Order: Owls

Northern White-faced Owl

Northern White-faced Owls stand at about ten inches tall, comparable in size to Eastern Screech-Owls. They are distinguished by their prominent ear tufts and a striking white facial disc outlined by a thick black border. The body of the Northern White-Faced Owl is predominantly light gray-brown, adorned with delicate streaks and vermiculation’s – or markings…

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Spectacled Owl

Adult Spectacled Owls are distinctive for their brown upperparts and head with whitish face markings resembling a pair of glasses. As juveniles, their facial markings are the complete opposite—pure white except for a chocolate brown facial disc! This distinctive species can be found throughout Central and South America in dense rainforest habitats. The call of…

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A Eurasian Eagle Owl

Eurasian Eagle-Owls have the largest wingspan of any owl species, reaching a whopping 6.5 feet! This species is widely distributed across Europe and Asia, and frequents a variety of habitats, from coniferous forests to grasslands and deserts. Eurasian Eagle-Owls are powerful flyers and soar on updrafts, similar to the flight style of many hawks. They…

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A light brown Eastern Screech-Owl calmly perched on the gloved hand of a National Aviary expert.

Eastern Screech-Owls are a very common owl species throughout North America, and they have gotten very used to living near humans. These pint-sized owls can be gray or a reddish-brown. They roost and nest in cavities in trees, but also make use of nest boxes. Males are smaller than females, but still have a deeper…

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Burrowing Owl on a rock

Burrowing Owls are a small, long-legged species of owl that spends the majority of its time on the ground. They are native to open grassland, prairie, and desert habitats and range from southern Canada (where they are considered an endangered species) to the drier habitats of South America. They have also been found nesting in…

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Headshot of a Barred Owl

A relatively common Nearctic owl, the Barred Owl inhabits mature mixed deciduous-coniferous forests, often near streams or wooded swamps. This owl nests primarily in cavities, with both parents helping to care for the young until the autumn. Barred Owls have a varied diet of small mammals and birds. Barred Owls are, unfortunately, susceptible to collisions…

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In The News

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How to Tell a Raven From a Crow, According to Bird Experts | Martha Stewart

National Aviary Director of Animal Programs and Experiences, Cathy Schlott, explains the clearest ways to tell which bird you’re looking at.

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Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Closes Out Third Annual Outdoors for All Celebration in Pittsburgh | Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

More than 25 Pittsburgh-area outdoor recreation and conservation organizations came together to offer hands-on activities, opportunities to get out on the water, education, and community connection at the event.

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Sloth birthday party draws hundreds to the National Aviary | Pittsburgh City Paper

Pittsburgh’s National Aviary hosted a birthday party for its resident sloths, Wookiee and Vivien, last week. Over 500 visitors stopped in to wish the animal ambassadors a happy birthday and sign an oversized card in their honor.

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National Aviary hospital to secure leadership in conservation and research with $500K boost | TribLive

Aviary officials are eyeing a pioneering facility that will elevate animal wellness and train future avian care professionals. Renovations will be done to the facility on the North Side campus.

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How to Stop Birds From Flying Into Your Window, According to an Expert (ft. insights from Bob Mulvihill) | Pet News

Learn why birds keep flying into windows and the expert-approved solutions that actually work

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