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National Aviary Calendar of Fall Programs and Activities

September 14, 2022

Branch Out this Fall with New Daily Activities, Fun Play Spaces, and More at the National Aviary

This fall, venture into warm, tropical habitats at the National Aviary, where beautiful birds perch, fly, and land close by amid lush foliage. As the seasons change, so does the experience of visiting the National Aviary! Autumn at the Aviary brings engaging new interactive programs, many included with admission, that take visitors on a journey to meet fascinating and unusual species and learn how to help protect birds and their forest habitats, from the dense forests of North America to the steamy rainforests found across the globe. Guests will have the chance to get close to an American Flamingo as it struts right by during Wonderful Waterbirds and attend a Condor Chick Chat to learn about the newest member of the National Aviary’s flock: a female Andean Condor chick who hatched June 7. Experiences in the National Aviary’s tranquil and lush habitats help visitors feel connected to nature. Friendly docents and staff can help guests deepen their knowledge of birds and their habitats. And, parents can relax while little ones explore new play spaces and daily activities to introduce them to the colorful world of birds. Find opportunities to get closer to birds and connect with nature with on-site special events like Owl-O-Ween and International African Penguin Awareness Day, or explore outdoors on a Birding Expedition or even on a Birdwatching Kayak Tour with L.L.Bean! 

Upcoming Events & Programs

2nd Annual National Aviary Hike-A-Thon Presented by UPMC Health Plan | September 1-30

Hike, bike, and explore the great outdoors while raising funds to support the National Aviary’s critical conservation work! After a successful inaugural event in 2021, the National Aviary’s Hike-A-Thon Presented by UPMC Health Plan is back. This online fundraiser allows supporters to participate virtually from anywhere in the world. A new and intuitive online platform helps connect hikers, bikers, and walkers to the National Aviary as they log their miles over the month of September and engage their networks all month long to help them support the Aviary. 

  • $40 registration includes limited-edition Hike-A-Thon shirt | Free registration also available
  • Participate from anywhere in the world
  • Register at  aviary.org

Riverboat Birding Tours with Rivers of Steel | September 3



Join National Aviary Ornithologist Bob Mulvihill and the Rivers of Steel Explorer boat captain for a birding experience like no other. Learn tips and tricks for spotting and identifying birds like cormorants, eagles, herons, and mergansers on this morning cruise along Pittsburgh’s scenic rivers. Participants are welcome to bring a brown bag lunch and non-alcoholic beverages.

  • 8:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m. (boarding begins 8 a.m.)
  • Departs from Rivers of Steel Dock at One Allegheny Avenue
  • $50 with National Aviary Membership; $55 without Membership
  • Registration required at  aviary.org 

Oktoberfest Brunch | Sunday, September 18

Welcome the start of the fall season and revel in delectable German cuisine prepared by Chef Josef Karst of Atria’s Specialty Catering. The merriment of this traditional festival comes to the National Aviary, where diners can gather in The Garden Room to relax over fresh pastries, hot coffee, and, of course, craft beer available for purchase alongside delicious Oktoberfest staples. After brunch, stroll through the National Aviary’s habitats for a wonderful Sunday afternoon. 

  1. Seatings at 11 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.
  2. Brunch includes National Aviary admission. Adults $55; Children 12 and under $35
  3. Advanced registration available soon at aviary.org

International African Penguin Awareness Day | October 8



Make a splash for penguin conservation! African Penguins are endangered and their populations in the wild are in decline. Visit the National Aviary to learn what can be done right here in Pittsburgh to help these charming tuxedoed birds survive and thrive. Meet the colony at Penguin Point, hear expert talks about this fascinating species, watch the penguins swim and waddle by to enjoy a meal, and find fun activities throughout the day. Learn how the National Aviary is leading the way for African Penguins and take the pledge to become a conservation hero for this much-loved species! Celebrate penguins anytime with add-on experiences: book an encounter with an African Penguin, and even get the opportunity to handfeed the colony with a private penguin feeding!

