Waterfowl Sanctuary at Eagle Creek Park
Ornithology Center
ORNITHOLOGY CENTER
ABOUT THE Ornithology Center:
Every year, Eagle Creek Park’s Ornithology Center attracts from all over the U.S. and numerous countries worldwide!
Nestled just minutes away from downtown Indianapolis, visitors can find birds like bald eagles, great blue herons, double-crested cormorants, grebes, loons, and other amazing wildlife in the city.
The Ornithology Center sits on top of a bluff overlooking the bird sanctuary to the West – a large area of retained water separated from the reservoir by a cofferdam.
The facility is surrounded by a diverse habitat of deciduous woods, ponds, streams, grassland and wetlands, which makes birding rewarding at any time of year.
Support the Ornithology Center
The Ornithology Center Fund, managed by the Eagle Creek Park Foundation, supports the care of avian ambassadors, staff training, educational programming and much more.
Consider supporting the Ornithology Center Fund today!
ADMISSION:
Included with Eagle Creek Park admission
LOCATION:
6515 Delong Road, Indianapolis, IN 46278 >
CONTACT:
317.327.2473 (BIRD)
HOURS:
Tuesday – Saturday
10:00am-5:00pm
Sunday
1:00pm-5:00pm
ORNITHOLOGY
Ornithology is the study of birds – Eagle Creek Park is a birding hotspot!
Ornithology Center’s mission:
By providing exemplary care, husbandry, training, and enrichment for our Avian Ambassadors, we hope to foster a sense of wonder, enthusiasm, and stewardship for the natural world and to inspire action towards conserving the species that visitors encounter.
The Nation Audubon Society deems Eagle Creek Park an Important Bird Area, recognizing the Park’s important habitat for migratory and native birds alike. Check out their map of Important Bird Areas here.
OPERATING UNDER INDIANA DNR EDUCATION AND USFWS EAGLE EXHIBITION PERMITS.
Key Contributors to Ornithology Center
EAGLE CREEK PARK FOUNDATION
Bird Alliance of Central Indiana (formerly the Amos Butler Audubon Society)
Nature Sanctuary & Center, Inc
Wild Birds Unlimited
Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!
“Eagle Creek Park is excellent for spring songbird migration, with 30 species of warblers possible on a good day in the beautiful deciduous woods.”
– National Geographic’s Guide to Birding Spots of the United States
ACTIVITIES + EVENTS
Sunday Morning Bird Walks
Sundays, 9 – 11am
Bird walks are led by members of the Bird Alliance of Central Indiana (formerly the Amos Butler Audubon Society). Bring binoculars and dress for the weather! Walks take place rain or shine.
PLAN A FIELD TRIP
Call for available times
Please call 317-327-2473 or email to schedule. Scheduling happens mid-April with schedules available by mid-March at www.indyparks.org.
BUILDING FEATURES
Outdoor Migration Game
Follow the flyways of your favorite birds and face some obstacles along the way!
The Ornithology Center’s very own Kevin Carlsen designed this interactive educational area right outside of the Ornithology Center to supplement what children learn about migration in the classroom.
It’s a great way for families and children to gain a better understanding of the challenges birds face en route to their breeding ground.
The self-guided tour navigates by use of ropes, balance beams, climbing walls, and streams – all mimicking hazards birds might experience during their travels.
Observation Decks
There are three amazing observation decks at the Ornithology Center.
On the south end of the building, facing East there is a large outdoor observation deck and bird checklist with a detailed park map. Visitors can find out what birds have been spotted in the park, and learn how to locate them on a map.
From the back indoor observation room, facing East, you’ll find stunning views of the bird sanctuary, where it’s common to see a wide variety of birds, including up to 21 species of ducks, on their journey North.
From the North-facing indoor observation room, you can watch residents and migratory birds visit the bird feeders and hummingbird garden, and others, that find the water feature for a cool drink or quick bath.
Hands-On Exhibits
Inside of the air-conditioned building, there are displays and several hands-on kiosks.
Guests can learn more about individual birds, their calls, and migration patterns.
There is also an interactive detailed map of the park that shows where the best birding trails are located.
Support The Birds
The Ornithology Center Fund, managed by the Eagle Creek Park Foundation, supports the care of raptor ambassadors, staff training, and much more. Consider supporting the OC Fund today!
