BigCatConniseur24
Well-Known Member
Hello fellow ZooChatters, I just got back from the National Aviary in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (it’s near downtown Pittsburgh where PNC Park and Heinz Field are). Anyways, let me tell you about my trip.
My trip started once I got to the Aviary at approximately 1:35 PM (EST), today. Upon presenting my ticket for timed ticket entry, the first bird that I got to see was one Burrowing Owl. It was in the far left side of its enclosure just sitting there and hanging out. I thought it had a nice enclosure, with rocks and lots of fake cactuses.
After that, we headed outside and driest saw a pair of Barred Owls, who were both perched high on opposite ends of their tree branch.
Next, we got a quick look at a portion of the exhibit of Condor Court, home to three Andean Condors. The trio of condors include, “Lurch” a male, and his two females; “Lianni and Precious.”
We then turned around and headed back inside because I had a Hawk Wild Encounter at 2:00 PM, and while we waited for the Hawk encounter, we went to Penguin Point, where we saw multiple African Penguins accompanied by Smew Ducks. Both the penguins and the Smews were fairly active.
The highlight of my day, finally came as 2:00 PM EST arrived, as I was taken into a show room and got to meet a male Red-Tailed Hawk, named “Prince.” He is a rescue bird who apparently got injured due to a shot wound in the wild, and is being used as an Educational animal ambassador. The two very nice and informative staff members first taught me all about some unique features of the red-tailed hawks, and then I put on a bird of prey handling glove and got to hold “Prince” on my left hand. The first and only time to date that I have ever gotten THIS close to a bird of prey. Having him sitting on my arm definitely made me truly appreciate the predatory power, but also the majestic grace and beauty of this amazing bird. After that I took multiple pictures of him close-up. I stayed with “Prince” until 2:30 PM, and then moved on with the rest of my bird safari.
We walked down a hall past, Penguin Point, and entered the Main Hall, home to two of my favorite species of the Aviary. The first exhibit was a pretty nice, woodland/forest themed habitat for a Bald Eagle, who was sitting on a tree branch. Seeing bald eagles, are always such a majestic sight, but I was when more impressed by the bird of prey further down the hall. I saw a Steller’s Sea Eagle in a nearly identical habitat. He was proudly displaying his handsome body and plumage standing on the ground before taking a perch in a tree.
We then encountered a very beautiful Toco Toucan perched in a tree, and displaying it’s incredibly large and handsome beak. Truly a beautiful bird all around. Sharing the toucan’s habitat were two birds, which I do not know of the species, but they had red faces with white feathers on the head, and they both looked plump and round in appearance.
Moving on, we explored the the Grasslands, home to numerous species of finches and similar birds, in addition to a pair of northern bobwhite quails.
Leaving the Grasslands behind, we ventured into what I believe to be one of the most outstanding and immersive exhibits in the Aviary...The Wetlands!! I’m a sucker for water birds of all kinds, so I had the time of my life in there. Some of the birds we saw were a flock of Inca Terns (I loved the terms because they were literally flying all over the place and above your head the whole time), beautiful American Flamingos, a Brown Pelican, a Snowy Egret, Roseate Spoonbills, Hadada Ibises, a Scarlet Ibis, a pair of Scaly-Sided Mergansers, Falcated Ducks, a beautiful Palawan Peacock Pheasant, a pair of Troupials. All the birds in this amazing and immersive habitat were extremely active, energetic, as most of them were busy eating shrimp and fish in the pool.
Continuing on our excursion, we journeyed into the Tropical Rainforest, which was equally impressive and immersive! Some of the species that we saw included a pair of beautiful Hyacinth Macaws (Benito and Sapphira), a stunningly handsome Victoria Crowned Pigeon, a Malayan Great Argus Pheasant displaying it’s enormous tail, a Southern Bald Ibises, Buffleheads, beautiful Pied Imperial Pigeons, a pair of Nicobar Pigeons, and “Wookie” a Linne’s Two-Toed Sloth.
We then explored Canary’s Call, and some of the species we saw included canaries obviously, Capuchinbirds, Guam Kingfishers, along with Malayan Flying Foxes.
We then visited the beautifully colored Rainbow Lorikeets and got a look at some of the things they eat and also some of the toys used for enrichment.
Moving along checked back briefly on the Burrowing Owl who was still patrolling the same spot, them went back outside to see the Barred Owls who were still perched as previously described, we got a much better view of the entire Andean Condor exhibit and the three condors, a Laughing Kookaburra, who was just sitting peacefully, a pair of handsome Demoiselle Cranes, and a pair of King Vultures, perched high.
Last, but certainly not least, I revisited the bald eagle who this time was taking a bird bath in its pool, revisited the much more active Steller’s Sea Eagle, and spent one final moment with the African Penguins and Smews. One of the penguins named, “Tribby” swam right up to the glass and playfully interacted with me, much to my delight.
Before leaving I bought a Wood Duck ornament and a blue National Aviary long-sleeved T-Shirt and then departed on my way to Primanti Bro’s for dinner (it’s a Pittsburgh restaurant famous for serving huge sandwiches with French fries and coleslaw on top). I will say that having finally visited the National Aviary, I am nothing but impressed by this beautifully amazing and important facility. All the birds were so active and immersive and engaged with visitors, and even though I love the Pittsburgh Zoo and PPG Aquarium, I was by far more impressed with the National Aviary, as the activity level of the birds was just amazing. I think the Wetlands and Tropical Rainforest are two of the best immersive exhibits out there and I highly recommend this amazing facility to anyone! It is definitely worth every second of your visit!