  • 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
  • Included with National Aviary admission
  • Book tickets in advance at  aviary.org

Owl-O-Ween | October 15-16 and 22-23  

Prepare to meet some of the most mysterious members of the bird world as Owl-O-Ween, the National Aviary’s annual celebration of creatures that flap and fly in the night, returns! Get a goody bag with treats made from sustainable palm oil, which helps save bird habitats. Get creative with a fun owl-themed craft. Explore the incredible adaptations of owls through expert talks, bird meet and greets and engaging activities throughout the Aviary. And, attend a special talk to meet another creature known for making nighttime flights: Malayan Flying Foxes, a surprisingly cute megabat species! For anyone who-o-o really loves owls, check out the add-on experience Brushes and Birds on October 15 and learn to paint an adorable Eastern Screech-Owl!

  • 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
  • Included with National Aviary admission
  • Book tickets in advance at  aviary.org; sellouts are likely!

Brushes & Birds | Saturday, October 15 & December 17

Pick up a paintbrush and let the creativity fly! Maria DeSimone Prascak of Maria’s Ideas (MariasIdeas.com) will provide step-by-step instructions to turn a blank canvas into a colorful portrait of a National Aviary animal. These sessions are designed for painters of all ages and abilities and include a visit from a National Aviary animal or one of the Aviary’s experts! Optional material kits can be purchased for virtual participants. Materials for in-person participants are included with registration. 

Saturday, October 15: Paint an Eastern Screech-Owl

Use the rustic colors of fall to paint a wide-eyed Eastern Screech-Owl, whose plumage gives it the perfect camouflage for autumn!

  • Presented in person and live via Zoom
  • 11 a.m.-1 p.m. EST
  • Virtual Class: $23 with a National Aviary Membership; $25 for non-Members (optional material kit for $20 plus $10 shipping)
  • In Person Class: $60 with a National Aviary Membership; $65 for non-Members (includes National Aviary admission and all materials)
  • All ages
  • Register at  aviary.org

Saturday, December 17: Paint an African Penguin

Paint a portrait of two dapper African Penguins decked out for the holidays in their signature tuxedoes! 

  • Presented in person and live via Zoom
  • 11 a.m.-1 p.m. EST
  • Virtual Class: $23 with a National Aviary Membership; $25 for non-Members (optional material kit for $20 plus $10 shipping)
  • In Person Class: $60 with a National Aviary Membership; $65 for non-Members (includes National Aviary admission and all materials)
  • All ages
  • Register at  aviary.org

Autumn Brunch | Sunday, October 16

Savor a delicious autumn harvest with dishes prepared by Atria’s Specialty Catering. Dine in The Garden Room, the National Aviary’s event space overlooking Lake Elizabeth, and take in gorgeous views of the fall scenery in the surrounding park. Enjoy fresh cut fruits, hot coffee and tea, and fresh pastries with a handcrafted delicacy created by Chef Josef Karst. Sip a refreshing brunch cocktail or craft beer as an add-on with brunch. After brunch, enjoy a stroll through the National Aviary’s habitats and experience Owl-O-Ween festivities – brunch includes admission!

  1. Seatings at 11 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.
  2. Brunch includes National Aviary admission. Adults $55; Children 12 and under $35
  3. Advanced registration available soon at aviary.org

Owl Prowls | October 16, 23, 28; November 5, 6, 11, 12

Who-o-o is calling from the forests at night? Head out at dusk on a twilight trek with a National Aviary expert to look and listen for Eastern Screech-Owls, Barred Owls, and Great-horned Owls in Pittsburgh’s parks! Learn to identify these species’ calls and explore some of the best habitats in the area for spotting these elusive birds. Discover the many adaptations owls have evolved that make them powerful nighttime hunters. Comfortable shoes are recommended. Trail conditions vary by location.

