Tropical Rainforest

Tropical Rainforest

Video courtesy of Vitro Architectural Glass, sponsor of National Aviary Tropical Rainforest.

The National Aviary’s Tropical Rainforest is an indoor, walk-through habitat, where over 30 different birds species fly freely. The oldest room in the National Aviary—originally the only room!—the Tropical Rainforest underwent a total renovation and reopened in 2018. Today, this impressive space is blooming, with hundreds of lush, green trees and plants—including cacao and coffee—that thrive in the natural light that filters in through over 3,000 panels of bird-friendly glass.

A stunning 15-foot waterfall spills into tiered ponds where birds bathe and play, and custom designed perching allows our birds, like two female Hyacinth Macaws, to climb close to you as you pass through. Every detail was designed to mimic a natural rainforest habitat and encourage nesting and other natural behaviors. Along the boardwalk, watch as Snowy Egrets wade in a pond while formerly extinct-in-the-wild Guam Rails dart in and out of the foliage nearby and Victoria Crowned Pigeons stroll by just feet away from you. High up in the canopy, Wookiee, the Linnaeus’s Two-toed Sloth, makes his way slowly through the treetops.

The Tropical Rainforest features 3,146 new panes of laminated bird-friendly glass from Vitro Architectural Glass (formerly PPG Glass). The new glass was designed to prevent collision by birds both inside and outside the habitat and maximize ultraviolet (UV) transmittance to help sustain wildlife and plant life throughout the year.

As you make your way through the habitat, learn more about the importance of saving rainforests around the world! For example, one major issue affecting rainforests is habitat loss, caused by unsustainable harvesting practices for products like palm oil. You can help by purchasing products which use sustainable palm oil; just download the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo’s Sustainable Palm Oil Shopping app!

 Get up close to a sloth by booking an Sloth Animal Encounter!

Book Today!

Support your favorite rainforest species like Hyacinth Macaws and Two-toed Sloths with a symbolic adoption! The Adopt-A-Bird program makes a great gift, and helps us care for our flock!

Thank you to our sponsors: 

Allegheny Health Network, Peoples Natural Gas, Trib Total Media, Vitro Architectural Glass

In The News

See All News

Pittsburgh’s National Aviary welcomes a new male Andean Condor | 90.5 WESA

The National Aviary publicly welcomed a new, male Andean Condor named Bud to Pittsburgh this week.

Read More »

Meet Bud: National Aviary announces arrival of new Andean condor | WTAE

The National Aviary announced the arrival of one of its newest residents Thursday.

Read More »

Valentine’s Day Lovebirds: National Aviary celebrates dove hatching, bird couples | Yahoo! News

This Valentine’s Day, love is in the air, right alongside the birds at the National Aviary.

Read More »

National Aviary Mourns the Loss of a Fan-Favorite Bird | Pittsburgh Magazine

The National Aviary is moving forward without one of its most popular and colorful attractions — a favorite among both staff and visitors.

Read More »