National Aviary facts for kids
The National Aviary front entrance.
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| Date opened | 1952; 1991 (went private) |
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| Location | Allegheny Commons West 700 Arch Street Pittsburgh, PA, 15212 United States |
| Coordinates | 40°27′12″N 80°00′36″W / 40.4533°N 80.01°W |
| No. of animals | 500+ |
| No. of species | 150 |
The National Aviary in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, is a special place dedicated to birds. It's the only independent indoor bird zoo (called an aviary) in the United States. It's also the biggest aviary in the country! The U.S. Congress even gave it the special title of "National" aviary.
This amazing place is home to over 500 birds. These birds represent more than 150 different kinds, or species. The National Aviary is also a member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). This means it meets high standards for animal care.
Contents
Discover the National Aviary: Location and Fun Features
The National Aviary is located at 700 Arch Street. You can find it on Pittsburgh's Northside. It's inside Allegheny Commons West Park.
The Aviary is open almost every day of the year. It's only closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day. You can often watch the birds being fed. This happens for both plant-eating and meat-eating birds. Since 1999, over 100,000 people visit the Aviary each year.
The National Aviary offers many fun activities. These change with the seasons. You can watch the penguins eat at Penguin Point. This area lets you see the African Penguins swim underwater. You can even pay extra for a special Penguin Encounter. Or you can do a Private Penguin Feeding! There are also talks from experts. You can see amazing flight demonstrations. These activities help you feel closer to the birds.
In 2010, the Aviary finished a big update. They added a new café and classrooms. They also opened the Helen M. Schmidt FliteZone Theater. This theater is the first indoor theater in the U.S. made just for bird shows! The Aviary also started outdoor shows. These happen from the new Sky Deck. You can see eagles, falcons, and kites flying over West Park.
Meet the Birds: Species and Conservation Efforts
The Aviary cares for over 500 birds. They come from more than 150 different species. Many of these birds are rare or endangered in the wild. The Aviary has one of the most varied bird collections in North America.
Because of this, you'll see birds here that are hard to find elsewhere. Examples include Andean Condors. You can also see the very rare Vietnam Pheasant and Bali Myna.
Some of the most loved birds are Benito and Sapphira. They are Hyacinth Macaws. You might also spot Wookiee the Two-toed Sloth. Both live in the Tropical Rainforest habitat. The Aviary has also had success with breeding birds. Their spectacled owls had a chick named Franklin in 2006. Franklin sometimes visits with trainers. He helps teach visitors about Spectacled Owls.
Helping Birds: Species Survival Plans
The National Aviary helps with Species Survival Plans. These plans work to protect endangered birds. This includes the Bali Myna, which is almost extinct in the wild. They also help the Guam Kingfisher and the African Penguin.
The Aviary's first two African Penguin chicks hatched in 2012. In 2013, a baby Eurasian owlet hatched. It doubled in size in just five days! In 2021, another endangered African Penguin chick hatched. This was the eleventh chick born at the Aviary.
In 2019, the Guam Rail bird's status improved. It went from "extinct in the wild" to "critically endangered." The National Aviary has hatched more Guam Rails than any other zoo in North America.
History of the National Aviary
The National Aviary started in 1952. It was part of the Pittsburgh Aviary-Conservatory. The city built it on the site of an old greenhouse. It began as one building. In 1967, it grew much larger. But in 1991, the city could no longer fund it.
From City to Community: Becoming Private
In 1991, local leaders formed "Save the Aviary, Inc." They worked hard to raise money. They also made a plan to make the Aviary private. Jill Sims was the first leader of this group. Mark P. Masterson helped create a business plan. Save the Aviary, Inc. then took over the facility.
A National Honor: Gaining Special Status
On October 27, 1993, the U.S. Congress gave the Aviary a special honor. It was renamed the National Aviary in Pittsburgh. President Bill Clinton signed this into law. In 1995, a big fundraising effort helped renovate the Aviary. This made the facility modern. In 2005, the Aviary started a new department. It focuses on helping bird populations in other countries.
In 2006, Pennsylvania gave the Aviary money. This was for a big project. It included a new education center. In 2008, the Aviary announced a $23 million plan. This would expand exhibition space. Most of the money came from private groups.
Recent Updates and Exciting Events
Cheryl Tracy became the Aviary's Executive Director in 2013. Under her leadership, the Aviary has completed many projects. This includes the "Taking Flight" campaign. It created the Penguin Point habitat. This is home to the endangered African Penguins.
The Aviary also built Condor Court. This outdoor area is for Andean Condors. It looks like the rocky cliffs where they live. In 2018, the oldest room, the Tropical Rainforest, was updated. It got new water features. It also got a special bird-safe glass ceiling. This habitat won an award in 2019!
In 2020, The National Aviary opened The Garden Room. This is a large space for events and education.
On September 25, 2021, a Steller’s Sea Eagle named Kodiak got out of his habitat. Many staff and volunteers helped search for him. Community members also reported sightings. Kodiak returned safely to the Aviary on October 3, 2021.
Gallery
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Franklin, the spectacled owl chick - now (2021) an adult
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Wattled curassow, named Joanie
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Wattled curassow, named Joanie
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A close-up of the Aviary's Victoria crowned pigeon
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An Inca tern
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A girl feeds worms to a golden-breasted starling.