My trip started once I got to the Aviary at approximately 1:35 PM (EST), today. Upon presenting my ticket for timed ticket entry, the first bird that I got to see was one Burrowing Owl. It was in the far left side of its enclosure just sitting there and hanging out. I thought it had a nice enclosure, with rocks and lots of fake cactuses.
After that, we headed outside and driest saw a pair of Barred Owls, who were both perched high on opposite ends of their tree branch.
Next, we got a quick look at a portion of the exhibit of Condor Court, home to three Andean Condors. The trio of condors include, “Lurch” a male, and his two females; “Lianni and Precious.”
We then turned around and headed back inside because I had a Hawk Wild Encounter at 2:00 PM, and while we waited for the Hawk encounter, we went to Penguin Point, where we saw multiple African Penguins accompanied by Smew Ducks. Both the penguins and the Smews were fairly active.
The highlight of my day, finally came as 2:00 PM EST arrived, as I was taken into a show room and got to meet a male Red-Tailed Hawk, named “Prince.” He is a rescue bird who apparently got injured due to a shot wound in the wild, and is being used as an Educational animal ambassador. The two very nice and informative staff members first taught me all about some unique features of the red-tailed hawks, and then I put on a bird of prey handling glove and got to hold “Prince” on my left hand. The first and only time to date that I have ever gotten THIS close to a bird of prey. Having him sitting on my arm definitely made me truly appreciate the predatory power, but also the majestic grace and beauty of this amazing bird. After that I took multiple pictures of him close-up. I stayed with “Prince” until 2:30 PM, and then moved on with the rest of my bird safari.
We walked down a hall past, Penguin Point, and entered the Main Hall, home to two of my favorite species of the Aviary. The first exhibit was a pretty nice, woodland/forest themed habitat for a Bald Eagle, who was sitting on a tree branch. Seeing bald eagles, are always such a majestic sight, but I was when more impressed by the bird of prey further down the hall. I saw a Steller’s Sea Eagle in a nearly identical habitat. He was proudly displaying his handsome body and plumage standing on the ground before taking a perch in a tree.
We then encountered a very beautiful Toco Toucan perched in a tree, and displaying it’s incredibly large and handsome beak. Truly a beautiful bird all around. Sharing the toucan’s habitat were two birds, which I do not know of the species, but they had red faces with white feathers on the head, and they both looked plump and round in appearance.
Moving on, we explored the the Grasslands, home to numerous species of finches and similar birds, in addition to a pair of northern bobwhite quails.
Leaving the Grasslands behind, we ventured into what I believe to be one of the most outstanding and immersive exhibits in the Aviary...The Wetlands!! I’m a sucker for water birds of all kinds, so I had the time of my life in there. Some of the birds we saw were a flock of Inca Terns (I loved the terms because they were literally flying all over the place and above your head the whole time), beautiful American Flamingos, a Brown Pelican, a Snowy Egret, Roseate Spoonbills, Hadada Ibises, a Scarlet Ibis, a pair of Scaly-Sided Mergansers, Falcated Ducks, a beautiful Palawan Peacock Pheasant, a pair of Troupials. All the birds in this amazing and immersive habitat were extremely active, energetic, as most of them were busy eating shrimp and fish in the pool.
Continuing on our excursion, we journeyed into the Tropical Rainforest, which was equally impressive and immersive! Some of the species that we saw included a pair of beautiful Hyacinth Macaws (Benito and Sapphira), a stunningly handsome Victoria Crowned Pigeon, a Malayan Great Argus Pheasant displaying it’s enormous tail, a Southern Bald Ibises, Buffleheads, beautiful Pied Imperial Pigeons, a pair of Nicobar Pigeons, and “Wookie” a Linne’s Two-Toed Sloth.
We then explored Canary’s Call, and some of the species we saw included canaries obviously, Capuchinbirds, Guam Kingfishers, along with Malayan Flying Foxes.
We then visited the beautifully colored Rainbow Lorikeets and got a look at some of the things they eat and also some of the toys used for enrichment.
Moving along checked back briefly on the Burrowing Owl who was still patrolling the same spot, them went back outside to see the Barred Owls who were still perched as previously described, we got a much better view of the entire Andean Condor exhibit and the three condors, a Laughing Kookaburra, who was just sitting peacefully, a pair of handsome Demoiselle Cranes, and a pair of King Vultures, perched high.
Last, but certainly not least, I revisited the bald eagle who this time was taking a bird bath in its pool, revisited the much more active Steller’s Sea Eagle, and spent one final moment with the African Penguins and Smews. One of the penguins named, “Tribby” swam right up to the glass and playfully interacted with me, much to my delight.
Before leaving I bought a Wood Duck ornament and a blue National Aviary long-sleeved T-Shirt and then departed on my way to Primanti Bro’s for dinner (it’s a Pittsburgh restaurant famous for serving huge sandwiches with French fries and coleslaw on top). I will say that having finally visited the National Aviary, I am nothing but impressed by this beautifully amazing and important facility. All the birds were so active and immersive and engaged with visitors, and even though I love the Pittsburgh Zoo and PPG Aquarium, I was by far more impressed with the National Aviary, as the activity level of the birds was just amazing. I think the Wetlands and Tropical Rainforest are two of the best immersive exhibits out there and I highly recommend this amazing facility to anyone! It is definitely worth every second of your visit!