Explore fascinating wonderlands

…and the species that inhabit them during the National Aviary’s fall theme, Forests Presented by Peoples.  Uncover the magic of mythical-like woods through spellbinding Daily Activities, Interactive Play Spaces, and bewitching free-flight habitats. 

Get Tickets!
African Penguin swimming up through water

Penguin Encounter

 Learn More

Today’s Schedule

Daily Activities

The National Aviary offers a variety of Daily Activities for an incredible visitor experience. View an insightful feeding, watch birds soar over the audience during a live bird show, or get up close with your favorite species during an Animal Encounter!

Friendsgiving Brunch

Cheers! Gathered your besties and join the National Aviary for a special brunch in The Garden Room!

THIS FALL ONLY: You’ll DIG this Animal Encounter!

Join us “down the rabbit hole” as we uncover the hidden world that bustles below the forest floor alongside TWO fan-favorite National Aviary Animal Ambassadors: a Four-toed Hedgehog and Southern Three-banded Armadillo! PLUS, witness an armadillo’s foraging abilities up close as you feed him some of his favorite treats!

Proceeds support the National Aviary’s work to save birds and protect their habitats. Animal Encounters include General Admission!

Book a Life Underground Encounter

Featured Species

See All Species
Penguins

Book a Penguin Encounter to meet an African Penguin up close!

Learn More
Flamingoes

Venture to the Wetlands to meet our flock of American Flamingoes!

Learn More
Marijo and Illimani, two juvenile Andean Condors at the National Aviary.
Condors

See majestic Andean Condors, including juveniles Marijo and Illimani, in Condor Court

Learn More
Northern White-faced Owl
Owls

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

Learn More
Eagles

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

Learn More
Sloths

Hang out with a Linnaeus's Two-toed Sloth during a Sloth Encounter!

Learn More

Little Wings, Big Future

It all begins with a single pip – as a new chick uses its beak to crack the wall of the egg it once called home and takes its first breath in the outside world. What may be just a simple hatching for some represents so much more for those of us who are dedicated to the world of avian conservation.

Read More Blue Plant Icon
Inca Tern chick being gently held by a National Aviary expert.

A Eurasian Eagle-Owl Parliament

Over the last two decades, and as part of an Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) Species Survival Plan® (SSP) Program, the National Aviary has made considerable contributions to Eurasian Eagle-Owl conservation efforts, thanks to two very special owls: X and Dumbledore.

Read More Blue Plant Icon
An Eurasian Eagle Owl

Nesting in Namibia

The National Aviary works with the South African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds (SANCCOB) and the Namibian Foundation for the Conservation of Seabirds (NAMCOB) to help sustain existing wild penguin population. This includes determining the kind of artificial nest burrow wild colonies would take to, which took time and a few iterations.

Read More Blue Plant Icon
African Penguins in South Africa using artificial nest burrow

Countdown to Extinction: One Decade to Save African Penguins

Ten years is all that likely stands between the African Penguin becoming functionally Extinct-in-the-Wild. The current plight of this dwindling species has recently led to their International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)’s status being uplisted from Endangered to Critically Endangered last October. The fight for the future of the African Penguin remains in full throttle, with the National Aviary leading the way.

 

Read More Blue Plant Icon
Countdown to Extinction web graphic featuring an image of a juvenile African Penguin fading into an image of wild African Penguins.

Valentino: The Condor that Could

In the last 46 years, only nine injured Andean Condors have been able to return to their natural habitat in Ecuador, where fewer than 150 wild Andean Condors remain. Valentino is now one of them – thanks to a worldwide partnership with the National Aviary and our Ecuadorian sister zoo, Bioparque Amaru.

Read More Blue Plant Icon
Andean Condor Valentino taking flight after his release!

A Flamingo Rescue Halfway Around the World

When more than 1,800 baby Lesser Flamingoes were abandoned by their parents due to a severe drought at the Kamfers Dam in South Africa in 2019, the National Aviary’s Teri Grendzinski was among the first to arrive on the scene. 

Read More Green Leaf Icon
National Aviary Expert Teri G, hand feeding a Lesser Flamingo chick in South Africa

Protecting Their Future

Eurasian Eagle-Owls may be classified as “Least Concern” by the IUCN, but this large species with pumpkin-colored eyes faced a rapid population decline in Europe in the 20th century. These birds continue to face human-caused threats to their very livelihood, including pesticide exposure, habitat loss, and infrastructure collisions. Learn more about the National Aviary’s efforts to safeguard this large owl species, and how you can help today.

Learn More Blue Plant Icon

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. 

Read More Green Leaf Icon

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.

Learn more Green Leaf Icon
illustration of birds

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.

Learn more Blue Plant Icon
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!

Read the Guam Rails' Story Green Leaf Icon
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.

Read Teri's Story Blue Plant Icon
A Lesser Flamingo chick being cared for in South Africa.
Purple Bird in Flight Icon Purple Bird in Flight Icon

Our Mission:

The National Aviary works to inspire respect for nature through an appreciation of birds.

In The News

See All News

55-plus holiday season events for kids in the Pittsburgh area | Kidsburgh

Glowing light shows, magical theatrical productions and the best music of the season are just a small part of the lineup.

Read More »

A penguin waddles into the PTL studio! | Pittsburgh Today Live

The National Aviary paid a visit to the PTL studios, and they brought Ella the African Penguin with them to tell Mikey and David about the work they're doing to protect the flightless birds.

Read More »

Best of the World 2026 | National Geographic

Steel mills once shaped outsiders’ whole impressions of Pittsburgh, but today the city increasingly defines itself by embracing the venerable cultural institutions that industrial prosperity helped build.

Read More »

Fun fall events at the National Aviary | Pittsburgh Today Live

Hear about all of the National Aviary fun happening this fall!

Read More »

National Aviary holds early celebration for its sloth’s Halloween ‘boo day’ | WPXI

The Aviary’s Linnaeus’s Two-toed Sloth, Valentino, was born on Halloween. But since the facility is closed on that day, the aviary celebrated his 10th “boo day” early.

Read More »