If you can hold your nose long enough, the Suncoast Seabird Sanctuary will put you face to face with some local winged wildlife. Founded in 1971, it is the largest non-profit wild bird hospital in the United States. You would never guess it by the size of the place. The facility takes in about 20 injuries a day and they claim you can see 600 birds on any visit. Or maybe, it just smells that way.

Cutesy donation boxes in the shape of pelicans stand in front of some of the cages in case the urge strikes to donate a buck or two. There are plenty of charity cases on display. Birds that lost an eye or limb are kept as permanent guests.

Some of the fowl smelling birds are said to have stared in Disney movies. Don't bother trying to figure out which ones - they all look the same. OK, maybe not the ones with missing eyes.

The Suncoast Seabird Sanctuary is free to walk around in but for my money, the best attraction is the giant statue at the entrance. And you can be sure it will not have left any presents on your car as you speed away gasping for air.

Suncoast Seabird Sanctuary
18328 Gulf Boulevard
Indian Shores, Florida
In the neighborhood - a rooftop pirate