National Aviary
Encyclopedia
The National Aviary, located in Pittsburgh
, Pennsylvania
, is America's only independent indoor nonprofit aviary
. It is also America's largest aviary, and the only accorded honorary "National" status by the United States Congress
.
's Northside, within Allegheny Commons West Park
in the Allegheny Center
neighborhood.
The National Aviary is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. It is closed on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, and Christmas, and closes early, at 3 p.m., on New Year's Eve. Although some of the birds must be fed in private, almost all feedings (both vegetarian and carnivorous) are scheduled to be viewable by visitors. Since 1999, annual attendance has consistently topped 100,000.
The National Aviary has daily interactive experiences for visitors. Some of these include Penguin Point, a new exhibit featuring 11 African Penguin
s and unique underwater viewing; Penguin Connection, a private encounter with an African Penguin (for an additional fee); Little Peepers, a program for preschoolers; and the bird-feeding adventure Lories & Friends. These programs are joined by various trainer talks, bird presentations, feedings, and encounters that help to create an immersive experience for visitors.
In the fall of 2010, the National Aviary completed an $18.5 million expansion and renovation project that included the opening of a new café, classrooms, and the Helen M. Schmidt FliteZone Theater. The theater is currently home to "Wings!," and indoor-avian adventure featuring flighted birds and special effects. The Helen M. Schmidt Theater is the first indoor theater in the nation built specifically for bird shows.
in the wild. It has one of the most diverse collections in North America (exceeding, for example, the esteemed National Zoo in Washington, D.C. and the Niagara Falls Aviary).
As a result, the aviary has many species that are rarely found in other zoos or aviaries, for example, Bare-necked Fruitcrow
s, Paradise Tanager
s, Green-backed Trogon
, Scarlet-headed Blackbird
, Blue-crowned Laughingthrush
, Blue-winged Mountain Tanager, Pompadour Cotinga
, Blue-necked Tanager
, and Lesser Green Broadbill
.
Among the most popular residents are Benito the Hyacinth Macaw
and his roommate, Killer the Green-winged Macaw. Both are trained, and perform at occasional educational exhibitions. The aviary has also had success in breeding; its Spectacled Owl
s 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 in captivity including the Bali Mynah (nearly extinct in the wild), the Micronesian Kingfisher
, and the African Penguin
.
, built by the city in 1952. Pittsburgh's dwindling urban tax base forced the city to cease funding the institution in 1991.
In 1991, neighborhood leaders founded Save the Aviary, Inc. and began an intense public campaign to raise money and develop a plan to privatize the Aviary. Jill Sims, an active volunteer at the Aviary, became the first chairperson of the organization. Mark P. Masterson, a Northside community leader, developed a business plan and secured funding from the Buhl Foundation to produce a capital improvement plan and recruited additional board members. Save the Aviary, Inc. took over the facility and began operations soon after the board of directors hired Dayton Baker as executive director.
In 1993, by declaration of the U.S. 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 Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
granted the first $500,000 toward a $22.5 million project that would include a new education center and expanded exhibits, which was slated for opening in 2008. In October 2008, the Aviary announced a $23 million renovation and expansion of exhibition space, the vast majority of which would be paid for by private foundations.
In early 2007, Dayton Baker announced his intention to step down once a replacement executive director was found. Linda Dickerson was named the new director and took over the facility in April 2007.
On January 22, 2009, in a letter to the board of directors, Dickerson announced her intention to resign from the National Aviary. Patrick Mangus, the National Aviary's former COO, took over as executive director in January 2009.
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Pittsburgh is the second-largest city in the US Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the county seat of Allegheny County. Regionally, it anchors the largest urban area of Appalachia and the Ohio River Valley, and nationally, it is the 22nd-largest urban area in the United States...
, Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
, is America's only independent indoor nonprofit aviary
Aviary
An aviary is a large enclosure for confining birds. Unlike cages, aviaries allow birds a larger living space where they can fly; hence, aviaries are also sometimes known as flight cages...
