Forest animals central focus of aviary programs this fall
Where can you find dense North American woodlands and swampy wetlands, African savannahs, deserts, and lush tropical rainforests — all in one place? At the National Aviary on the North Side.
“Explore Forests and Their Inhabitants” is the theme of fall programs at the aviary.
Forests exist all over the world and are home to “mysterious owls, social parrots and powerful birds of prey,” according to the news release. Visitors can see those birds in the aviary’s walk-through habitats and interactive daily programs. Interactive programs include the popular Owl-o-Ween, where big-eyed raptors are available for meet and greets in the Helen M. Schmidt FliteZone Theater and children get treat bags and owl-themed craft kits.
The weekend Owl-o-Ween activities are set for Oct. 16, 17, 23 and 24, but they fill up quickly. Order tickets soon at aviary.org. The free admission day slots honoring RAD funding are already filled.
As part of the aviary’s COVID-19 safety protocols, visitors buy
tickets and schedule visits online to make sure there are not too many people in the facility at the same time. Face masks are required for all visitors over the age of 2.
“We’re delighted to report that 99% of National Aviary staff are fully vaccinated against COVID-19, helping to protect themselves and others,” states a notice on the website.
The owl programs are included in the general admission price.
The African Adventure Presented by AAA Travel is an additional $5. At 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., an “immersive bird show” includes an African penguin waddling just a few feet away and an elegant grey crowned crate spreading her 6-foot wingspan.
The rainbow lorikeets can be fed by visitors at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. for $3. Native to Australia, lorikeets are among the many species killed or threatened by wildfires there. The cute and very vocal birds gently land on the outstretched arms of visitors who feed them.
At noon, you can “Meet an Eagle or Forest Friend,” an activity sponsored by Giant Eagle.
Every day at 1 p.m. is the “Barred Owl Talk” presented by Pennsylvania Cyber Charter School. Barred owls are common in southwestern
Pennsylvania but are seldom seen by people because the nocturnal birds fly so silently.
Meet a brown pelican in the wetlands habitat at 1 p.m. The iconic water birds — the state bird of Louisiana — have huge beaks that scoop up fish. Sometimes visitors get the chance to toss a fish at feeding time.
At the Forest’s Edge Feeding at 11:30 a.m. in the wetlands habitat, fascinating forest birds will fly close to visitors during a special feeding and a talk by a staffer. Learn about the conservation of wetland species, including the critically endangered Bali myna and the eye-catching plush-crested jay.
More than 100 birds live in the Tropical Rainforest habitat, and they’re fed daily at 2 p.m. Many will fly close to visitors as a staff member feeds them.
The popular African penguins are hand-fed at 10:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. at their outdoor habitat. The exhibit is set up so visitors can view them on the surface of the pool and swimming beneath it. They seem to enjoy seeing people and usually swim up to the glass.
The National Aviary is at 700 Arch St. 15212. Hours are 10 a.m.-5 p.m. every day except Tuesday. Admission is $17.95 for adults, $16.95 for seniors and $14.95 for children. Kids under 2 get in for free.
Go to aviary.org to see other special programs, including Birdwatching Kayak Tours with L.L. Bean on Sept. 19 and Oct. 3 at North Park Lake. An L.L. Bean guide will lead and an aviary staffer will help kayakers spot birds.
The cost is $75 per person, which includes kayaks, binoculars and safety equipment provided by L.L. Bean. Space is limited, and advance registration is required.