Indiana Birding Links
- Spanish Bird Checklist
- Bird Checklist
- Birdwatching Pamphlet with Trails
- Bird Alliance of Central Indiana (formerly the Amos Butler Audobon Society)
- Lights Out Indy
- Indiana Audubon Society
- Indiana Young Birders
- World Birding Center
- American Birding Association
Special thanks to Ornithology Center donors Bird Alliance of Central Indiana, Nature Sanctuary & Center Inc, Wild Birds Unlimited and Nina Mason Pulliam.
Building History
The original building served as the private library of J.K. Lilly, and then transitioned into Eagle Creek Park’s Nature Center for 30 years.
In 2010, it reopened as the Ornithology Center to focus primarily on birds and birdwatching.The Foundation funded all of the equipment, materials, and taxidermy used for the renovation.
That same year, the Indiana Parks and Recreation Association recognized the Ornithology Center as an “Outstanding Facility” for notable buildings and recreation complexes completed that year (costing less than $250,000).
Part of the building revival included developing an 800-square-foot exhibit hall to feature four distinct habitats (forest, grassland, pond, and wetland), which displays approximately 100 taxidermy birds in their natural settings complete with tranquil sounds of nature. The birds showcased are native to Indiana and for the most part, can all be seen in the park.
Since then, around 3,000 students study the beauty and behavior of birds every year through live bird of prey programs at schools, or during field trips to the Ornithology Center.
In addition, 150+ public programs are offered throughout the year as well. A new bird game was introduced recently by the Ornithology Center’s very own Kevin Carlsen, right in front of the facility.
MEET THE NATURALISTS
Jenna McElroy (she/her)
Park Manager, Ornithology Center
Jenna has worked at Eagle Creek since 2015 and is now the manager of the Ornithology Center.
More about Jenna
Jenna grew up in Greenwood, Indiana and attended Center Grove High School where she was both a show choir geek and a science nerd. Her parents were nature lovers and instilled that passion in Jenna and her sister from a very young age. When Jenna was in middle school, their family got into birding. Bedtime stories now involved reading bird guides, and, instead of listening to music in the car, they would listen to bird song CDs – and Jenna loved it! She earned her bachelor’s in biology from the University of Indianapolis and master’s in environmental science from Indiana University, focusing in Fish and Wildlife Ecology.
Jenna has worked at Eagle Creek since 2015 and is now the manager of the Ornithology Center. In 2021, she passed the exam to become a Certified Professional Bird Trainer through the International Avian Trainers Certification Board and loves working with the raptor ambassadors at the Ornithology Center. In her free time, she enjoys cooking, gardening, hanging out with her chickens, spending time with family, puzzles, camping, and attending show choir competitions with her husband – go North Central!
Donna Riner (she/her)
Assistant Park Manager, Ornithology Center
Donna thrives in the outdoors, connecting with nature and guiding others as they explore & discover Indiana’s diverse ecosystems.
MORE about Donna
Although she never considered herself a birder before joining the Ornithology Center, she now finds joy in spotting birds wherever she goes! Donna began her journey at Eagle Creek Park as an Environmental Education Camp Counselor at the Earth Discovery Center during the summers of 2020 and 2021. In 2021, she became a Naturalist, and in 2022, she was promoted to Assistant Park Manager of the Ornithology Center. She is passionate about creating fun and memorable nature-based camp experiences for youth each summer. Donna’s favorite part about her job is working with the center’s naturalists because she is constantly inspired by their creativity, passion, & knowledge of the natural world!
Recently certified as a Forest Therapy Guide, Donna integrates mental health awareness and the benefits of nature connection into all her programs, encouraging participants to foster relationships to place, each other, and themselves, while in nature. Advocating for language accessibility at Eagle Creek Park, Donna fosters connections with Spanish speaking visitors through bilingual nature programming and collaborates with ASL student interpreters to ensure inclusive community events are prioritized at the Ornithology Center.
Her background in environmental sciences includes forest research in New Hampshire’s White Mountains and studying soil ecology in the cloud forests of Monteverde, Costa Rica. She also gained hands-on experience in farming, teaching, and beekeeping while apprenticing with an urban farmer in Indianapolis. Donna graduated from DePauw University with a degree in Environmental Biology in 2020. In her free time, Donna loves attending concerts, gardening, practicing Spanish, skiing (both snow and water), playing volleyball, and cooking on a campfire amongst friends.
