The Tracy Aviary is combining a fund-raising project with an educational activity and calling it a bird-a-thon.
Children and teens ages 7 to 15 are invited to participate in the event May 14. Participants will receive an information packet about 50 kinds of birds common to this area. Each bird comes with a color-by-number illustration and information about habits and habitats.On bird-a-thon day, each participant will be assigned to a group birdwalk in an effort to identify birds. Prizes will be offered in each age category to the participants who solicit the most pledges for bird sightings.
Tracy Aviary is one of only two municipally owned aviaries in the country. It has more than 220 varieties and 800 birds, giving the aviary the seventh-largest collection in the Western Hemisphere.
Fund-raising efforts will be used for capital improvements, as some of the existing structures have not been improved since the aviary was established 50 years ago.
For information, call 596-5034.