Plans for expansion take flight

Visitors saw an African trumpeter hornbill catch grapes tossed in the air.
PITTSBURGH (AP) -- The National Aviary wants to feather its nest with $20 million to $30 million so it can nearly double its size.
Plans for the country's only nationally designated bird house include a 250-seat indoor "immersion theater" -- in which birds will fly among the audience -- more exhibits and an IMAX-style movie screen.
"You will be able to watch nature in all its glory," said Dayton Baker, the aviary's executive director.
A flock of local politicians attended the June 4 announcement and heralded the aviary as a successful example of a public-private partnership.
Almost closed
During the city's financial difficulties in the early 1990s, Pittsburgh planned to close the facility, which it had owned since it opened in 1952. Instead, the aviary was privatized.
Since going private in 1992, attendance has doubled to more than 110,000 visitors annually, services have quadrupled and its operating budget has increased fivefold to about $2 million.
With the expansion, scheduled to begin next year and be completed in 2007, attendance is expected to double, Baker said.
"We have shown what we can do as a public-private partnership," said Allegheny County Executive Dan Onorato, who was a city councilman when plans to close the aviary were first discussed and who worked to save the aviary.
"This is truly a regional asset ... and now with the national designation is becoming a national asset," he said.
"The National Aviary's expansion will raise the amenity's existing profile, creating a world-renowned center for education and conservation and making it one of our region's premiere tourist attractions," Onorato said.
Pittsburgh City Councilman Dan Frankel said the expansion will help attract more tourists to the region.
Demonstrations
Guests also attended a show featuring birds from around the world. The African trumpeter hornbill caught grapes that were tossed into the air as it demonstrated how it captures insects for food. The South American black-legged Seriama used its beak to pick up and smack down a plastic lizard to demonstrate what it does with real lizards.
Baker said the "national" designation confuses some people, who assume that its fully funded by the federal government. It receives funding from a mix of grants, taxes, admissions, membership dues and private funds. Congress bestowed the honorary designation in 1993.
The aviary is home to more than 600 birds representing more than 200 species. About one-quarter are threatened or endangered, Baker said.
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