Aidan Rominger (he/him)
Naturalist, Ornithology Center
Aidan was born and raised in Indianapolis, IN, and has been visiting Eagle Creek his entire life.
More About Aidan
Since the young age of 4, he was fascinated with animals, with a particular fascination for birds. He started seriously birding when he was 11, after receiving his first pair of binoculars and a digital camera. Aidan always credits former Eagle Creek Ornithology Center naturalist, Kevin Carlsen, for kickstarting his birding career, acting as his birding mentor early on. At the age of 14, Aidan became the youngest birder in Indiana to see over 300 species of birds! Following his big year, he was awarded Indiana young birder of the year in 2015.
Aidan has also participated in multiple breeding bird surveys including two for Eagle Creek (2017 & 2019) in which he added 3 new species to the park’s breeding bird species list: Chestnut-sided warbler, Veery, and Fish Crow.
During his senior year of high school, Aidan was also asked by Purdue ornithologist Barny Dunning to conduct breeding bird surveys for Purdue’s Hardwood Ecosystem Experiment at the Hoosier National Forest, for which he added three new breeding bird species: Blue-headed Vireo, Ruffed Grouse, and Black-billed Cuckoo.
In 2022, Aidan graduated from Purdue University with a bachelor’s degree in Wildlife Biology.
In 2024, Aidan received a grant from the Amos Butler Audubon Society to manage the habitat surrounding the Ice Skating Pond at Eagle Creek Park, his goal is to transform the habitat from a bottomland swamp habitat to a new wetland/marsh habitat. One of his major goals is to bring back a species extirpated from central Indiana since the 1980’s, King Rails, which nested on the pond at this time. His main goal is to increase the overall bird species biodiversity within the area by transforming this area into a much-needed marsh habitat.
Frank Brown (he/him)
Naturalist, Ornithology Center
Frank grew up in Indianapolis, where his love for the outdoors began at a young age, inspired by countless hours spent exploring nature.
More about Frank
His passion for sharing that experience with others led him to pursue a degree in Education, graduating with a Bachelor of Science from Fisk University in 2019.
Frank has been part of the Eagle Creek Ornithology Center team since 2023, where he specializes in environmental education. He believes that fostering a deep connection to nature is key to inspiring future generations of conservationists. Through his engaging programs, Frank shares his enthusiasm for the natural world with visitors of all ages, creating hands-on learning experiences that encourage curiosity and stewardship.
While he enjoys all aspects of outdoor education, Frank is particularly passionate about connecting people to nature in a way that feels accessible and transformative. He continuously seeks new ways to bridge the gap between people and wildlife, helping them understand the value and wonder of Indiana’s natural ecosystems.
In his free time, Frank practices martial arts, creates tabletop role-playing games, and enjoys hiking the trails around Eagle Creek Park.
Kristin Bingham (She/Her)
Naturalist, Ornithology Center
Kristin grew up in Indianapolis. From an early age, her happy place was being outside in nature.
More about
Kristin grew up in Indianapolis. From an early age, her happy place was being outside in nature. As a kid, she was always making small bucket habitats for toads, frogs, and insects at her family’s summer campground spot. Fishing, hiking, and exploring parks became the rhythm of her childhood and the start of a lifelong love of nature.
She graduated from Purdue University in 2005 with a degree in Biology, focusing on ecology and evolution. While there, she developed a special interest in birds through her research on Carolina chickadees.
Kristin spent the next nine years as a zookeeper at the Indianapolis Zoo, caring for African and Australian birds and mammals. Those years deepened not only her connection to the animals but also her passion for teaching others about wildlife and their ecosystems. During that time, she served on the Amos Butler Audubon Society board, worked at Wild Birds Unlimited, and spent countless hours birding and hiking around Eagle Creek Park.
After several years at home raising her two children (while working part-time at Cool Creek Park Nature Center), Kristin became a full-time naturalist at Holliday Park. She worked there for three years before joining the Ornithology Center team in September 2025, where she continues to share her love of birds and helps people connect with the natural world.
When she’s not at work, Kristin enjoys hiking, birding, gardening, camping with her husband and kids, visiting museums, and cooking.
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