National Aviary
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| National Aviary | |
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| Date opened | 1952; 1991 (went private) |
| Location | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA |
| # of Animals | 600+ |
| # of Species | 200 |
| Accreditations/ Memberships |
AZA |
| Website | |
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The National Aviary in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania is America's only independent indoor nonprofit aviary (that is, a bird zoo). It is also America's largest aviary, and the only accorded honorary "National" status by the United States Congress.
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[edit] Location and features
The Aviary is located in Allegheny Commons West Park in the North Side neighborhood of Pittsburgh.
The Aviary is open from 9:00 to 5:00 every day of the year except December 25. Although some of the birds must be fed in private, almost all feedings (both vegetarian and carnivorous) are scheduled and viewable by visitors.
Recently, the Aviary added a series of interactive encounters for visitors. Some of these include: Penguin Connection, a private encounter with an African Penguin, Penguin & Me, a penguin encounter for toddlers and parents, Wings of the World, a free-flight, outdoor bird show, and Lories & Friends (Started May 2007), a bird-feeding adventure. These programs are joined by various trainer talks, bird presentations, feedings and encounters that help to create an immersive experience for Aviary visitors.
[edit] Birds
The Aviary is home to 600+ birds of more than 200 species, many of which are threatened or endangered in the wild. This is probably the most diverse collection in the world and certainly in North America (exceeding, for example, the esteemed San Diego Zoo[1], Washington's National Zoo[2], and Niagara Falls Aviary[3])
As a result, the Aviary has many breeds that are rarely found in other zoos or aviaries, for example: the Bare-necked Fruitcrows, Paradise Tanagers, White-tailed Trogon, Scarlet-headed Blackbird, Yellow-throated Laughing Thrush, Blue-winged Mountain Tanager, Pompadour Cotinga, Blue-necked Tanager, and Lesser Green Broadbill.[4]
Among the most popular residents are Benito the hyacinth Macaw and his roommate Killer the Green-winged Macaw. Their spacious new room is the first exhibit on the right from the main entrance. Both are trained, and perform at occasional educational exhibitions. The Aviary has also had recent success in breeding;[1] its Spectacled Owls had their first chick named Franklin (after Benjamin Franklin), who hatched in September 2006. Franklin can be seen in one of the Aviary's exhibits.
The National Aviary also takes part in breeding programs designed to increase the numbers of endangered birds like the Bali Mynah (extinct in the wild) and the red-crowned crane.[5] Some of these birds will eventually be reintroduced into the wild.
[edit] History and funding
The National Aviary began as part of the Pittsburgh Aviary-Conservatory, built by the City in 1952. When the dwindling of Pittsburgh's urban tax base forced the city to closing the institution in 1991, it went private.
In 1993, by declaration of the US Congress, the Pittsburgh Aviary was designated honorary national status and renamed the National Aviary in Pittsburgh. A successful capital campaign was undertaken in 1995 to raise funds for essential renovations, completed in 1997, that thoroughly modernized the facility. In January 2005 the National Aviary created the Department of Conservation and Field Research, which so far has mainly focused on restoring bird populations in foreign countries with histories of extreme environmental degradation.
In July 2006, the Pennsylvania state government granted the first $500,000 toward a $22.5 million project that will include a new education center and expanded exhibits, slated for opening in 2008.[2]
Since 1999, annual attendance has consistently topped 100,000.[6]
[edit] Gallery
 Franklin, the Spectacled Owl chick |
 Bali Starling (also known as Bali Mynah) |
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 A Grey-Winged Trumpeter |
 A wattled curassow preens itself |
 Wattled curassow |
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 A girl feeds worms to a Golden-breasted Starling |
[edit] References
- ^ Linda Wilson Fuoco. "Moves at aviary please residents and visitors alike", Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, June 19, 2006.
- ^ "Aviary gets state grant", Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, July 14, 2006.
[edit] External links
Zoo • Public aquarium • Aviary • Menagerie • Tourist attraction
List of zoos • List of aquaria • List of zoo associations
Animals in captivity • Environmental enrichment • Endangered species • Conservation biology • Biodiversity • Endangered species • Extinction • Ex-situ conservation • In-situ conservation • Wildlife conservation • Zoology
