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Please Note

Please Note: The National Aviary is CLOSED Thurs., July 16 and Fri., July 17 for our largest annual fundraiser, Night in the Tropics! We will reopen at 12 pm on Sat., July 18; the parking lot reopens at 1 pm. Plan Your Next Visit

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Masters of the Sky...

…take center stage during the National Aviary’s NEW summer theme, Remarkable Raptors Presented by S&T Bank. From Black Kites and Lanner Falcons to Harpy and Steller’s Sea Eagles, Seasonal Daily Activities and limited-time add-on experiences will take you on an unparalleled journey into the world of these formidable, apex predators. 

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African Penguin swimming up through water

Penguin Encounter

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Today’s Schedule

CLOSED

THIS SUMMER ONLY: Step Inside the World of Birds of Prey!

Known for their FIERCE hunting skills and graceful FLIGHT, birds of prey are some of the most awe-inspiring animals in the world. Now YOU can see their innate instincts and unmatched natural abilities UP CLOSE during our NEW immersive show: Fierce in Flight! 
 
Get even closer to not one but TWO National Aviary Animal Ambassadors during our summer-only Falcon + Flighted Friend Encounter. Experience the thrill of a falcon flying RIGHT TO YOU…landing on your gloved hand. PLUS, enjoy a visit from a SECOND flighted bird of prey, parrot, or an aracari!  
 
Proceeds support the National Aviary’s work to save birds and protect their habitats. 

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Featured Species

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Penguins

Book a Penguin Encounter to meet an African Penguin up close!

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Flamingoes
Flamingoes

Venture onto the Wetlands beach and HAND-FEED our American Flamingoes!

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Marijo and Illimani, two juvenile Andean Condors at the National Aviary.
Condors

See majestic Andean Condors, including juveniles Marijo and Illimani, in Condor Court

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Northern White-faced Owl
Owls

Meet one of the National Aviary’s most mysterious residents during an Owl Encounter.

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Dariena in perched high in a tree with foliage around her
Eagles

Visit the only KNOWN Harpy Eagle residing in the Northeast United States!

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Sloths

Hang out with a Linnaeus's Two-toed Sloth during a Sloth Encounter!

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For the Golden Years: Fulfilling a Lifelong Promise

The National Aviary is committed to providing individualized care to each bird, mammal, and reptile that calls us home, at every phase of their lives. This unequivocal dedication is exemplified through the impressive lifespan of several of the Aviary’s residents, many of whom have been identified as the oldest on record for their species within accredited zoos. 

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Mary resting on a low log

Nesting in Namibia

To date, members of the National Aviary’s conservation team, alongside SAFE for African Penguins and the Namibian Foundation for the Conservation of Seabirds (NAMCOB) have deployed 60 artificial nest burrows on the islands of Possession and Halifax in Namibia.  

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A Eurasian Eagle-Owl Parliament

Over the last two decades, and as part of an Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) Species Survival Plan® (SSP) Program, the National Aviary has made considerable contributions to Eurasian Eagle-Owl conservation efforts, thanks to two very special owls: X and Dumbledore.

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An Eurasian Eagle Owl

Nesting in Namibia

The National Aviary works with the South African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds (SANCCOB) and the Namibian Foundation for the Conservation of Seabirds (NAMCOB) to help sustain existing wild penguin population. This includes determining the kind of artificial nest burrow wild colonies would take to, which took time and a few iterations.

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African Penguins in South Africa using artificial nest burrow

Valentino: The Condor that Could

In the last 46 years, only nine injured Andean Condors have been able to return to their natural habitat in Ecuador, where fewer than 150 wild Andean Condors remain. Valentino is now one of them – thanks to a worldwide partnership with the National Aviary and our Ecuadorian sister zoo, Bioparque Amaru.

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Andean Condor Valentino taking flight after his release!

A Flamingo Rescue Halfway Around the World

When more than 1,800 baby Lesser Flamingoes were abandoned by their parents due to a severe drought at the Kamfers Dam in South Africa in 2019, the National Aviary’s Teri Grendzinski was among the first to arrive on the scene. 

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National Aviary Expert Teri G, hand feeding a Lesser Flamingo chick in South Africa

Protecting Their Future

Eurasian Eagle-Owls may be classified as “Least Concern” by the IUCN, but this large species with pumpkin-colored eyes faced a rapid population decline in Europe in the 20th century. These birds continue to face human-caused threats to their very livelihood, including pesticide exposure, habitat loss, and infrastructure collisions. Learn more about the National Aviary’s efforts to safeguard this large owl species, and how you can help today.

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New Findings Released in the Search for the Ivory-billed Woodpecker

Researchers with the National Aviary and Project Principalis released multiple lines of evidence pointing to the survival of the iconic Ivory-billed Woodpecker in Louisiana.

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illustration of birds

A Flamingo Rescue Halfway Around the World

When thousands of flamingo chicks were abandoned due to drought in South Africa, one National Aviary staff member, Teri Grendzinski, made the journey to help. Her work to hand-raise chicks gave them a chance at survival.

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A Lesser Flamingo chick being cared for in South Africa.
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Our Mission:

The National Aviary works to inspire respect for nature through an appreciation of birds.

In The News

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Falcon from Pitt’s Cathedral of Learning nest recovering after collision and lead exposure | MSN

The National Aviary, which runs a livestream camera of the nest, says Red was admitted to the Humane Animal Rescue of Pittsburgh's Wildlife Center for treatment, where he was also diagnosed with elevated lead levels.

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Young falcon from Pitt’s Cathedral of Learning nest recovering after collision and lead exposure | CBS News

Red, a young peregrine falcon that hatched in the nest on top of Pitt's Cathedral of Learning this spring, is in the care of humans after he apparently suffered a collision and then tested positive for lead exposure.

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The first Andean condor in Ecuador is born in Cuenca under artificial incubation | Expreso

The Amaru Biopark announced the birth of Ecuador's first Andean condor through artificial incubation, a step forward for conservation.

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Forget the plane. Your tropical vacation can be found in Pittsburgh | Pittsburgh Today Live

The National Aviary is bringing the island vibes to Pittsburgh, with music, cocktails, and plenty of birds.

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Nearly extinct species coming back in wild thanks to Pittsburgh aviary | Yahoo News

The National Aviary has two baby Guam Kingfishers, known as sihek in the indigenous CHamoru language. The male Guam kingfisher hatched on April 19, while the female hatched on May 12. On May 27, the male chick took his first flight.

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