More than 500 colorful and exotic birds representing more than 200 different species await your visit to the National Aviary. Residents include a bald eagle, a red-tailed hawk and a Great Horned Owl. Enter their world as you observe each bird in it's natural environment, from the Rainforest Edge in Costa Rica to the Amazon Basin in Brazil.

The aviary originally began as a plant conservatory in the late eighteenth century, but was destroyed by a natural gas explosion in the 1920s. The City of Pittsburgh rebuilt the conservatory in 1952 and added birds to the gardens.

After adding new exhibits in 1968, the Aviary-Conservatory doubled in size and was one of the first zoos to present its collection in free-flight rooms and natural exhibits with more than 25,000 square feet of space.

In the 1980's, the Aviary began to evolve its focus toward wildlife conservation by beginning the captive breeding of rare and endangered birds; however, because of municipal budgetary cuts, the city considered closing the institution in 1991. A group of citizens formed Save the Aviary, Inc., a private nonprofit corporation, privatized the Aviary in 1992.

Hours:Monday-Sunday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Admission:Adults $5; Senior Citizens $4; Children ages 2 to 12 $3.50; Children under 2 and members Free.

Tours:Self-guided tours.

Special Information:For information regarding membership or bird sponsorship, call 412-323-7235 extension 213.

Parking:Parking at the aviary is free.

Other North Side attractions:Carnegie Science Center,PNC Park,Allegheny Observatory,Penn Brewery

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Location: North

Address:
Allegheny Commons West
Pittsburgh , Pa 15212
Phone: 412-323-7235