Groundhog Day In Birmingham Will Feature Owl Substitutes

BIRMINGHAM, AL — Traditionally, on Groundhog Day in Birmingham, the Birmingham Zoo's resident groundhog, Birmingham Bill, predicts the coming of spring in the area. However, this year, Bill will have a stand-in for Groundhog Day duties.

Due to Birmingham Bill's hibernation schedule, the zoo's owls will assume the duties of predicting when spring will arrive in the Magic City.

From 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. February 2, the Birmingham Zoo will host Winter Wake-Up: A Hibernation Celebration on Groundhog Day. Guests will be treated to the first Wildlife Show of the year featuring ambassador animals at the zoo’s UAB Callahan Eye Hospital Wildlife Stage. Guests can learn about Groundhog Day traditions from all over the world and find out if the city will have six more weeks of winter.

Guests can also interact with various education stations and listen to zookeeper chats throughout the zoo to learn about the different animals that hibernate.

The weather prediction will start at 10 a.m. and Keeper Chats will be held until 2.