Native to northern and eastern Australia, as well as parts of New Guinea, New Guinea Blue-tongued Skinks are one of the largest skink species (measuring up to 24 inches long!). They have robust, stocky bodies, a triangular head, and sturdy limbs that are adapted for both climbing and burrowing. They are adorned with a mix of brown, gray, and orange scales that provide camouflage in their natural habitat.

In the wild, they are diurnal, meaning they are active during the day and night. During colder months, these skinks may enter a state of brumation, a hibernation-like period where their metabolism slows down significantly.

These skinks are omnivorous, feeding on various plants, insects, and even small animals.  

The closest living relative to the now extinct Dodo, the Nicobar Pigeon occurs only on small wooded, often uninhabited islands of the Indo-Malayan region, where it favors lowland habitats such as mangroves, scrub, and lowland and foothill forests. It may also occur in some forests which have been selectively logged. This species nests colonially, with sometimes several nests being placed in a single tree. Like other pigeons, the Nicobar feeds primarily on fallen fruits and seeds on the ground. A gizzard stone that is contained in the Nicobar Pigeon’s stomach helps the bird to grind up hard food items. When Nicobar pigeons drink they submerge their beak and suck up water, instead of sipping as other birds do.

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 resembling the tracks of worms. Their eyes, a mesmerizing feature, range from deep amber-yellow to a deep orange hue and have a “wuh-wuuuu” call; the first note is short while the second is drawn out and repeated every few seconds. 

When faced with a threat, these owls can either flare open its wings and puff up to appear larger, or it can compress its feathers, elongate its body, and narrow its eyes to thin slits, making it appear inanimate. This behavior is why the White-fronted Scops Owl is sometimes referred to as the “Transformer” Owl. It is an interesting adaptation that allows the owl to blend into its surroundings and avoid being detected by predators.

The Owl Finch, or Double-barred Finch, is a handsome bird from northern and eastern Australia, where it is found in open grassy woodlands, scrublands, forest edge, and grassy vegetation along larger watercourses, as well as more anthropogenic habitats such as cane fields, roadsides, and parks and gardens. Like similar finches, the Owl Finch feeds of grasses and forbs on the ground, but will take more insects during the breeding season. The nest of this finch is a ball with a side entrance, made from grass, lined with soft grasses or feathers, and placed in a bush or small tree. Despite its popularity as a cage bird, the Owl Finch is not threatened.

The Palawan Peacock-pheasant is a gorgeous bird with vibrant plumage; males have bright blue accents while females have striking markings and less colorful plumage. The spots on their feathers resemble eyes and may help scare away predators. Males use their remarkable plumage in an elaborate courtship display. Palawan Peacock-pheasants are strictly monogamous, and both males and females help with the rearing of young. Like many related pheasants, this species is threatened by loss of habitat and hunting.

The Palm Cockatoo has the largest bill of any parrot (except for the Hyacinth Macaw), and it uses its powerful bill to eat very hard seeds and nuts that other species can’t access, like palm nuts. They are also among the loudest of all parrots, and communicate by whistling contact calls, stomping noisily on their perches, and drumming loudly against trees with a stick. This drumming display can be used to signify their territory to other Palm Cockatoos, but is also performed at the nest site as a courtship display! Before breeding season begins, a pair of Palm Cockatoos may construct multiple nests. Some are used exclusively for display purposes.

A striking black and white vulture of Sub-Saharan Africa, the Palm-nut Vulture is found along the edges of tropical forests, large rivers, lakes, and seashores, especially where oil palms abound. Unlike other vultures, the Palm-nut Vulture feeds only occasionally on smaller carrion – and rarely at large animal carcasses – and instead specializes its feeding on the fleshy fruit and husks of the oil palm, and on the palm-fruits of Raffia palm. These fruits make up more than 60% of an adult bird’s diet and more than 90% of a juvenile bird’s diet. Unlike the situation with many vultures in the Old World, the Palm-nut Vulture’s population is stable or even increasing.

Peregrine Falcons are one of the most widely distributed land animals in the world, having been observed on every content in the world except for Antarctica. Highly regarded as a noble bird by biologists and licensed falconers, Peregrines have darker, striped plumage and tapered wings for aerodynamic flight.

Although currently classified as Least Concern, Peregrine Falcon populations weren’t always stable. Peregrines essentially disappeared from the east coast in the 1960s, and were on the brink of extinction in the United States (U.S.) due to harmful pesticide effects, particularly DDT. Conservation measures for the species have been very successful, and the U.S. Peregrine Falcon population quickly recovered. The species was removed from the Endangered Species List in 1999, just 29 years after being placed on the list. 

To further the study of wild Peregrine Falcon populations, particularly in urban areas, the National Aviary hosts a live stream of the Peregrine family living high atop the University of Pittsburgh’s Cathedral of Learning: The National Aviary’s Peregrine FalconCam. Tune in every spring and summer to see the current happenings of a wild pair – who knows, they might even raise a few chicks!  

Measuring between 18 – 20 inches long, Pied Crows are found throughout Africa, from Senegal to Sudan. They reside in most environments except for rainforests and very hot desert regions. They have a hefty, robust bill that allows them to eat various foods from small vertebrates to fruit, and carrion. Because of its expansive diet, Pied Crow’s are an important member of the environmental clean-up crew as they consume carrion and help stop the spread of diseases (just like vultures!). They also keep prey populations stable as well as contribute to the distribution of seeds.  

Crows are an extremely smart species and have been observed using tools to get food – like dropping stones on an egg to crack the shell open. 

Pied Crows look like American Crows, except Pied Crows wear stylish white “sweater vests!”

The Pied Imperial-Pigeon is a very large inhabitant of coastal forests, mangroves and coconut plantations, principally on islands in the Indo-Malayan region. This species travels in flocks at dusk and dawn and nests in colonies of up to tens of thousands of birds. They are among the most powerful and agile flyers in the bird world, and they have very large flight muscles. This has enabled them to colonize many different islands across expansive stretches of open water.

The Pink-headed Fruit-Dove is a stunning resident of the montane forests in high mountains throughout Indonesia. They feed on figs and small berries, staying high up in the forest canopy. This species lays a single egg, which the male incubates during the day and the female at night. While the Pink-headed Fruit-Dove is considered a species of least concern, it is facing declines in the wild. Pink-headed Fruit-Doves are found in a very restricted range, found only in very tall mountain regions within a band of high elevation forests, and deforestation poses a threat to their habitat.

The handsome Plush-crested Jay inhabits forests, open woodlands, and forest edges, as well as scrublands and fruit groves of south-central South America. This species is omnivorous, mostly eating small invertebrates and fruits, but also taking seeds, eggs, nestlings, frogs, and lizards. Plush-crested Jays forage in flocks of several birds, and, like temperate zone jays, will cache (store) extra food in crannies of trees and in holes under leaf litter. The Plushed-crested Jay is a communal breeder, with two or three helpers at the nest who are the pair’s young from previous nestings. These helpers participate in nest duties and nest defense. Although not threatened, the illegal pet trade is a negative factor affecting the species.