A Eurasian Eagle-Owl Parliament
Meet Our Growing Eurasian Eagle-Owl Family
Guests who attend a National Aviary immersive show, educational program, or who stroll through The Charity Randall Foundation Eagle Hall during our winter/spring season, may see the iconic, bright orange eyes of Eurasian Eagle-Owls staring out at them.
Over the last two decades, and as part of an Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) Species Survival Plan® (SSP®), we have made considerable contributions to this bird of prey’s conservation efforts, thanks to two very special owls: X and Dumbledore. X is a female raptor whose moniker comes from beloved Pittsburgh icon X the Owl on Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood. She has called the Aviary home since 2002 – making her one of the longest-tenured birds in our flock. Her mate, a male affectionately dubbed Dumbledore (after the Harry Potter franchise and its “owl”-filiations), arrived at the Aviary in 2008.
Together, and with the support of a caring Aviary staff, X and Dumbledore have had 12 chicks hatch and thrive.
“Each hatching is unique, and every chick has its own needs, especially during chick hood, which can be a very delicate time. Our goal is always to provide the optimal conditions for every bird to thrive at the National Aviary” says Cathy Schlott, Director of Animal Programs and Experiences.
“Owl” About Their Family Tree
Many of these raptor chicks grew, fledged, and now serve as Animal Ambassadors at other AZA-accredited facilities, however, a few still call the National Aviary home. Learn about their ever-growing parliament (a term for a group of owls) below.
The First
It all started with Pumpkin, who holds a significant place in our history. Pumpkin was the first-ever Eurasian Eagle-Owl to hatch at the Aviary in March 2013, and the first owlet for X and Dumbledore. For this exciting occasion, a generous friend of the Aviary selected two names, “Pumpkin” or “Tootsie,” from which our community could choose to name her that fall. Visitors chose “Pumpkin” through an onsite naming competition.
Another Aviary Icon
Pumpkin’s younger sibling, the next one to call the Aviary home, hatched in February 2016. The opportunity to name this male owlet was given to the family of longtime Aviary friend and supporter, Michael Mascaro. He and his family ultimately chose the full name of “Mike the Owl!” We are grateful for Michael’s continued support of Mike the Owl and the Aviary.
The Newest
In March 2024, the National Aviary welcomed X and Dumbledore’s 11th and 12th chicks, a male and a female. These adorable owlets’ growth patterns and milestones were shared weekly on our social media channels. The male owlet now resides at the AZA-accredited Lehigh Valley Zoo, serving as an Ambassador for his species The second owlet, a female, now officially calls the Aviary her home! She has been given a very special name…
Meet Vera!
This lovely lady was named through our Name-A-Bird program by Aviary friends, the Fonner family, in honor of their late grandmother who was an avid bird and nature lover. Vera’s name is significant to the family as, “Many of our fondest memories growing up were sitting with her on her covered porch watching the wildlife in her garden.”
Symbolically Adopt Vera!
All symbolic adoptions of Vera come with an official certificate, adoption letter, high-resolution photo, and a personalized fact sheet. But wait, there’s more! As a bonus, we are excited to share that Vera adopters will receive not just one, but TWO exclusive videos of her – one showing her as a chick and another surprise video!
Don’t miss out on this unique chance to support Vera and bring a piece of her story into your life. Adopt Vera today and be a part of her journey as an Animal Ambassador while supporting the National Aviary’s important conservation work!
Symbolically Adopt VeraThe Importance of Raptor Conservation
Eurasian Eagle-Owls faced considerable decline in Europe in the 1900s, going extinct in select areas and facing population reductions elsewhere. Although the International Union of Conserving Nature (IUCN) lists Eurasian Eagle-Owls as Least Concern, this species – and many bird species – continues to face human-caused challenges. Birds of prey, including owls, face many obstacles leading to population declines, such as pesticides, territory road traffic, and electrical and barbed wire collisions.
Understanding the behaviors of different bird species, like how they mate, supports the Aviary’s continued efforts to save birds and protect their habitats. Working proactively to maintain genetically diverse populations at risk for decline, like the Eurasian Eagle-Owl, is essential for their future survival. Such planning removes the pressure of a ticking clock winding down on a healthy population by making significant contributions to species preservation before they are at risk of becoming Endangered.
The valuable knowledge we have gained through the pairing of X and Dumbledore, their offspring and hopeful descendants, can all be utilized to benefit other owl species, creating a ripple effect that enhances ongoing efforts to safeguard raptors.
Help care for this family, and the other birds in the National Aviary’s flock with a gift today.
Give TodayX, Dumbledore, Pumpkin, Mike the Owl, and Vera continue to serve as incredibly important Ambassadors for their species. Guests can see them up close during various National Aviary educational programming.
We’re very excited to see what the future holds for X, Dumbledore, and their lineage, and hope you are, too!
