National Aviary Celebrates the Mysterious Creatures of Fall with a Family-friendly Event Twilight Treks, and Owl-inspired Art
Enjoy two weekends of Owl-O-Ween at the National Aviary, ornithologist-led Owl Prowls, and an owl painting class featuring Maria DeSimone Prascak of Maria’s Ideas offered in person and online
(Pittsburgh) September 22, 2021 – Celebrate things that flutter and flap in the night this fall when three beloved fall festivities return to the National Aviary. Visit the National Aviary during two weekends of Owl-O-Ween, a family-friendly event featuring owl-themed take-home crafts, meet and greets with mysterious owls, and even a glimpse at another winged wonder of fall: bats! Go on an Owl Prowl, a twilight trek through Pittsburgh’s parks, with the National Aviary’s ornithologist for the chance to hear owls calling in the night. Pick up a paintbrush and create a masterpiece with a special owl portrait painting class, now in-person with a virtual option, featuring Maria DeSimone Prascak of Maria’s Ideas, MariasIdeas.com. Protective face masks must be worn over the nose and mouth and physical distancing between household groups is observed during all National Aviary activities.
Owl-O-Ween at the National Aviary
Saturday and Sunday, October 16, 17, 23, and 24
Experience the thrills and chills of the season and meet mysterious owls—and bats!—during a fun and family-friendly trip to the National Aviary for Owl-O-Ween. Pick up a trick-or-treat goody bag, get creative with an owl-themed take-home craft kit packaged individually for each child, get the chance to meet a beautiful owl in the Helen M. Schmidt FliteZone™ Theater during a special Owl Meet and Greet, and learn all about Malayan Flying Foxes, a megabat species that is surprisingly cute, during a special Bat Talk!
- Saturday and Sunday, October 16, 17, 23, and 24
- 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. with timed-entry tickets available at aviary.org
- Included with admission
Owl Prowls in Pittsburgh Parks with Ornithologist Bob Mulvihill
October 16, 17, 23, 24 and November 6, 7, 12, 13
Who-o-o will you hear calling from the trees at night? Join National Aviary Ornithologist Bob Mulvihill on a twilight trek through parks in Pittsburgh to look and listen for owls, learn about their habitats, adaptations, and behaviors, and with luck, hear one calling from up in the trees! Participants should wear appropriate footwear for walking on unpaved paths and have a flashlight handy. Recommended for ages 7 and up.
- October 16, October 24, and November 12 at Frick Park
- October 17 and November 6 at Wingfield Pines
- October 23, November 7, and November 13 at Settlers Cabin
- 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
- $20 per person, per Owl Prowl
- Visit aviary.org to register. Space is limited; registration is required.
Brushes and Birds at the National Aviary and Online
Saturday, October 9
Pick up a paintbrush and learn to paint one of the National Aviary’s most iconic species: a Eurasian Eagle-Owl, a charismatic owl species with glowing orange eyes and fluffy ear tufts. Artist Maria DeSimone Prascak of Maria’s Ideas (MariasIdeas.com) will instruct painters of all experience levels in this step-by-step course offered in person at the National Aviary and online. Under Maria’s instruction, artists will practice painting techniques to create their own masterpiece.
- Saturday, October 9
- 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- Presented in person at the National Aviary and live via Zoom
- Cost per person for virtual class: $23 for Members; $25 for non-Members, plus $20 per person plus $10 shipping for optional material kit
- Cost per person for in person class: $60 for Members; $65 for non-Members; materials and admission included
- Open to all ages
- Visit aviary.org to register. Space is limited; registration required.
Owl Encounter at the National Aviary
Offered Daily except for Tuesdays
Experience owls like never before during an immersive Owl Encounter! Learn about owls and their amazing adaptations, like their ability to turn their head almost all the way around and the special feathers that give them the ability to fly without making a sound. Dissect an owl pellet, see incredible biofacts like an owl beak up close, and don a special glove to hold an owl on your arm!
- Owl Encounters offered daily except for Tuesdays at 3 p.m.
- $66.60 for Members; $74 for non-Members; includes general admission
- Visit aviary.org to book in advance.