All photos courtesy the National Aviary.

Every winter weekend should involve mingling with exotic parrots, right?

This Friday, parrot and pirate fans alike can set sail on the high seasminus the motion sickness and high price tagwithout ever leaving land.The 21+ set is invited to explore the North Side bird loversdestination duringan after-hours avian adventure dubbed the High Seas Escape.

Start planning your vibrantly hued parrot costume or rowdy pirate duds now, and get ready to shake your tail feather on the dance floor.

Attendees will enjoy exclusive access to the Aviarys Tropical Forest, Grasslands, Wetlands and Penguin Point exhibits, and will see Buccaneer Bird Shows andFliteZone theater presentations.

The nights MVPs will be the exotic parrots, including the Hyacinth Macaw, Yellow-naped Amazon and Military Macaw. Attendees can even watch talented parrots paint.

Get up close and personal with a diverse population of bird species as you feed nectar to colorful lorikeets, assemble fruit skewers for our hungry feathered friends, and admire the remarkable Malayan Flying Foxes.

Have your very own caricature created by artist Tami Haslett, get inked with a bird-themed temporary tattoo, and watch dazzling fencing demonstrations led by the Corsair Fencing Club.

Bird watchers can also hit the dance floor with DJ Scottro, embark on treasure hunts through the tropical exhibits, and snap selfies with Jack Sparrow from Lifes A Beach entertainment.

While roaming the grounds, party-goers will also encounterpopular birds such as flamingos, herons, African Penguins, and Rhinoceros Hornbills.

Caribbean cocktails and gourmet grub will be for sale for in the Atrias galley.

All proceeds from the event will support the National Aviarys education, avian medicine and conservation programs.

Lookingfor more events?Check outour11Pittsburgh events not to miss inFebruary,Top 10 family events in Pittsburgh this Februaryand our17cant-miss Pittsburgh concerts in 2017feature stories.

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Escape to the high seas at the National Aviary - NEXTpittsburgh