'The Bird House' exhibit opens at Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum

The Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum is soaring into the new year with several bird-related exhibits and events on the way. A new exhibit, "The Bird House," opens on Tuesday, Jan. 2, and aims to bring the outdoors indoors for families in the Chicago area.

Learn about the features of birds from both around the world and in your own backyard by interacting with them face to face and speaking directly with experts at the Museum.

Live Bird Showcase

Every day at 11:30am (starting January 2)

Live bird showcase! Meet one of our very special guests in The Bird House and speak with our biologists about the amazing adaptations of birds all over the world - including local species you can see right here in Chicago.

Opening the Vault

Thursday, January 18, 11AM to 3PM

Join us in celebration of our Founders' Day and learn how bird specimens from our ornithology collection inform scientific research and our knowledge of nature.

Member Exclusive: Birds of Paradise Celebration

Friday, January 19, 5:30 to 7:30pm

Bring the whole family and enjoy a night of exhibit exploration, kid-friendly activities, museum-wide access, and complimentary refreshments.

Exclusively for Nature Museum members. RSVP at https://protect-us.mimecast.com/s/eYK0CwpgN8U0RDmi9Fpex?domain=naturemuseum.org

Birding without Borders

Wednesday, January 24

6:00pm: Private access to explore Birds of Paradise

6:30pm: Noah Strycker presentation, with book signing to follow

The Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum and the Chicago Ornithological Society are thrilled to co-host Noah Strycker, the first human to see more than half of the planet's bird species in a single, year-long, round-the-world birding trip. He was scourged by blood-sucking leeches, suffered fevers and sleep deprivation, survived airline snafus, car breakdowns, mudslides and torrential floods, skirted war zones, and had the time of his life. This humorous and inspiring presentation about Strycker's epic journey will leave you with a new appreciation for the birds and birders of the world.

RSVP at https://protect-us.mimecast.com/s/wMdeCxkj0NUmQ2VCwpiS1?domain=naturemuseum.org

WINTERFEST WEEKEND

January 20, 21

We love winter at the Nature Museum! Come inside and learn all about how our favorite animal friends survive the cold!

Wild Winter Animal Showcase

Saturday, January 20, 11:30am to 12:30pm

What do animals do in the winter? Join us for a Nature Museum original animal program and learn how local critters survive Chicago's long winters. Practice your hibernation skills at activity stations and get a chance to meet some of our featured creatures up close. Warm winter fun for the whole family!

I Spy Animals in the Winter

Sunday, January 21, 11:30am to 12:30pm

Stay warm and dry inside the Museum while you peer outside at North Pond through binoculars. See how many different animals you can observe, and find out what they're up to out there in the cold.

BIRDFEST WEEKEND

February 9, 10, 11

Join us in February as we dedicate a whole weekend to our favorite feathered friends!

I Heart Birds

Friday, February 9, 5:30 to 7:30pm

Put on your fancy clothes and your dancing shoes, and join us at our very own Valentine's dance-for the birds! Kids and families are invited to come party with us as we celebrate our favorite feathered valentines. Meet live birds, learn all about their lives and habits, make a birdy valentine, and then come bust a move on our dance floor! Dinner is included in the ticket price.

Adults: $20 for members; $25 for non-members, Children: $10 for ages 2-18, Additional $5 per ticket purchased at the door, Children under 2 are free but must register.

Sponsored by the British International School of Chicago, Lincoln Park

Illinois Raptors

Saturday, February 10, 11:30am to 12:30pm

Do you know about the birds of prey that live in our area? Learn about hawks, owls, falcons, and vultures that are indigenous to Illinois. Get an up-close look at live birds of prey. Presented in partnership with Flint Creek Wildlife Rehabilitation.

Scavenger Hunt Sunday

Sunday, February 11, all day

Roam the Museum in search of rare specimens, live birds, and little-known facts about our feathered friends. Drop off your completed scavenger hunt for a chance to win an awesome prize package including behind-the-scenes tours.

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BONUS! Experience our pop-up soup and grilled cheese stand from our friends at Gayle's Best-Ever Grilled Cheese, happening January 21 and February 10 and 11, 11AM to 2PM!

EXCLUSIVELY FOR TOTS

Nature Nuts:

Fur, Feathers, and Scales (Ages 2-3)

Session 1: January 30-April 24, every other Tuesday, 10 to 11AM

Session 2: February 6-May 1, every other Tuesday, 10 to 11AM

Bring your toddler to explore nature with Nature Nuts! In this spring session, we'll discover similarities and differences between types of animals with fun hands-on activities including stories, crafts, and live animal interactions.

Cost: 7-week sessions: $100/member caregiver and child, $140/non-member caregiver and child*

Spanish Through Nature:

Parents and Tots (Ages 1-4)

7-WEEK SERIES

Every Friday from February 16-March 30, 9:30 to 10:30AM

Children ages 1-4 will learn Spanish vocabulary during an experiential and interactive class. Read books, sing songs, and meet a different live animal each week. Presented in partnership with Instituto Cervantes.

Cost: 7-week sessions: $100/member caregiver and child, $140/non-member caregiver and child*

*Caregivers must remain with the child attending the class. You are welcome to bring children under 12 months to an older sibling's class at no additional fee. Attending siblings 12 months or older should be registered for the class.

SPECIAL PARTNER EVENTS

Green City Market

Saturdays, 8am to 1pm:

January 6, 13 • February 3, 17 • March 3, 17, 31 • April 7, 21, 28

Calling all market shoppers, locavores, friends of farmers, and lovers of fine food! Green City Market returns for the winter season to the Nature Museum. Enjoy seasonal produce, meats, poultry, cheeses, baked goods, and more.

Cold Blooded Weekends with the Chicago Herpetological Society

First Sat & Sun of every month, 10AM to 3PM

Get to know a menagerie of reptiles and amphibians during this hands-on experience provided by the Chicago Herpetological Society.

Chicago Junior Herp Society

First Sunday of every month, Noon to 1:30PM

The CJHS is about sharing the love of "herps" (amphibians and reptiles) with children of all ages, and fostering an appreciation of wildlife and nature through educational speakers and hands-on interactions.

DAILY ACTIVITIES

Story Time

Every Day at 11am

Listen to a hand-picked story and then keep the fun going with games and activities!

Critter Connection

Every day at 12pm

Get up close with one of our critters and learn about our animal friends that live at the Nature Museum.

Animal Feeding

Every day at 1pm

Learn about one of our animals as they munch a lunchtime snack!

First Flight Butterfly Release

Every day at 2pm

Watch in wonder as brand-new butterflies spread their wings and take flight for the very first time!