WNC is known for its rich biodiversity — but did you know it’s also a place where you can find birds from every continent on the planet (except Antarctica)? We recently visited these globetrotting birds at Carolina Avian Research & Education (CARE), a sanctuary for rare and endangered birds with special needs in Fletcher, ~25 miles from Asheville.

Established in 2019 and owned + operated by lifelong birder Leeann Shearouse, the two-acre facility is also home to a small nursery where canna lilies, daylilies, and aquatic plants are sold to support CARE. The plants are grown on-site — Leeann is also an award-winning, internationally recognized plant hybridizer. She also teaches classes like intro to falconry, birds from around the world, wildflower gardening, and water gardening to support the sanctuary.

Look at this stunning African starling. I Photo by AVLtoday

What’s it like? Visiting CARE is like meandering around a brilliantly-colored world full of birdsong + beauty. Each enclosure houses birds that swim, sing, and flit about, and is surrounded by garden beds overflowing with dazzling blooms. The tranquil sounds of water gurgle from Leeann’s stone waterfall. We’d recommend a visit for the oasis vibes alone.

CARE is supported through plant sales + speaking fees alone, so a plant shopping trip is a great way to support — check out species of birds while you’re there like the Red rumped parrot, African starlings, and Blue Crown pigeons Blue and Cobalt (the largest pigeons in the world — and they're beautiful, we swear). Wanna visit? Be sure to contact CARE to make an appointment.