  • 7 p.m.-9 p.m.
  • $20 per person, per activity
  • Recommended for ages 7+
  • Locations vary; see  aviary.org soon for details and to register in advance

Harvest Brunch | Sunday, November 20

As the temperatures dip outside, gather in The Garden Room, the National Aviary’s cozy and welcoming event space, to celebrate the season over a specially prepared feast with loved ones. Warm up with hot coffee and tea next to one of two large stone fireplaces, enjoy fresh cut fruits and pastries, and savor a hearty meal made from scratch of the finest of the fall harvest. Spend a leisurely afternoon enjoying the National Aviary’s warm, tropical habitats. 

  1. Seatings at 11 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.
  2. Brunch includes National Aviary admission. Adults $55; Children 12 and under $35
  3. Advanced registration available soon at aviary.org

Birding Expeditions | September 10, October 15 & November 13

Meet up and explore some of the best birdwatching locations in Pennsylvania with Bob Mulvihill, the National Aviary’s Ornithologist, an expert with more than 50 years’ experience watching, studying, and appreciating birds. Full-fledged birders and brand new birdwatchers alike will benefit from a morning spent learning to identify birds by field marks, observing fascinating bird behaviors, and exploring beautiful natural settings just a short drive from home.

Sunday, September 4: Powdermill Avian Research Center Birding Expedition

Visit the beautiful Ligonier Valley, home to the Carnegie Museum of Natural History’s world-class avian research station, Powdermill Avian Research Center. Observe birds up close in the hands of trained researchers as they are banded, weighed, and measured as part of a long-term study. With nearly 30 years’ experience banding at Powdermill, National Aviary Ornithologist Bob Mulvihill is the ideal guide to the natural beauty of this Laurel Highlands gem and the birds that can be found there. 

  • 8:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m.
  • $50 with a National Aviary Membership; $55 for non-Members
  • Participants travel independently to birdwatching location
  • Register at  aviary.org

Saturday, October 15: Allegheny Front Birding Expedition

Take the scenic route on a trip to one of Pennsylvania’s most beautiful landscapes and a major route for migratory birds in the fall: the Allegheny Front on the border of Somerset and Bedford Counties in the Laurel Highlands. Raptors like Sharp-shinned Hawks, Peregrine Falcons, American Kestrels and possibly even Golden Eagles migrate through this area in the fall, riding the winds that sweep along the sharp ridges of the valley. Birdwatchers will have a fantastic view from the ridgeline looking down on potentially hundreds of raptors migrating through the valley below. 

Saturday, November 13: Yellow Creek State Park Birding Expedition

Just 1.5 hours east of Pittsburgh, Yellow Creek State Park is one of the state’s most reliable spots for watching birds during migration! Almost 150 species have been seen at the park, which attracts hundreds of waterbirds along with dozens of landbird species including Ruby- and Golden-crowned Kinglets, White-throated Sparrows, Fox Sparrows and more. 

  • 8:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m.
  • $50 with a National Aviary Membership; $55 for non-Members
  • Participants travel independently to birdwatching location
  • Register at aviary.org

Birdwatching Kayak Tours with L.L.Bean | September 18 & October 2



Experience birdwatching in a brand new way: on the water! Kayakers and birdwatchers of all skill levels can set out on North Park Lake with the help of a National Aviary expert and the experienced team at L.L.Bean. All equipment, from safety flotation devices to L.L.Bean Discovery Binoculars, will be provided by L.L.Bean along with on-land instruction for a safe and fun trip. 

Sunday, September 18: “A Morning with the Birds” Birdwatching Kayak Tour with L.L.Bean

Brush up on birdwatching skills or dive in for the first time on this engaging kayak tour led by a National Aviary expert. 

  • 8 a.m.-11 a.m.
  • $75 per person
  • North Park Lake
  • 8 years and older; under 18 must be accompanied by a paying adult
  • Register at aviary.org

Sunday, October 2: “Fall Foliage” Birdwatching Kayak Tour with L.L.Bean

Enjoy a spectacular display of autumn’s vibrant colors from a unique vantage point while looking for birds on a leisurely trip on North Park Lake.

