National Aviary

The National Aviary in Pittsburgh, PA is the nation's premier bird zoo. They offer interactive encounters, daily feedings, and they have over 600 feathery friends of more than 200 species from all over the world. They are open daily 9am-5pm (closed Christmas), and the winter hours 10a-5pm, beginning Sept. 2. The Lories and Friends exhibit is open daily 10am-4pm. Admission is $9.00 for adults, Seniors over 60 are $8.00, childeren 2-12 are $7.50, under 2 are free. You can actually become a member and admission is free all year round.
There is limited free parking available on site. The entrance is on Arch St. There is Motor Coach parking available on Arch St. as well.
Besides the fun of just being at the Aviary, they also have Early Bird Specials, a Penguin encounter, Facility Rentals, Lunch on the Fly, Trainer for a day, and a Adopt a bird program.
The aviary has different sections. There is the Wetlands, that actually rains at 2:00pm, so you can watch the birds bask in the rain from your stay dry area. I really like this area. It's a large room "rain forest", with actual plant life, and a watering hole. The birds are free to fly and roam, so you can get up close encounters and great pictures. There is also a section of the Sea Eagles, Bald Eagles, Red-Crowned Cranes, a Two-Toed Sloth named Wookie, Tropical Song Birds, and Pennsylvania backyard. There is also the Tropical Rainforest, that again is a large room with plant life, a watering hole, and the birds and you, are free to roam and fly. If you proceed through the back, the door is there that takes you to Hornbill Hall, the Pygmy Falcons, Rhinoceros Hornbills, Owlets, African Weavers, and Lories and friends. Outside there is an area of Bald Eagles, Andean COndors, and the Green Garden.
The Aviary has a lot of fun daily scheduled events which are free by the way with admission. A lot of them take place in the Atrium. Some of the daily events are the Wetlands feeding where you help the trainers feed the birds, The Lories and friends feeding, where you help feed, there is a Little Peepers Story Time, aimed for kids 2-6, where you hear stories, make crafts, and meet feathery friends. There is the West Park Wild Life Walk in the Atrium, where, with the trainers, you will discover the wildlife living outside our walls, the Tropical Forest Feeding, where you stand by the fountain and feed the birds. Mondays and Tuesdays, there is the Penguin Premiere, where you get to meet one of the African Penguins. Outside, daily in the Rose Garden, you can watch the Flitezone Bird show, where you see amazing flights and close encounters during a bird show.
You can observe the bird hospital area, where you can chat with the Vet's as you watch them perform daily check ups, vaccinations, and other veterinary procedures.
You can observe the kitchen window, and watch the chefs cook up gourmet treats that only a bird could love.
I was very iffy about going to the Aviary, but I had such a good time. I was a little upset that we missed the African Penguins, but I plan on going back.
You can check out the website at www.aviary.org for more information. Most of the above info is from the free map/pamphlet that I received upon admission.
They have a great gift shops that sells souvenirs, bird books, houses, magnets, etc. And they have the all important smashed penny machine in the Atrium area.
If you are going to be in the Pittsburgh area, check it out.
For more pictures, please check my blog. I really got some great shots.