September 3, 2025 (Pittsburgh, Penn.) – The National Aviary is excited to announce the arrival of a new “fantastical” fall seasonal theme sure to delight kids and families alike. Starting today, Forests Presented by Peoples, will transport guests to the fabled-inspired lands of stories beginning with “Once Upon a Time” to meet the species who inhabit them during BRAND NEW Expert Talks, Feedings, and MORE Daily Activities included with General Admission. One of these fanciful figures include Dillon, the Martial Eagle, whose features instantly evoke the mythical half-horse, half-eagle creature known as the Hippogriff from Roman Greek folklore. During a Fantastical Eagle Meet and Greet, held daily in the Helen M. Schmidt FliteZone™ Theater, visitors will learn all about majestic species like his and other ’beasts’ from an Aviary enchanter.
Martial Eagles, often referred to as the “leopard of the air,” both for their spotted pattern and ferocious efficiency as predators, is not surprisingly one of the strongest eagle species in Africa. Legend even says the species is powerful enough to knock an adult man off his feet! Their species is often found in sparse woodlands edging habitats such as steppes, savannas, and shrublands. Despite avoiding settled areas, Martial Eagles are facing a rapid decline in the wild due to habitat loss and pollution, as well as collisions, and electrocution associated with power lines. The Aviary’s new Fantastical Eagle Meet and Greet will build awareness about these challenges, and others, that the species faces in the wild. It will also give visitors a truly unique, photo-worthy memory of an almost mythical eagle.
“We are so excited for guests to have this opportunity to meet an incredible bird like Dillon!” says Cathy Schlott, director of animal programs and experiences. “The National Aviary is the ONLY AZA-accredited institution in Western PA with a Martial Eagle in our flock, so guests are truly getting a magical, one-of-a-kind experience during their visit that is included with General Admission!”
In addition to the Fantastical Eagle Meet and Greet, National Aviary General Admission tickets (free for Members!) include: the chance to discover TWO more eagle species, the Bald Eagle and the Steller’s Sea Eagle, during the Eagles of the Forest Expert Talk, watch even more birds with dream-like qualities enjoy a tasty meal during the Whimsical Wetlands and Forest Fables Expert Feedings, and unlimited access to imaginative interactive play spaces for kids!
Guests can get closer and perhaps even closer to more surreal forest-dwelling species by purchasing add-on experiences. These include hand-feeding Rainbow Lorikeets; taking a virtual trip to national parks around the globe on the new flight simulator program Birdly World; attending the Aviary’s most immersive bird show to date: Passport to Parks, presented by AAA Travel; and learning all about “Life Underground” while meeting an Aviary fan-favorite Aviary Animal Ambassadors known for their burrowing skills, such as a Striped Skunk and a Four-toed Hedgehog.
“Fall is such a fun and exciting time to visit the Aviary,” continues Cathy. “Not only do we have new daily programming, unique add-on opportunities, classes and workshops; October marks the return of two signature animal-lover celebrations: International African Penguin Awareness Day and Owl-O-ween, that you won’t want to miss!”
For more information on daily activities, the full list of upcoming events, and the birds that 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 fall season begins September 3.
The National Aviary will be closed most Tuesdays through December 16.
We will be open on the Tuesday before Thanksgiving and during the week between Christmas and New Year’s Eve.
The National Aviary will be closed on Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day.
The Aviary will close at 3 p.m. on New Year’s Eve.