Marathon Wild Bird Center

Address:

5550 Overseas Highway
Florida Keys, FL 33050

Phone:

(305) 743-8382

Description:

The Marathon Wild Bird Center is a hospital of sorts for injured pelicans, cormorants, egrets and other Keys birds. The staff care for their flock in hopes of returning them to their native habitats.  The primary goal is to rehabilitate birds, but also to educate and promote personal responsibility for our natural environment. We are all stewards of the environment, right?

The Center's location is also something of a historical landmark, amidst beautiful hammocks of trees. Tucked away in the heart of Marathon lies a 64-acre tropical oasis of hardwood trees, nature trails and educational displays for adults and children called Crane Point, a slightly elevated patch of land called a hammock where a Bahamian immigrant and his family set up homestead in the early 20th century.

Immigrant George Adderley and his family lived a simple life among exotic tropical trees such as the lignumvitae, whose incredibly hard wood was once used to make bowling balls. The Adderleys survived by making charcoal and gathering and selling sponges from the crystal clear waters of the Keys.

The Adderleys no longer live here, but their home and its beautiful surroundings remain. The Adderley home has been restored and is a popular stop along the 2.5 miles of trails and wooden walkways crisscrossing the hammock. Trolley tours of the botanic gardens and historic sites can also be arranged, but the walk is a dynamite way to get exercise and be outdoors.  Along the trail is where visitors find the Wild Bird Center.

Map:


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