Trainer for a Day


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Trainer for a Day
Gives Teens and Adults the Opportunity to Experience
the Life of a Professional Bird Trainer

Have you ever wondered what it’s like to talk to the Penguins, work with a falcon capable of flying over 200 miles per hour, or teach an owl to hop on your glove on command? Do you TiVo Animal Planet shows and secretly wish you could try trading places with those whose job is caring for animals? Are you or a young person you know considering a career in the zoological field, veterinary care or wildlife management? If any of these apply, then the National Aviary’s new Trainer for a Day program provides just the opportunity for you.

The new program allows individuals a fascinating, one-on-one, behind-the-scenes experience in the world of the bird trainers at the National Aviary.

Each participant or pair of individuals will work alongside trainers at the Aviary who will take them through a full day of work with the birds. Beginning at 9 a.m., guests will work with the trainers in the kitchen preparing the varied diets for the National Aviary’s many species of birds. From there it’s on to the Penguin enclosure where participants will meet Stanley, Elvis, Patrick and Simon, the Aviary’s popular African Penguins. Under the watchful eyes of this comical but well-dressed black and white crew, participants will help clean and hose down the area and assist in a penguin feeding.

Other highlights of the day include participating in afternoon feeds in the Wetlands of the Americas exhibit and the Tropical Forest exhibit, both free-flight rooms with hundreds of birds of various species, including Flamingos, Macaws, a Brown Pelican named Dexter, Inca Terns, Ibis, Bee-eaters and more. The guests will also have the opportunity to see first-hand how the birds are trained for our free-flight bird shows.
“Trainer for a Day is an incredible opportunity to get close to many spectacular and rare birds, and to see the level of care, expertise and time it takes to feed, train and maintain the health of the more than 600 birds in our collection,” says Nicole Begley, Supervisor of Animal Programs at the National Aviary. “It’s an unforgettable immersion experience for both teens and adults, and we know that participants will be greatly impacted by what they experience.”

Trainer for a Day spots must be booked in advance; maximum of two participants per day. Participants ages 12-16 must be accompanied by a paying adult who participates in the entire day. Participants are asked to wear closed-toe shoes and loose, comfortable clothing that they don’t mind getting dirty. A National Aviary t-shirt is included in the cost of registration.

Trainer for a Day

What: A full day, from 9 until 4, working with the National Aviary’s birds alongside trainer staff.

When: Any day, seven days a week.
Must be booked a minimum of two weeks in advance.

Who: Open to all aged 12 and up. Two guests maximum per day.

Fee: $250 • per participant
$225 • Aviary Members
Additional $50 • Accompanying adult. Participants ages 12-16 must be accompanied by an adult.

Includes box lunch(es), “Trainer for a Day” t-shirt(s) and a photo of your experience.

Register: Call 412-323-7235 extension 209 to register.

The National Aviary is open seven days a week, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. More information can be found by calling 412-323-7235.