National Aviary to open ‘Living Dinosaurs’ exhibit

Paul Guggenheimer
Friday, May 24, 2019 3:22 p.m. | Friday, May 24, 2019 3:22 p.m.

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A Golden eagle looks around during a media availability at the National Aviary on the North Side on Jan. 10, 2019.

Courtesy of National Aviary

A Pterosaur is in the atrium at the National Aviary on Pittsburgh’s North Side which is part of the newest exhibit, "Living Dinosaurs."

A new National Aviary exhibit will allow visitors to fly like a pterosaur, part of a wide array of interactive learning opportunities. The “Living Dinosaurs” exhibit, opening Saturday, is putting an emphasis on experiencing birds as living descendants of dinosaurs and highlighting the traits birds and dinosaurs share.

Guests with a 50-inch or greater “wingspan” can fly like a pterosaur through Jurassic times on “Birdly,” the National Aviary’s full body, flight simulator which uses virtual reality, wind speed, audio headsets, flappable wings, and full body, responsive mechanical systems to give participants the feel of flying. The National Aviarty is one of only three places in the country where this Jurassic Flight experience is available.

In addition, visitors can see real dinosaur fossils, experience the textures of touchable replicas, and get close to dinosaur skeletons and models.

Hands-on learning activities also include interactive question boards, magnifying stations and a dinosaur fossil puzzle.

The “Living Dinosaurs” exhibit runs from May 25 to September 29 at the National Aviary.