. It is also America's largest aviary, and the only accorded honorary "National" status by the United States Congress
United States Congress
The United States Congress is the bicameral legislature of the federal government of the United States, consisting of the Senate and the House of Representatives. The Congress meets in the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C....
.
Location and features
The National Aviary is located at 700 Arch Street on PittsburghPittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Pittsburgh is the second-largest city in the US Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the county seat of Allegheny County. Regionally, it anchors the largest urban area of Appalachia and the Ohio River Valley, and nationally, it is the 22nd-largest urban area in the United States...
's Northside, within Allegheny Commons West Park
West Park, Pittsburgh
Allegheny Commons is a municipal park located in Pittsburgh's North Side. The park surrounds the neighborhood of Allegheny Center. Dating to 1867, it is the oldest park in the city of Pittsburgh.Note, however, that it did not become part of Pittsburgh until the annexation of Allegheny,...
in the Allegheny Center
Allegheny Center (Pittsburgh)
Allegheny Center is a neighborhood on Pittsburgh's North Side. Its zip code is 15212, and it has representation on Pittsburgh City Council by both council members for District 6 and District 1 .-History:...
neighborhood.
The National Aviary is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. It is closed on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, and Christmas, and closes early, at 3 p.m., on New Year's Eve. Although some of the birds must be fed in private, almost all feedings (both vegetarian and carnivorous) are scheduled to be viewable by visitors. Since 1999, annual attendance has consistently topped 100,000.
The National Aviary has daily interactive experiences for visitors. Some of these include Penguin Point, a new exhibit featuring 11 African Penguin
African Penguin
The African Penguin , also known as the Black-footed Penguin is a species of penguin, confined to southern African waters. It is known as Brilpikkewyn in Afrikaans, Inguza or Unombombiya in Xhosa, Manchot Du Cap in French and Pingüino Del Cabo in Spanish...
s and unique underwater viewing; Penguin Connection, a private encounter with an African Penguin (for an additional fee); Little Peepers, a program for preschoolers; and the bird-feeding adventure Lories & Friends. These programs are joined by various trainer talks, bird presentations, feedings, and encounters that help to create an immersive experience for visitors.
In the fall of 2010, the National Aviary completed an $18.5 million expansion and renovation project that included the opening of a new café, classrooms, and the Helen M. Schmidt FliteZone Theater. The theater is currently home to "Wings!," and indoor-avian adventure featuring flighted birds and special effects. The Helen M. Schmidt Theater is the first indoor theater in the nation built specifically for bird shows.
Birds
The aviary is home to more than 600 birds of more than 200 species, many of which are threatened or endangeredEndangered species
An endangered species is a population of organisms which is at risk of becoming extinct because it is either few in numbers, or threatened by changing environmental or predation parameters...
in the wild. It has one of the most diverse collections in North America (exceeding, for example, the esteemed National Zoo in Washington, D.C. and the Niagara Falls Aviary).
As a result, the aviary has many species that are rarely found in other zoos or aviaries, for example, Bare-necked Fruitcrow
Bare-necked Fruitcrow
The Bare-necked Fruitcrow is a species of bird in the Cotingidae family. It is the only member of the genus Gymnoderus. It is found in the Amazon Rainforest, especially near rivers. It is relatively common, but generally rarer and more local north of the Amazon River...
s, Paradise Tanager
Paradise Tanager
The Paradise Tanager, Tangara chilensis, is a brilliantly multicolored, medium-sized songbird whose length varies between 13.5 and 15 cm. It has a light green head, sky blue underparts and black upper body plumage. Depending on subspecies, the rump is yellow and red or all red...
s, Green-backed Trogon
Green-backed Trogon
The Green-backed Trogon , also known as the Amazonian White-tailed Trogon, is a near passerine bird in the trogon family. It is found in tropical humid forests in South America, where its range includes the Amazon, the Guiana Shield, Trinidad, and the Atlantic Forest in eastern Brazil. It formerly...
, Scarlet-headed Blackbird
Scarlet-headed Blackbird
The Scarlet-headed Blackbird is an icterid bird of southern South American wetlands.This species is about 24 cm long. The bill is oddly shaped: long, slender, and very sharp, looking almost upturned. Adults of both sexes are described by their name...
