Outdoor Birdwatching Classes

Outdoor Birdwatching Classes

A Black-throated Blue Warbler sitting on a small branch in Western PA's Cook Forest. The Warbler is looking to its left, showcasing a large spot of white plumage on its chest, surrounded by various black and blue feathers.

Birding Expedition Bus Tour: Presque Isle

Sat., May 2 | 7 am – 2:30 pm | Members: $134; Non-Members: $149 
Transportation and Lunch from Atria’s Specialty Catering Included
A pickup location will be sent to registrants one week prior to the Expedition
| Register Today

  • Birding Expedition Bus Tour: Presque Isle Details
    Spring migration is full speed ahead: Join the National Aviary for a day of song-birding beauty! Meet us at the Aviary and leave the driving to us as we head to the sand dunes of Presque Isle!
     
    A warbler perched on a pine branch
     
    Birders and animal-lovers alike will be able to hone their bird identification skills with returning songbirds, while younger families with birding beginners can learn the basics as you explore one of Western Pennsylvania’s most beautiful locations. Presque Isle is also a top birdwatching spots in the country, prized by birders in our region and beyond.
     
    Don’t miss your chance to explore this scenic landscape during peak warbler migration alongside Aviary experts like Ornithologist Bob Mulvihill and Educator and Photographer Mike Faix; experienced birding experts who will also be able to provide interesting information and birding tales appealing to kids and adults alike. 
     
    Birding Expeditions are open to participants 6 years and older. Those under 18 must be accompanied by a registered adult. Bring your own binoculars or borrow a part from us! 

Birding Expedition: Cook Forest

Sun., June 21 | 8:30 am – 11:30 pm | Members: $50; Non-Members: $55
Meet at Cook Forest | Register Today

  • Birding Expedition Cook Forest Details

    Walk amongst the historic, towering white pines and hemlock trees of Cook Forest, where you’ll join the National Aviary for a day of song-birding! Underneath the photo-worthy Forest Cathedral, birders and animal-lovers alike will be able to hone their bird identification skills, while younger families with birding beginners can learn the basics as you explore one of Western Pennsylvania’s most beautiful locations.

     
    A Winter Wren resting on a log that had fallen from a tree
     
    These woods are a crucial breeding ground for many of Pennsylvania’s most sought-after songbirds. Join the Aviary to zoom in on colorful songbirds with Aviary experts like Ornithologist Bob Mulvihill and Educator and Photographer Mike Faix; experienced birding experts who will also be able to provide interesting information and birding tales appealing to kids and adults alike. 
     
    Birding Expeditions are open to participants 6 years and older. Those under 18 must be accompanied by a registered adult. Bring your own binoculars or borrow a pair from us!

Birding Expedition: Powdermill Nature Reserve and Avian Research Center

Sat., September 26 | 8:30 – 11:30 am
Members: $50; Non-Members: $55 
Meet at the Powdermill Nature Reserve and Avian Research Center | Register Today

  • Birding Expedition Powdermill Nature Reserve and Avian Research Center Details
    A photo-worthy day full of important conservation work, stunning views, and beautiful birds! Begin your day at the Powdermill Avian Research Center, part of the Carnegie Museum of Natural History’s Powdermill Nature Reserve. Here, you can watch skilled ornithologists gently capture, band, and release wild birds – an up-close look at avian research and conservation in action. It’s a rare chance to see warblers, thrushes, and other songbirds just inches away while learning about migration and habitat studies.
     
    Bob Mulvihill holding a bird during banding while onlookers closely watch the gentle process
     
    Join the Aviary to zoom in on birds like warblers, thrushes, vireos, and flycatchers with Ornithologist Bob Mulvihill and Educator and Photographer Mike Faix, who will be able to provide interesting information and birding tales appealing to kids and adults alike.  Afterward, we continue our adventure into the Laurel Highlands with a visit to the Spruce Flats Bog, a unique high-elevation wetland surrounded by spruce and tamarack trees. A short boardwalk trail leads you through mossy hummocks and quiet pools where we may spot migrant birds on their journey south.
     
    Birding Expeditions are open to participants 6 years and older. Those under 18 must be accompanied by a registered adult. Bring your own binoculars, or borrow an Aviary pair from us!

Birding Expedition: Blue Spruce County Park

Sat., November 14 | 8:30 – 11:30 am | Members: $50; Non-Members: $55 
Meet Blue Spruce County Park | Register Today

  • Birding Expedition: Blue Spruce County Park Details
    Make your own magical woodland moment come to life with a trip to Blue Spruce County Park. Meet up with National Aviary Educator and Photographer Mike Faix and Ornithologist Robert Mulvihill for a morning of birdwatching…and chickadee feeding! Birders and animal-lovers will be able to hone bird identification skills, while younger families with birding beginners can learn the basics as you explore one of Western Pennsylvania’s most beautiful locations.
     
    A chickadee sitting on the outstretched hand of a woman, waiting for sunflower seeds
     
    Join us for this very special Indiana County birding experience, where adorable chickadees have been taught to land on the outstretched fingertips of bird watchers of all ages for scrumptious sunflower seeds! Having birds land on your hand for a seasonal snack is a very special and memorable experience for ALL ages that you don’t want to miss! Of course, November is near the height of fall bird migration, so Bob and Mike will also lead you on a park exploration in search of waterfowl and other traveling species. Both experts are experienced birding and education expert who will be able to provide interesting information and birding tales appealing to kids and adults alike. 
     

    Birding Expeditions are open to participants 6 years and older. Those under 18 must be accompanied by a registered adult. Bring your own binoculars, or borrow an Aviary pair that we’ll help you use!

Visit our FAQ section of our website for our cancellation policy.

In cases of insufficient registration, the National Aviary reserves the right to cancel any program. Under these circumstances, you will receive a full refund. 

In The News

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In this article, we speak with Dr. Steven Latta, Director of Conservation and Field Research at The National Aviary. In his own work, he collects eDNA samples from water, leaf litter, feathers, egg shells, and other substrates to identify species presence.

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“Large animals can conserve heat more efficiently than smaller animals in cold climates,” explains Bob Mulvihill, Lead Ornithologist for the National Aviary.

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The Penguins Pledge will also raise funds and call attention to the National Aviary in Pittsburgh and their conservation leadership with African Penguins.

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Record Number of Peregrine Falcons Counted in Allegheny County | National Today

Conservation efforts have helped the raptor species rebound in the region.

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To help ensure your birdhouses are as appealing to birds as possible, [we] asked a National Aviary Ornithologist Bob Mulvihill for the most common reasons why houses remain vacant and how to make houses more attractive to garden birds.

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