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Please Note:

Holiday Hours Notice! The National Aviary will be CLOSED on Tues., December 24 and Wed., December 25 so staff, volunteers, and guests may enjoy the holidays. Plan Your Visit

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Classes and Programs

Classes and Programs

There’s no better way to learn more about your favorite National Aviary birds or the birds in your backyard than from a National Aviary expert. The National Aviary offers a variety of engaging classes for people of all skill levels!

Steller's Sea Eagle taking a bath
Headshot of a Victoria Crowned Pigeon

Photo Credit: National Aviary Educator and Photographer Mike Faix

Bird Photography Workshop

Sun., January 26 and February 2 |  9 – 11 am |  $299 per person, includes 2 sessions | Register Here

  • Bird Photography Workshop Details

    Learn how to snap that picture-perfect wildlife shot! Focus on refining your bird photography skills with a two-part course taught by National Aviary Educator and Photographer Mike Faix, an accomplished nature photographer with years of experience photographing birds. Learn to photograph birds in a variety of settings. Practice portraiture during visits from Animal Ambassadors and action shots in the National Aviary’s dynamic and immersive habitats. This course is best for photographers with basic to intermediate skills.

    The photography workshop is open to participants 13 years or older; those under 16 must be accompanied by a registered adult.

Brushes & Birds: Flamingo Fest!

Sun., February 23 | 11 am – 1 pm | Members: $40; Non-Members: $45 | National Aviary Admission Included | Register Here

  • Brushes & Birds: Flamingo Fest Details

    February portrait: A Fabulous Flamingo, in honor of Flamingo Fest!

    Did you know flamingoes get their iconic color from the food they eat? It’s true and now’s your chance to paint your very own iconic, pink work of art!

    Join Maria DeSimone Prascak of Maria’s Ideas; MariasIdeas.com for a creative and colorful class in painting your own fine and feathered masterpiece. In this course, designed for painters of all ages and abilities, follow Maria’s step-by-step instructions to paint a portrait of a well-loved resident of the National Aviary: the American Flamingo. 

    Open to participants 8 years and older. Those under 16 must be accompanied by a registered adult.

Brushes & Birds: Penguin-Palooza!

Thurs., March 20 | 5:30 – 8 pm | Members: $40; Non-Members: $45 | 21+ | All Materials Included | Register Here

  • Brushes & Birds: Penguin-Palooza Details

    March portrait: African Penguin, in honor of Penguin-Palooza!

    Did you know penguins have a streamlined body that is tapered at both beak and tail? Paint your very own portrait of this aerodynamic waddling wonder! Join Maria DeSimone Prascak of Maria’s Ideas (MariasIdeas.com) in person for a creative and colorful class in painting your own fine and feathered masterpiece. In this course, designed for painters of all painting abilities, follow Maria’s step-by-step instructions to paint a portrait of a well-loved National Aviary bird: the African Penguin!

    Prior to class, relax with friends and meet a National Aviary Animal Ambassador! Enjoy a glass of wine, beer, or non-alcoholic beverage and scrumptious bites,  available for purchase from Atria’s.

    Please note: this event is for adults ages 21 and up. 

Falconry: the Sport of Kings

Sat., March 29 | 10 am – Noon | Members: $20; Non-Members: $25 | National Aviary Admission Included | Register Here

Virtual Fun: Meet and Tweets!

Brighten your team’s day by having a special guest attend your next video meeting or virtual happy hour! You can schedule a surprise video drop in with a penguin, parrot, or owl!

Learn More!

Visit our FAQ section of our website for our cancellation policy. In cases of insufficient registration, the National Aviary reserves the right to cancel any program. Under these circumstances, you will receive a full refund. 

Find information about our fun and engaging camps for all ages here!

In The News

See All News

Meet Wanda, a critically endangered Vietnam pheasant hatched at the National Aviary | CBS News

The National Aviary is introducing visitors to Wanda, a critically endangered Vietnam pheasant chick that hatched this spring.

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Guam kingfishers hatched at National Aviary among first released into wild in nearly 40 years | CBS News

Three Guam kingfishers that hatched at the National Aviary have been released on an island in the Pacific, marking the first time their species has been in the wild in nearly 40 years.

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Guam Sihek Released to the Wild | National Aviary

Nine Guam Kingfishers have been released to the wild on Palmyra Atoll, making them the first of their kind to reside in the wild since the 1980s.  

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Take an Enchanting Journey through Forests this fall at the National Aviary! | National Aviary

Explore the Aviary’s new fall seasonal theme, Forests Presented by Peoples; learn more about the creatures who inhabit these woodland areas during TWO new daily activities, and say “hello again!” to the adorable Eurasian Eagle-Owl making her Animal Ambassador debut!

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  Extinct in the Wild birds head to new home ahead of first wild release | National Aviary

Precious Guam Kingfishers arrived on the Pacific Island as part of a project to re-establish a wild population 

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