Guests will explore a kaleidoscope of feathered fun during the new themed summer season, “Colors in Flight” at the National Aviary, offering them up-close access to extraordinary birds and mammals from all over the world without leaving Pittsburgh! The new season began Saturday, May 25, and runs through Monday, September 2.
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Visitors can enjoy a colorful world as brilliantly colored birds soar through lush tropical habitats. Included with admission are engaging new daily activities, interactive play spaces, larger-than-life décor, and curated educational programming that highlights the various ways different species utilize feather pigmentation in their natural habitats, whether to attract mates or to ward off predators.
Daily Talks and Experiences: At the heart of the Colors in Flight season are new daily activities, including the Colorful Kings Talk, held at 2 pm in Condor Court. Guests witness the beauty of King Vultures as they flaunt their rainbow-hued plumage and learn how their coloring makes them the brightest vulture species.
 Wetlands feeding at National Aviary |
The adventure continues as guests go on a feather-themed scavenger hunt throughout the Aviary, perfect for all ages! Guests can spot Victoria Crowned Pigeons with majestic blue crowns inside the Tropical Rainforest, perfectly pink flamingos in the Wetlands, and the iconic red feathers of the new Crested Partridge chicks in Canary’s Call presented by Dollar Bank! Attend fan-favorite daily feedings offered in the Tropical Rainforest at 11:30 am and 1:30 pm in the Wetlands at 12 and 2:30 pm. Guests also have an opportunity to study the tuxedoed colored coats of the National Aviary African Penguin colony at Penguin Point with a chance to watch as they enjoy a meal of sustainable fish at several feedings throughout the day. While there, meet the colony’s two newest members, Dave and Rita Mae, who hatched last November and just joined the habitat at the end of May!
 Wetlands feeding at National Aviary |
This Summer Only! Guests can see real color in true flight during SkyDeck, the National Aviary’s exclusive summer-only live rooftop bird show presented by the Pittsburgh International Airport. They will take in a color palette of grey, black, and white bird species that fly overhead. Watch as Lightning-fast Lanner Falcons swoop down, demonstrating their agility and impressive speed, while sleek Black Kites soar through the sky and Hooded Vultures take flight from the rooftop using their black-and-white feathers.
 Child feeding Rainbow Lorikeets at National Aviary |
Extraordinary Add-on Opportunities: Enhance the immersive experience with add-on opportunities, feed bright, vibrant Rainbow Lorikeets; take a virtual flight with Birdly® Presented by Vitro; and watch an exhilarating free-flight live, immersive bird show, Habitat Heroes Presented by AAA Travel, starring Clover, the Grey Crowned Crane, a Bald Eagle, and an Eurasian Eagle-Owl, who all demonstrate their incredible adaptations! Get even closer to an owl, sloth, falcon, or penguin with exclusive Animal Encounters, or enjoy the Jr. Penguin Encounter with little ones.
 Father and child at Penguin Point at National Aviary |
All Animal Encounters include the cost of admission and can be booked in advance at aviary.org.
Interactive Play Spaces for Kids:
Little learners can enjoy engaging play spaces throughout the Aviary, designed especially for them to use their creativity and imagination. These include putting on the ultimate colorful production in the Puppet Theater, sorting birds and objects by their vibrancy at the Colors in Flight Sensory Table, exploring the brightly-colored world of reading at the Book Nook, getting artsy with giant magnetic tangrams to create a one-of-a-kind masterpiece, and watching as their vivid drawings come to life onscreen!
“Summer at the National Aviary is like no other! Colors in Flight offers guests of all ages a chance to experience once-in-a-lifetime opportunities without leaving the city,” says Cathy Schlott, director of animal programs and experiences. “In addition to the daily activities, enthralling environment, and new play spaces, we also have exciting upcoming special events and interactive programming including birdwatching tours and expeditions, a Falconry workshop, summer camp for adults, Brushes & Birds with Maria DeSimone Prascak of Maria’s Ideas and last but certainly not least, the return of the summer’s hottest party of the year, Night in the Tropics: Island Oasis Presented by UPMC Health Plan!”
For a full line-up of daily activities and to stay up to date on upcoming events and the National Aviary’s ongoing conservation efforts, visit aviary.org.
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