Bring the whole flock to the Academy for a fun-filled day of activities, outdoor family bird walks, museum scavenger hunts and a fantastic film by world-renowned Black birder, Rodney Stotts, detailing his story of empowerment through nature.

Activities are free with museum admission.

Family Crafts and Activities 10 a.m.–3 p.m.

Join Academy educators for hands-on, bird-related crafts and games. Explore bird specimens up close, learn all about what makes a feather waterproof, see how your wingspan compares to those of birds both living and prehistoric and decorate your own binoculars to take home.

Neighborhood Birding with Women In Natural Sciences (WINS) 

Meet the incredible participants of the Academy’s Women In Natural Sciences (WINS) program. Learn about their experiences birding in their neighborhoods and see how they use apps like iNaturalist, Merlin and Audobon to help them identify birds and their calls, and to gather data about the birds of Philadelphia.  

Family Bird Walks on the Parkway
11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.

Sign up to go on a family-friendly nature walk to explore and find some feathered neighbors right outside our front door. Birding backpacks from the Free Library of Philadelphia will be available to borrow. Sign up at the registration table onsite; registration is limited to 20 people per excursion.

Film: The Falconer
3 p.m.

“The Falconer” is a documentary feature that captures beauty and hope. This is a story of second chances: for injured birds of prey, for an abandoned plot of land, for a group of teenagers who have dropped out of high school and for Rodney Stotts himself. This intimate portrait film follows master falconer Rodney Stotts on his mission to build a bird sanctuary and provide access to nature for his stressed community.

Avian Adaptations: Wing and Egg Demonstrations
All-day

There are 10,000 species of birds, and each one has adapted to its environment to ensure its survival. Swoop by to learn how birds' wings enable them to soar, hunt, escape and dive by crafting wing models and testing different designs. Get cozy as you examine replica nests and puzzle through your own experimental egg shape to see if you can crack the code to keep it safe. Learn about the birds that call Philadelphia home and how we can help protect them while you explore specimens from our collection.

Museum Bird Scavenger Hunts
All-day

Calling all nature detectives! Pick up a copy of a bird scavenger hunt at either of the entrances at the Academy and see if you can find all the birds in the museum’s dioramas!