National Aviary to open Sky Deck

The National Aviary is opening its rooftop Sky Deck this Saturday, weather permitting, where visitors at least 42” tall can watch African birds of prey flying free twice a day throughout the summer.

The Aviary is the only zoo in the U.S. to fly a massive martial eagle, appropriately named "Dillon", and it is the only zoo with black kites in its collection—six of whom swoop and dive to snatch chick feet out of the air with their talons.


Cathy Schlott, Manager of Animal Training, says to witness the birds flying free, exhibiting their wild behavior, gives people a breathtaking, awe-inspiring experience. Lanner falcons are being trained to pursue lures, but they won’t be ready this weekend because rain has delayed their progress. Schlott says the trainers wouldn't mind working in the rain, but birds will just sit in the trees if it's raining.

Aviary Shows Off New Exhibits, Attractions

The National Aviary in Pittsburgh today unveiled its $18.5 million expansion that took 3 years to complete. Aviary Executive Director Patrick Mangus says they renovated 35,000 square feet of space, added 10,000 square feet, built 2 major new exhibits: "Penguin Point" and "The Grasslands," added a state of the art classroom, and a new grand entrance and lobby space. Mangus says they also built the world's first indoor FliteZone Theater to present free-flight bird shows...
"In 25 minutes, we take our visitors to South America where they experience macaws and parrots, to Africa with hooded vultures, to Europe with Eurasian eagle owls. Here in the U.S., we're looking at Harris hawks that reside in the southwest and gulls from the Gulf Coast and probably everybody's favorite...the bald eagle."
Mangus says what visitors see are not tricks..."These birds are actually exhibiting natural behaviors in an indoor environment. It's something unique. It really showcases the exciting behaviors of birds but also showcases how we are impacting their habitat and threatening their way of life. There's a strong environmental message but it's also exciting and entertaining."

The first show at the FliteZone, "Wings," opens October 9th.
Mangus says another highlight of the expansion is the construction of a rooftop sky deck for raptor shows where birds of prey fly through the park and act on their trainers' instructions. That will open Memorial Day and will only be presented during warm weather months.

The expansion was funded through philanthropies, foundations, state grants and individuals

Bird Babies Born at National Aviary

Lots of babies have been born at the National Aviary this summer. Baby birds that is.

Ten species have produced chicks including the cape thicknee, the golden-breasted starling, white crested laughing thrush, blue-bellied roller, crested wood partridge, shaft-tail finch, scarlet -headed blackbird, crested oropendula, boat-billed heron and fire-tufted barbet.

Other birds are nesting. The aviary credits the baby boom to specialized diets and habitats and exhibit conditions.

Steve Sarro, Director of Animal Programs, says not all of the birds will stay at the Aviary. They have a partenership with other zoos and will send birds to those establishments.

The National Aviary has more than 600 birds representing nearly 200 species.

Aviary Tops Off

The National Aviary in Pittsburgh put the last beam in place on its $18.5 million dollar expansion. Aviary Executive Director Patrick Mangus says its is actually the third phase of the project that also included the new penguin exhibit and the new grasslands exhibit. The highlight of the final phase is a 125-seat free flight multi-media theater and a 50-seat rooftop outdoor theater. The outdoor theater will feature shows using raptors chasing after lures. The 10,000 square foot addition also includes a permanent classroom, a new entrance and a new café. Mangus says the plan is to have everything open by Labor Day. He says the project is fully funded at this point.

As the aviary grows its footprint it will also expand the number of birds on display. Mangus says the aviary currently has about 600 birds and he has plans to add 50-75 more. The new entrance area will be built using something called fritted glass. The panes are covered with a small dot pattern that allows light to pass through while at the same time appearing opaque enough that birds will not mistake it for a flight path. The goal is to show how a building can have light filled spaces without endangering wild birds.