Flourishing Among the Feathers

When you think of "tweets" these days, you may think of 140 characters or less. Not Austin Williams-Ayers. He thinks 150 species and more...

Sophomore Austin Williams-Ayers spent his past two summers working a part-time job at the National Aviary through the National Aviary Teen Volunteer program. The National Aviary, located on Pittsburgh's North Side, is America’s only independent indoor nonprofit zoo dedicated exclusively to birds. The National Aviary’s diverse collection comprises more than 500 birds representing more than 150 species from around the world – many of them threatened or endangered in the wild.

Austin has had numerous job responsibilities from guiding visitors through the facility to cleaning feeding dishes.

"I have assisted with the interactive shows and feedings, but my primary experience was assisting with the National Aviary Summer Camps," Austin said. 

Throughout the week-long summer camps, Austin assisted the camp director with the Aviary education and conservation programs. Monitoring campers' encounters with birds such as penguins, flamingos, raptors and toucans, Austin showed and explained what is required of those who wish to be a falconer or veterinarian.

"I learned a lot about the care and conservation of the birds and their habitat," he said. "I have also learned to have a lot of patience with young kids at camp.”

Austin’s best memories of his time at the Aviary include working behind the scenes and learning what it takes to care for the birds. Another highlight for him was painting with the penguins.

"This is a great opportunity to get work experience in a non-traditional environment – meaning not having to sit at a desk all day,” he explained. “I would recommend it to anyone who is interested in birds or wants to do something different during the summer."