May 16, 2008 6:53 pm US/Eastern
Larry On The Job: Bird Trainer At The Aviary
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) ―
The saying goes, "Birds of a feather flock together."
Now, KDKA Radio's Larry Richert is joining the flock at The National Aviary on the North Side. This week, he's trying his hand at being a bird trainer.
"Basically, we're going to have you do the job of a bird trainer," Erin Estelle, the manager of animal programs, told Larry. "So what our trainers do is when they come in the morning they prepare some of the diets for the birds."
That's how Larry got his day started preparing cuisine for the birds. He helped to cut up a mouse for the hooded vulture and ventured to the bug room for some other tasty morsels.
Then, Larry said the did some cleaning and helped to feed the birds in the free flight area called the 'Tropical Rainforest.'
But there was also some dirty work. The bird experts say they do regular fecal checks on the birds to make sure that they're healthy.
In the end, Larry said he feels better with birds that can't fly.
As in, "Let's go Pens!" said Larry.
More: 
KDKA.com/LarryOnTheJob
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