Montana WILD Opens New Avian Walkway in Helena

The 3,600-square-foot facility offers raptors expanded outdoor access and improved natural habitats.

Updated on Oct. 22, 2026 in Bird Watching

Screen-print poster illustration of a spacious outdoor raptor enclosure with wooden perches, evoking a facility for wildlife welfare. — Montana WILD has opened a new 3,600-square-foot avian walkway in Helena, granting eagles, hawks, and owls access to expanded outdoor habitats. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Montana WILD has debuted a 3,600-square-foot avian walkway at its Helena facility to house ambassador raptors. This new addition allows birds such as eagles, hawks, falcons, and owls to move freely between indoor and outdoor spaces.

Why it matters

The upgrade replaces cramped, strictly indoor enclosures with an environment that offers raptors exposure to natural wind, sunlight, and outdoor views. This change is designed to improve the welfare of birds living in rehabilitation.

The new avian walkway spans 3,600 square feet, while the accompanying flight barn measures 1,160 square feet. Montana WILD annually provides educational programming to over 10,000 members of the public and 8,000 students.

The players

Montana WILD

This organization operates an education and wildlife rehabilitation center located in Helena.

Outdoor Legacy Foundation

This group is one of the project funders that supported the construction of the new avian facilities.

The details

The facility at 2668 Broadwater Avenue features specialized enclosures that grant birds the freedom to choose their environment. This infrastructure shift is supported by funding from the Montana Tourism Development grant program, the Nongame Wildlife Account, and the Outdoor Legacy Foundation.

The avian walkway is open daily from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
The Education Center is open weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Culture Shift

This facility upgrade reflects the growing industry-wide shift toward meeting the Association of Zoos and Aquariums husbandry standards for raptor housing. The project follows the pattern set by these standards by prioritizing environmental complexity for captive birds.

Visitors can access the new walkway daily to view ambassador raptors in their improved, more naturalistic habitats. The expanded space enhances the educational experience for the thousands of Helena residents and students who tour the center each year.

The takeaway

Providing birds with the autonomy to move between indoor and outdoor zones significantly enhances their daily quality of life. Enthusiasts can use this example of habitat design to better understand the complex environmental needs of raptors.