The subject was a hot topic in submissions to the Clutha District Council's draft long-term council community plan (LTCCP).
Four young pupils from The Catlins Area School pleaded with councillors to leave the aviary alone and a 400-signature petition opposing the idea was tabled.
The council is proposing to spend about $6000 demolishing the aviary because of high maintenance costs and too few volunteers to care for the birds.
Aviary caretakers the South Otago Bird Club rallied support from several quarters in the district and asked the council to retain the aviary as is.
It pointed out the aviary was donated to the community and the club had cared for birds there for nearly 20 years and would continue to.
Since members found out about the proposal through the media, the club had been offered volunteer support running the aviary.
Stalwart aviary supporter Margaret Ioane said the council had not even told her of its plans, calling that "the biggest insult that has ever been hurled at us".
"I would suggest you [the council] have another think about the aviary as once gone [it] will be gone forever.
"Please think hard, as for everyone who has worked hard to keep the aviaries, this is a hard pill to swallow."
Mr Hayes said support for the aviaries meant the council was "having a good think" about it.
