Animal Encounters

Book an Animal Encounter today and get even closer to animals! Get nose-to-beak (or snout) with National Aviary Animal Ambassadors! Hang out with a sloth, hold a stunning bird of prey on your gloved hand, or spend quality time with a penguin while learning about these unique birds and mammals from a National Aviary expert.

All National Aviary Animal Encounters include General Admission; National Aviary Members receive a discount.

Falcon Encounter

THIS SEASON ONLY: Meet a master of the sky and dive into the world of falcons alongside a National Aviary expert!
Falcon Encounter
Penguin Feeding Encounter

From March 15 - November 15, suit up alongside an Aviary expert and hand-feed our Penguin Point colony during mealtime.
Penguin Feeding Encounter
Penguin Encounter

Meet an African Penguin up close! Get to know the National Aviary penguins’ favorite foods, and find out how you can help this Critically Endangered species at home and in the wild.
Penguin Encounter
Sloth Encounter

Hang out with a Linnaeus’s Two-toed Sloth and learn about life in the slow lane with these adorable creatures.
Sloth Encounter
Sloth Encounter + Painting

Watch resident artist, Valentino, create a one-of-kind masterpiece just for you! Learn about sloths natural behaviors and hand-feed Val a few treats!
Sloth Encounter + Painting
Owl Encounter

Who-o-o wouldn’t want to hold an owl on your gloved hand while an Aviary expert teaches you about their incredible adaptations?
Owl Encounter

In The News

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Your Day in North Shore & North Side: A 24-Hour Itinerary | VisitPittsburgh

This itinerary is designed for a perfect day exploring one of Pittsburgh’s busiest neighborhoods. It’s a walkable plan that combines iconic sights, local food, and unique experiences.

Create Safer Nesting Spots for Backyard Birds (featuring insight from National Aviary Ornithologist Bob Mulvihill) | Homes and Gardens

Experts say to consider birdhouse alternatives that provide safe nesting spots, keep predators away, and still look good in your yard.

These Plants Can Turn Your Yard into a Hummingbird Haven (Featuring Insight from National Aviary Ornithologist Bob Mulvihill) | A-Z Animals

According to Bob Mulvihill, a Lead Ornithologist at The National Aviary, hummingbirds and flowers have spent millennia shaping each other.

Peregrine falcons start incubating clutch of 4 eggs in Cathedral of Learning nest | WPXI

The National Aviary says Carla started incubating her eggs after laying a third one on Sunday afternoon.

4 Common Materials That Could Be Harming Your Backyard Birds – And What to Provide Instead (featuring insight from Dr. Pilar Fish) | Homes and Gardens

From dryer lint to loose yarn, these damaging materials could be hiding in plain sight

Animal Encounters