National Aviary Celebrates Opening of Grasslands Exhibit March 20-21

New Free-flight Space Features Finches, Doves, More

(PITTSBURGH, March 1, 2010) – The National Aviary celebrates the grand opening of its newest free-flight space, Grasslands, Saturday and Sunday, March 20-21. Created to highlight species native to grasslands around the world, the Grasslands exhibit allows guests to enter a natural environment inhabited by finches, doves, plovers and other birds that rely on grassland habitats for survival.

A boardwalk trail and simple rope railings minimize the barrier between visitors and free-flying birds, creating a wonderful shared space full of sound, movement and color. On Saturday and Sunday, March 20-21, guests will enjoy guided tours by “Professor Finch,” an expert on bird species.

Throughout the day, National Aviary trainers will also bring out a number of birds not normally seen on exhibit, including the Aviary’s new southern ground hornbill, and a serieme named “Bam-bam”. The first 100 children to visit will receive a free compass.

Inhabiting the Grasslands exhibit are an array of delicate and colorful birds, including Gouldian finches, paradise whydah, Sudan golden sparrows, shaft-tail finches, melba finches, and blue ground doves. The exhibit’s plantscape comprises sea oats, bayberry, birch and dogwood as well as other greenery.

“In addition to enjoying the opportunity to get close to a beautiful and diverse array of birds, guests will also learn about the unique life sustained in grassland habitats and the importance of these rapidly disappearing areas to the balance of nature,” says National Aviary Executive Director Patrick Mangus.

The opening of the Grasslands Exhibit is part of the National Aviary’s multi-phase expansion and renovation project, which includes construction of the new Helen M. Schmidt FliteZoneTM Theater, rooftop Sky Deck and cafe, opening in the fall of 2010.

The National Aviary is open Monday – Saturday, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., and Sundays noon to 5 p.m. For more information, call 412.323.7235 or click www.aviary.org.