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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African Penguin swimming up through water

Penguin Encounter

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Today’s Schedule

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!

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
Flamingoes

Venture onto the Wetlands to see our flock of inquisitive 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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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! 

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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. 

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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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For $5, you can help name National Aviary’s skunk sisters. How to vote | USA Today

Pittsburgh's two new skunk sisters are one step closer to getting their names, thanks to the internet.

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National Aviary close to naming sister skunks. See the finalist names. | USA Today Pets

Two skunk sisters at Pittsburgh's National Aviary are close to getting names after more than 18,000 public suggestions.

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National Aviary selects sets of names for skunk sister public vote | WPXI

The aviary’s animal care team has selected six names (three pairs) for the public to vote on in round two of the competition.

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Striped skunk sisters make their debut at National Aviary | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

When you think of animal ambassadors, giant pandas and bald eagles come to mind, but a skunk? The latest animal ambassador at the National Aviary is a sister pair of 4-month-old striped skunks from the Cincinnati Zoo.

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National Aviary selects 3 sets of names for new skunk sisters for public to vote on | WPXI

The aviary’s animal care team has selected six names (three pairs) for the public to vote on in round two of the competition. The names are Feta and Ricotta, Petunia and Daisy, and Poppy and Pepper.

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