Archives: Bird Species

Roseate Spoonbill

Roseate Spoonbills are distinctive birds with pink plumage with a uniquely shaped bill that gives them their name. Their long, flat bill is rounded at the end like a spoon,…

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Hadada Ibis

The shimmery feathers of the Hadada Ibis isn’t the only attention-grabbing feature of this bird: its loud call can be heard echoing through the Wetlands! Hadada Ibises are found in…

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The Black-faced Ibis is found throughout open fields and meadows in southern South America. Black-faced Ibises are sociable birds, often nesting in colonies of up to 50 pairs, and sometimes…

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Made internationally famous as the result of the animated character, Zazu, in Disney’s The Lion King, the Red-billed Hornbill is a bird of open savannas and woodlands, and dry thorn-scrub…

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Snowy Egrets are strikingly beautiful birds, with pure white plumage and graceful and elaborate courtship displays. The feathers of the Snowy Egret were highly sought after for fashion, primarily for…

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Java Pond_Heron in Wetlands at the National Aviary

The Javan Pond-Heron is a wading bird found in Southeast Asia. Described as “stout,” this heron is sometimes mistaken for an egret with similar plumage. It inhabits swamps, marshes, and…

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A smaller egret, the Eastern Cattle Egret is named for its habit of stalking insects and other small prey disturbed by herds of cattle moving through and grazing in grassland…

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A Boat-billed Heron perched on a branch

Boat-billed Herons have shorter legs and squatter bodies than most herons, but their distinguishing feature is their very large and broad bill and huge, dark eyes. The eyes are an…

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A Harris's Hawk perched on a branch

Harris’s Hawks are a deep chestnut brown with yellow markings that make them stand out. They are a very social species, and have been observed raising young and hunting—an unusual…

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The Black Kite is a medium-sized, primarily brown raptor. Kites are characterized by their long wings and tails, buoyant and acrobatic flight, and ability to catch food in mid-air. Black…

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An Augur Buzzard standing on leaves

Augur Buzzards are one of the most numerous types of hawks in Africa. In the Americas, the term “buzzard” generally refers to vultures, but in the Old World, the word’s…

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Silver Gull standing on a rock

The Silver Gull is the most common gull found in Australia. It is most common in coastal areas but can be found throughout the continent. They use a variety of…

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In The News

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FalconCam on top of Pitt’s Cathedral of Learning returns for another season | KDKA

Punxsutawney Phil says we're in for six more weeks of winter, but when it comes to the peregrine falcon nest on top of the Cathedral of Learning, the National Aviary says it's ready for spring.

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National Aviary kicks off winter season with new talks, experiences during ‘Rainforest Retreat’ | WPXI

The National Aviary’s winter season is bringing a “Rainforest Retreat” feature for guests to enjoy. The Rainforest Retreat experience includes daily talks and new activities. Tropical, woodland and coastal birds will be featured.

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Meet Wanda, a critically endangered Vietnam pheasant hatched at the National Aviary | CBS News

The National Aviary is introducing visitors to Wanda, a critically endangered Vietnam pheasant chick that hatched this spring.

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Guam kingfishers hatched at National Aviary among first released into wild in nearly 40 years | CBS News

Three Guam kingfishers that hatched at the National Aviary have been released on an island in the Pacific, marking the first time their species has been in the wild in nearly 40 years.

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Guam Sihek Released to the Wild | National Aviary

Nine Guam Kingfishers have been released to the wild on Palmyra Atoll, making them the first of their kind to reside in the wild since the 1980s.  

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