, Blue-crowned Laughingthrush
Blue-crowned Laughingthrush
The Blue-crowned Laughingthrush or Courtois's Laughingbird is a Chinese species of bird in the Timaliidae family...
, Blue-winged Mountain Tanager, Pompadour Cotinga
Pompadour Cotinga
The Pompadour Cotinga is a species of bird in the Cotingidae family, the cotingas. It is found in Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Peru, Suriname, and Venezuela....
, Blue-necked Tanager
Blue-necked Tanager
The Blue-necked Tanager is a species of bird in the Thraupidae family.It is found in Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Venezuela....
, and Lesser Green Broadbill
Green Broadbill
The Green Broadbill, Calyptomena viridis, is a small, approximately 17 cm long, brilliant green-plumaged bird with a black ear patch, wide gape bill, rounded head, short tail and three black bars on wings. The beak itself is very weak and almost hidden by the crest above it. Both sexes are...
.
Among the most popular residents are Benito the Hyacinth Macaw
Hyacinth Macaw
The Hyacinth Macaw , or Hyacinthine Macaw, is a parrot native to central and eastern South America. With a length of about 100 cm it is longer than any other species of parrot...
and his roommate, Killer the Green-winged Macaw. Both are trained, and perform at occasional educational exhibitions. The aviary has also had success in breeding; its Spectacled Owl
Spectacled Owl
The Spectacled Owl, Pulsatrix perspicillata, is a large tropical owl. It is a resident breeder from southern Mexico and Trinidad, through Central America, south to southern Brazil, Paraguay and northwestern Argentina...
s had their first chick, named Franklin (after Benjamin Franklin
Benjamin Franklin
Dr. Benjamin Franklin was one of the Founding Fathers of the United States. A noted polymath, Franklin was a leading author, printer, political theorist, politician, postmaster, scientist, musician, inventor, satirist, civic activist, statesman, and diplomat...
), 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 in captivity including the Bali Mynah (nearly extinct in the wild), the Micronesian Kingfisher
Micronesian Kingfisher
The Micronesian Kingfisher, Todiramphus cinnamominus, is a species of kingfisher from the Pacific Islands of Guam, Pohnpei and Palau...
, and the African Penguin
African Penguin
The African Penguin , also known as the Black-footed Penguin is a species of penguin, confined to southern African waters. It is known as Brilpikkewyn in Afrikaans, Inguza or Unombombiya in Xhosa, Manchot Du Cap in French and Pingüino Del Cabo in Spanish...
.
History and funding
The National Aviary began as part of the Pittsburgh Aviary-ConservatoryConservatory (greenhouse)
A conservatory is a room having glass roof and walls, typically attached to a house on only one side, used as a greenhouse or a sunroom...
, built by the city in 1952. Pittsburgh's dwindling urban tax base forced the city to cease funding the institution in 1991.
In 1991, neighborhood leaders founded Save the Aviary, Inc. and began an intense public campaign to raise money and develop a plan to privatize the Aviary. Jill Sims, an active volunteer at the Aviary, became the first chairperson of the organization. Mark P. Masterson, a Northside community leader, developed a business plan and secured funding from the Buhl Foundation to produce a capital improvement plan and recruited additional board members. Save the Aviary, Inc. took over the facility and began operations soon after the board of directors hired Dayton Baker as executive director.
In 1993, by declaration of the U.S. 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 Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
granted the first $500,000 toward a $22.5 million project that would include a new education center and expanded exhibits, which was slated for opening in 2008. In October 2008, the Aviary announced a $23 million renovation and expansion of exhibition space, the vast majority of which would be paid for by private foundations.
In early 2007, Dayton Baker announced his intention to step down once a replacement executive director was found. Linda Dickerson was named the new director and took over the facility in April 2007.
On January 22, 2009, in a letter to the board of directors, Dickerson announced her intention to resign from the National Aviary. Patrick Mangus, the National Aviary's former COO, took over as executive director in January 2009.
External links
- http://www.aviary.org