Explore the hues of the rainbow

…during Colors in Flight, the National Aviary’s NEW summer seasonal theme. Uncover the magic of how birds “paint the sky” with their vibrant plumage and shaded hues worldwide! Enjoy a day filled with dynamic new Daily Activities, Interactive Play Spaces, and breathtaking habitats.

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African Penguin swimming up through water

Penguin Encounter

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Get Closer to Color: Habitat Heroes and SkyDeck!

Watch as birds soar, swoop, and glide during SkyDeck, presented by the Pittsburgh International Airport. Take in the color palette of grey, black, white, and brown bird species, including Black Kites, flying overhead and witness first-hand how their colors pop against a beautiful blue sky! New this year: meet a Eurasian Eagle-Owl! 
 
Travel into the rainforest with beautifully-hued macaws, soar across Pittsburgh with the iconic brown and white palette of a Bald Eagle, and see first-hand how a Eurasian Eagle-Owl utilizes its beautifully saturated orange eyes to hunt with expert precision during Habitat Heroes, presented by AAA Travel.

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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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Flamingos

Visit American Flamingos up close in the Wetlands!

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Toco Tucan perched on a branch
Toucans

See two gorgeous Toco Toucans, Mango and Tango, in TreeTops.

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Owls

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

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Eagles

Visit Kody and Aurora, two Steller’s Sea Eagles, in The Charity Randall Foundation Eagle Hall.

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Sloths

Hang out with a Two-toed Sloth during a Sloth Encounter!

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Stronger Together

The National Aviary is dedicated to protecting Critically Endangered and threatened species. Serving as the leader of the Association of Zoo and Aquariums (AZA): Saving Animals From Extinction (SAFE) program for African Penguins, the Aviary is vital in safeguarding the future of their species. The National Aviary also actively contributes to the conservation of Andean Condors by participating in the AZA’s Species Survival Plan® for these majestic birds and collaborating with conservation partners in Ecuador. Through these initiatives and many others, the National Aviary remains steadfast in protecting and preserving endangered wildlife.

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Andean Condors Marijo and Illimani in the left photo which fades to the right photo of two African Penguin chicks

It Takes Two...African Penguin Chicks!

Penguin pair Patrick (female) and Owen hatched two African Penguin chicks in November at the National Aviary. The duo marks an additional spark of hope for a species that is increasingly experiencing population declines in the wild. The National Aviary’s expert animal care team has been observing the family’s feeding, brooding, and preening behaviors, and can see that these chicks are thriving and developing quickly!

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Calls of Hope: Saving Species Here and Abroad

The Eastern Loggerhead Shrike is one of Canada’s most endangered songbirds. With fewer than 25 breeding pairs left in Ontario, Canada, this unique subspecies — named for its disproportionately large — or “logger” — head, is in dire need of support. One of the ways in which zoos like the National Aviary can offer such help is by working tirelessly behind-the-scenes to help ensure an increase of healthy populations for a variety of threatened bird species, including the shrike. 

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From Early Days to Golden Years

When our youngest African Penguin, Pierogi, was diagnosed with an injury, the dedicated staff at the National Aviary worked tirelessly to provide innovative care. They did the same for our most senior colony member, Stanley.

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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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Saving African Penguins with AZA SAFE

The National Aviary is leading the Association of Zoos and Aquariums Saving Animals From Extinction: SAFE program for African Penguins with help from independent Senior Conservation Scientist, Dr. Patty McGill.

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African Penguin at National Aviary near artificial nest burrow in Penguin Point

A Comeback for Guam Rails

After more than 30 years of being listed as Extinct in the Wild, Guam Rails are now considered Critically Endangered. The National Aviary raised more Guam Rails than any other North American zoo, and some of those rails from Pittsburgh are now thriving on islands near Guam!

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Guam Rail walking on the ground

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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Pa. aviary announces new member of ‘extinct-in-the-wild’ species | PennLive

Here’s some wonderful news with regards to wildlife conservation efforts. A bird that has been considered extinct for decades has gained a fresh hatchling.

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Faces of the Valley: O’Hara’s Sarah Jones parlays passion for teaching into Volunteer of the Year Award from National Aviary | TribLive

O’Hara resident Sarah Jones calls herself a lucky duck. For her efforts, Jones, was named the Aviary’s 2023 Volunteer of the Year.

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National Aviary mourning loss of its first penguin, Stanley | WPXI

Stanley, who was named for the Stanley Cup, joined the family flock at the National Aviary in 2001 when he was two months old.

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Two Eurasian Eagle-Owl Chicks Hatch at National Aviary | National Aviary

A Eurasian Eagle-Owl, one of the largest owl species in the world, has hatched at the National Aviary.

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