Flock to the Forests...

…of the National Aviary, where cascading pumpkins meet feathered AND furry friends for fall festival fun! Discover the intricate workings of biodiverse woodland ecosystems through Seasonal Daily Activities, engaging Interactive Play Spaces, and alluring free-flight habitats. Forests Presented by Peoples runs now through November!

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And The Sisters' Names Are...

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THIS WEEKEND: It's a Penguin Party!

Plan Your Visit

CHEERS! Friendsgiving Brunch!

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African Penguin swimming up through water

Penguin Encounter

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Today’s Schedule

10am - 5pm

Daily Activities

The National Aviary offers a variety of Daily Activities for an incredible guest experience, many of which are included with General Admission. View an insightful feeding, watch birds soar overhead during an immersive bird show, or get up close with your favorite species during an Animal Encounter!

10:30am - 11:30am

Early Childhood Morning

The early bird gets the worm...especially during Early Childhood Morning! Enjoy a fun and engaging experience with art activities, sensory play, and books to read.

**You’ll DIG this Scent-sational Animal Encounter!**

Meet one of the National Aviary’s NEW Animal Ambassadors: a Striped Skunk! You may have spotted these adorable critters scurrying through your backyard from afar. Now you have the chance to hand-feed one of the Aviary’s two juvenile skunks some of their favorite goodies and watch as she makes a pawprint portrait using animal-safe paint FOR YOU TO TAKE HOME! Plus, you’ll gain a whole new appreciation for these misunderstood mammals.

Proceeds support the National Aviary’s work to save species and protect their habitats.

Book a Skunk Painting Encounter

Featured Species

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Penguins

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

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Flamingoes

Venture onto the Wetlands to see our flock of inquisitive flamingoes!

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Condors

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

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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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Striped Skunk Sisters Spotlight Species Diversity

The National Aviary’s two newest, furry Animal Ambassadors are Striped Skunk sisters! Born at the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden this past spring (April 20, 2026), these ‘kits’ enjoyed spending the first few months with their siblings, learning how to engage with trainers and guests alike!

A Striped Skunk resting in the arms of her Aviary caretaker.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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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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.

Read Teri's Story

A Lesser Flamingo chick being cared for in South Africa.

Our Mission:

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

In The News

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Sister Skunk Name Results Are IN! | National Aviary

The entire two-round naming contest highlighted just how much people truly care about the National Aviary: raising more $2,500 in 2.5 weeks, and increasing September Guest and Member attendance at the Aviary by 40% compared to past years.

The National Aviary receives prestigious accreditation from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums | Association of Zoos and Aquariums

The Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) has announced that the National Aviary in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania was once again granted accreditation by AZA’s independent Accreditation Commission.

Flock to the Forests...

Penguin Encounter

Today’s Schedule

**You’ll DIG this Scent-sational Animal Encounter!**

Featured Species

Striped Skunk Sisters Spotlight Species Diversity

For the Golden Years: Fulfilling a Lifelong Promise

Nesting in Namibia

A Eurasian Eagle-Owl Parliament

Nesting in Namibia

Valentino: The Condor that Could

A Flamingo Rescue Halfway Around the World

Protecting Their Future

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

A Flamingo Rescue Halfway Around the World

Our Mission:

Sister Skunk Name Results Are IN! | National Aviary

The National Aviary receives prestigious accreditation from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums | Association of Zoos and Aquariums

The Expert’s Guide to Helping Injured Birds During the Fall Migration | National Geographic

If You Hear “Kis-Ka-Dee,” Look Up Because Experts Say You May Have a Rare Visitor in Your Yard | Yahoo Life

Musical Parking Chairs featuring the National Aviary’s Own Cathy Schlott! | The YaJagoff Podcast