1a52c7788_z.jpg)
Free-flighted Scarlet Macaws and handler with Spectacled Owl
The final bird of the show was a Bald Eagle (who stayed on the glove). Handlers also came out with a Bateleur and a Spectacled Owl, who remained on stage for the audience to have a closer look.
![Bateleur](http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6136/6015784783_ed54a7479c_z.jpg)
Handler with Bateleur (a species of eagle)
“Flights of Wonder” is a sleek show with a great variety of beautiful birds and a clear message of conservation. If you don’t mind some cheesy entertainment with your birds, you’ll probably enjoy this show, as I did.