The National Aviary’s Name-A-Bird program is an incredible opportunity to support the high-quality care that the National Aviary provides for every member of our flock every day, and to form a special bond with an animal in our care. Naming a bird at the National Aviary makes for a perfect, unforgettable gift and a thoughtful, one-of-a-kind gesture to share your love for animals.
Donors will enjoy a number of benefits for their role in the Name-A-Bird program, including a naming certificate, a photograph of the bird along with a fact sheet, and a special tour that includes a visit with the bird’s care staff. Each bird will have its chosen name included in the National Aviary’s official animal registry, and a record of your naming will be recognized on site at the National Aviary.
To inquire about Name-A-Bird opportunities, please contact Ted Bartlett at [email protected] or 412-258-9433.
Naming Agreement and Understanding: Following approval of the requested name, the name will be registered in the official ZIMS registry and shall remain the official name for the entirety of the life of the bird at the National Aviary. Due to the nature of working with live animals, specific lifespans of animals cannot be guaranteed. Because the National Aviary is part of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) Species Survival Plan® program, a coordinated conservation effort to save animals from extinction, there is no guarantee that the bird will remain at the National Aviary for its full lifespan, and may be subject to relocation at any time to another AZA institution or to be released to the wild.
Iconic Birds ($5,000+)
These Iconic Birds from around the globe are beloved by visitors and play an important role as storytellers, telling the conservation story of their species and their habitats. With the naming of an Iconic Bird comes additional benefits, including:
- Naming rights of your animal that will be officially recorded in the ZIMS animal registry
- Digital and/or print recognition in select publications if your animal is featured
- Digital and/or print recognition in additional donor listings
- Onsite recognition in a central location (with brief personalized message)
- Commemorative plaque
- Commemorative plaque presentation
- Animal photograph and fact sheet
- VIP Tour, including a visit with your animal’s care staff
- Photo session with your bird (or alternate when not available) and commemorative photo book
Iconic Birds available for naming:
- Stay tuned for new Iconic Bird species!
Distinguished Birds ($2,500)
The birds in the Distinguished Birds category are truly diverse, representing nearly every continent and ranging in size from the diminutive but colorful songbird, the Red Siskin of Venezuela, to impressive Red-tailed Hawk found throughout North America. Naming a Distinguished Bird comes with benefits, including:
- Naming rights of your animal that will be officially recorded in the ZIMS animal registry
- Digital and/or print recognition in select publications if your animal is featured
- Onsite placard recognition in central location (includes brief personalization)
- Digital and/or print recognition in additional donor listings
- Official naming certificate
- Animal photograph and fact sheet
- VIP Tour
Perching Birds & Songbirds
Among the most varied group, perching birds and songbirds come in all shapes and sizes, from the small, sparrow-sized Red Bishop to the large, crow-sized Capuchinbird, and all colors, too, from the slate gray of the elegant Scissor-tailed Flycatcher to the bright hues of the Red Siskin. Perching birds and songbirds are vulnerable around the world to the effects of climate change and loss of habitat.
Perching Birds & Songbirds available for naming:
- Golden-crested Myna
- Red-legged Honeycreeper
- Scissor-tailed Flycatcher
- White-throated Bee-eater
- Red Siskin
- Superb Starling
- Venezuelan Troupial
Waterbirds
Waterbirds can include birds as different as the tiny North American Ruddy Duck, the long and lanky Javan Pond Heron, and the unusual looking shorebird, the Masked Lapwing. Waterbirds around the world are vulnerable to habitat loss, environmental pollution, and the effects of climate change.
Waterbirds available for naming:
- Javan Pond Heron
- North American Ruddy Duck
- Roseate Spoonbill
- Masked Lapwing
- African Pygmy-goose
- Boat-billed Heron
- Sunbittern
- Inca Tern
- Bufflehead
- Marbled Teal
- Scarlet Ibis
Doves & Pigeons
Known for their soft cooing calls, doves and pigeons are not often thought of as showy birds, but some truly stand out, like the Victoria Crowned Pigeon with its elaborate crown, or the eye-catching Mariana Fruit-Dove. Many dove and pigeon species are threatened by habitat loss and climate change.
Doves & Pigeons available for naming:
- Luzon Bleeding-heart Dove
- Mariana Fruit-Dove
- Black-naped Fruit Dove
Raptors
Raptors are impressive birds of prey, with powerful talons and beaks—adaptations that make them skillful hunters. Raptors around the world face threats to their survival, including habitat loss, poisoning, and collisions with the built environment.
Raptors available for naming:
- Stay tuned for more details
Quails
Quails are small ground birds, with short, broad wings, and often well camouflaged. Their dappled plumage helps them blend in with their surroundings, usually in grassland areas. Many grouse species, like the Masked Bobwhite, are in sharp decline due to habitat loss.
Quails available for naming:
- Masked Bobwhite
To inquire about Name-A-Bird opportunities, please contact Ted Bartlett at [email protected] or 412-258-9433.