Discover Unique Nests and Meet the Bird Species who Craft them during Nesting in Nature this Winter and Spring, ONLY at the National Aviary!
During the Aviary’s newest seasonal theme, available only from January-May, immerse yourself in the wonderous beauty of budding bird families at every milestone, from the blooming pair bonds to nest-building, and the hopeful hatchings of adorable chicks. Brand-new Daily Activities included with admission will bring you face to face with intricately designed nests and the breath-taking “artists” behind them.
January 6, 2026 (Pittsburgh, Penn.) – The National Aviary is excited to announce our biggest “hatching” to date: the new, limited-run seasonal theme, Nesting in Nature, which starts tomorrow. Come nose to beak – (or scales) with nature’s top spring-cleaners as they prepare for peak nesting season in warm, lush habitats. Similar to human parents choosing pastel swatches for a nursery, avian and animal mom and dads to-be are building their nests and prepping for hopeful hatchlings (without having to make a stop at Home Goods). During BRAND NEW Expert Talks, Feedings, and MORE Daily Activities included with General Admission, you’ll learn all about potential new chicks and future fledglings – from the unique courtship patterns that lead to their squawking arrivals to their development inside protective eggshells which lay safely in a cozy nest. “Hop” to the Helen M. Schmidt FliteZone™ Theater for the daily Not Just Bird Eggs: Expert Talk to meet a rotating Animal Ambassador empty nester, potential nester, or maybe even one who has yet to fledge. Journey to the Wetlands for a Nurturing Nesters: Expert Feeding and marvel at the synchronized courtship displays and elegant swaying illustrated by a vast flock of American Flamingoes. In the Tropical Rainforest, watch as Great Argus, Gus, brings new meaning to “shaking his tail feathers” as he fans his vibrant plumage to attract his pair-bonded mate while Victoria Crowned Pigeons Isabella and Ferdinand strut by with beaks full of nesting materials during the Rainforest Residents: Expert Feeding. Waddle to Penguin Point to watch the African Penguin colony enjoy a tasty snack and while there see if you can spot an artificial nesting burrow!
Historically, African Penguins used seabird guano to make their nests. As the South African and Namibian climates are warm, windy, and sandy, guano offered them the ability to build protective burrows for their offspring. Unfortunately, unsustainable harvesting of guano for fertilizer forced penguins to nest in less-than-ideal places, often out in the open utilizing unstable sand, which caused nesting success rates to plummet quickly. The National Aviary is the Leader of the AZA: Saving Animals From Extinction (SAFE) African Penguin (AP) Program which works with colleagues around the world to address the challenges facing the species. A couple of years ago, the SAFE AP Program’s working group on nests and habitats identified a strong potential solution to this problem. This led to the creation of a secure, weather-moderating artificial nest burrow now used widely in Namibia. The National Aviary visited twice in the last two years to deploy such nests and were told by local rangers that wild African Penguins had been spotted using them!
By spring 2026, the National Aviary will have contributed to the deployment of 300 nest burrows across four Namibian Islands, with plans for 200 more to be set up by the end of 2027!
“Nesting in Nature is by far one of our most informative and fun seasonal themes to date!” said Cathy Schlott, director of animal programs and experiences. “January through April is the height of nesting behaviors for a lot of our residents and we are so excited to share the ins and outs of such a pivotal time with our guests. They will not only get to see birds rarely found in other zoos, it’s a chance to see the complex nesting cavities curated by them in person.”
Guests can get closer to Aviary birds and other animals through the purchase of add-on experiences: Hand-Feeding Rainbow Lorikeets (who are known to be dedicated cavity nesters), taking the virtual flight of a lifetime with Birdly® and marveling at the impressive wing display of an Eurasian Eagle-Owl (which they use in courtship rituals) during the Aviary’s most immersive bird show to date: Passport to Parks, presented by AAA Travel. Fun fact: every Eurasian Eagle Owl in the show hatched at the Aviary!
Get even closer to other Animal Ambassadors during a fan-favorite Animal Encounter, such as the return of the majestic Falcon Encounter, where you can hold a falcon on a gloved hand as you discover the unique pair-bonding behavior patterns of the species (which avid National Aviary Peregrine FalconCam viewers will be familiar with!).
Plus be sure to save the date for upcoming special events, including Galentine’s Day, Easter, and Mother’s Day Brunches in The Garden Room, as well as the return of ever-popular family-friendly celebrations included with admission: Penguin-Palooza (for the first time EVER in January to coincide with Penguin Awareness Day!), Flamingo Fest, and Eggstravaganza. And enjoy 21+ fun with the 2nd annual ticketed event, Pints & Penguins (details coming soon).
For more information on Nesting in Nature daily activities, the full list of upcoming events, and the birds who reside at the National Aviary, please visit aviary.org.
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About the National Aviary
The one and only National Aviary is located on Pittsburgh’s historic Northside since its founding in 1952. The National Aviary is home to more than 500 birds representing more than 150 diverse species from around the world, many of them threatened or endangered in the wild. The National Aviary’s large walk-through habitats create an intimate, up-close interaction between visitors and free-flying birds, including opportunities to hand-feed and to meet many species rarely found in zoos. For tickets and more information visit aviary.org.
The National Aviary’s winter season begins on January 7.
The National Aviary is closed on Tuesdays in January, February, and March.
Beginning Tuesday, April 7, we will be open to the public seven days a week!