  • 8 a.m.-11 a.m.
  • $75 per person
  • North Park Lake
  • 8 years and older; under 18 must be accompanied by a paying adult
  • Register at aviary.org

Early Childhood Activities | September 7, October 5, November 2 & December 7

Experience a special morning discovering the world of birds! Little learners ages 2 to 5 will enjoy story time and sensory play activities like puppet shows or puzzles that will introduce them to fascinating birds of all different sizes, shapes, and colors. After story time, spend the morning exploring the National Aviary’s habitats and see beautiful, colorful birds up close.

  • 10:30 a.m.-11 a.m.
  • Included with National Aviary admission
  • Book tickets in advance at aviary.org

Sensory Friendly Mornings | September 19, October 10, November 14 & December 12

Explore the National Aviary during a sensory inclusive morning designed for all visitors to make the most of their Aviary experience. Sensory Bags from Kulture City, each equipped with headphones, fidget toys and other items, are available to borrow during any National Aviary visit, and a helpful sensory guide to the sights, sounds and climate of the National Aviary’s habitats can be viewed in advance at aviary.org. Visitors can see and touch biofacts during their visit and enjoy a sensory-friendly version of African Adventure Presented by AAA Travel at 11 a.m. During this immersive bird show, lighting is consistent and volume is low, setting the stage for an engaging experience. 

  • 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
  • Call the National Aviary at 412-323-7235 for more information

Teen Job Shadow | Saturdays, October 29-November 19

Future conservationists, veterinarians, and animal care experts can get a jumpstart on pursuing their passions during the National Aviary’s exciting Teen Job Shadow program. This engaging four-part series lets teens go behind the scenes to experience the range of careers available to those aspiring to work with animals. Participants can gain hands-on experience and have face-time with experts in the fields of aviculture, conservation, and veterinary sciences to set them up for success as they plan for their future careers helping animals thrive. 

  • 1 p.m.-3 p.m.
  • $299 for full series of sessions
  • Open to ages 14-18
  • Register soon at aviary.org 

Save the Date for Holidays at the National Aviary

One Day Camp | Friday, November 25 

Registration is coming soon for this fan favorite holiday kickoff! Kids will explore the National Aviary, have exciting behind-the-scenes experiences, and learn about what it takes to care for the more than 500 animals that call the Aviary home. Check aviary.org soon for registration information!


Season’s Greetings Saturdays | November 26, December 3, December 10, December 17 

Find good tidings and festive fun at the National Aviary during Season’s Greetings Saturdays! Meet beautiful birds, enjoy engaging activities for children, snap holiday card-ready family photos in front of cheerful backdrops, and even send a letter to Santa via the National Aviary’s North Pole-approved mailbox! More details coming soon to aviary.org. 


Holiday Brunch in the Garden | Sunday, December 11 

Savor delicious dishes from Atria’s Specialty Catering, fresh cut fruit, delectable pastries, and brunch cocktails (available for purchase) in The Garden Room, the National Aviary’s luxurious event space overlooking Lake Elizabeth! After brunch, stroll through the Aviary’s lush habitats. Seating times, menu information, and tickets available soon at aviary.org. 


Winter Camp | Tuesday, December 27 & Wednesday, December 28

Bring more cheer to the end of the year with a fun day with the birds at the National Aviary! Campers will go behind the scenes, meet amazing birds and learn about their adaptations, and explore warm, tropical habitats. Check aviary.org for registration information coming soon!


Holiday Lights and Late Nights | December 26-30 

Keep the holiday joy going with a family-friendly night at the National Aviary! Enjoy seasonal treats from Atria’s Specialty Catering, festive music and décor, meet and greets with beautiful birds, and the chance to warm up in tropical habitats. The National Aviary will be open late for these popular seasonal evening! Visit aviary.org soon for more details. 



The National Aviary’s fall season begins September 7.


The National Aviary will be closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. 

The Aviary will close early at 3 p.m. on Halloween and New Year’s Eve.