Archives: Bird Species

Male Red

The Red Siskin is an Endangered species owing to its popularity as a cage bird. The Red Siskin is a vibrantly colored finch that was once plentiful in Venezuela and so recognizable that their image is printed on Venezuelan banknotes, written into poetry, and appears in works of art. Native to the northern regions of…

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Red Bishop perched on a rock

The Northern Red Bishop, sometimes called the Orange Bishop, is a small songbird found in the grasslands and wetlands of Africa. Some populations have become established in other areas, as well. This species forages in small flocks, primarily eating seeds. Males are a stunning orange. Females are less colorful but have beautiful streaking. Their song…

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Red-billed Leiothrix perched on a branch.

Native to southern China and the Himalayas, the Red-billed Leiothrix inhabits the thick undergrowth of more open broadleaf evergreen, pine, and mixed forests, as well as scrub and forest edges. The Red-billed Leiothrix forages low in vegetation for fruit and arthropods. Outside the breeding season this species may occur in large flocks of up to…

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Owl Finch perched on a branch

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…

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Western Hooded Pitta

A very colorful and terrestrial bird of the forest understory, the Western Hooded Pitta occurs in a wide range of habitats in Southeast Asia, including primary riverine forests, secondary forests with heavy understory or scrub, and wet or dry forests. This species can also be found in commercial plantations such as overgrown rubber or coffee…

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A Grosbeak Starling perched on a branch

The Grosbeak Starling, also known as the Finch-billed Myna, is endemic to the island of Sulawesi, Indonesia where it inhabits forest edge and open woodlands. It is also very common in modified habitats such as plantations. The Grosbeak Starling often forages in large groups with other Grosbeak Starlings high in the canopy where it consumes…

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Golden-crested Myna perched on a wooden stump

A native of lowland evergreen forest, deciduous and mixed woodland, open forest, and cleared areas with scattered tall trees of India and Indochina, the striking Golden-crested Myna forages for fruit and insects high in the canopy. A cavity nester, this species most frequently utilizes natural holes in trees. Although Golden-crested Mynas are often captured for…

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A Golden-breasted Starling perched on a branch

The Golden-breasted Starling is a beautifully colored bird, unmistakable and hard to miss! It inhabits the dry bush and savanna of the arid and semi-arid regions of northeastern Africa. This starling forages mainly on the ground for a variety of insects and some fruits, but termites are a favorite food. This species is a cooperative…

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A Golden White-eye perched on a branch

A small, understory specialist, the Golden White-eye is an Endangered bird restricted to the islands of Saipan and Aguijan in the Northern Mariana Islands. This species occurs in a wide variety of wooded and semi-wooded habitats, including suburban areas where it pursues a generalized diet of berries, seeds, nectar, and flower parts, as well as…

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A Fairy Bluebird perched on a branch

The Fairy-bluebird lives up to its name: this bird’s plumage is a deep brilliant blue. Males have glossy black feathers on the wings, chest, and tail, and the eyes of both sexes are bright red. Found in tropical forests throughout southeast Asia, the Fairy-bluebird mainly eats fruit, which it takes while perched or snatches from…

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Dhyal Thrush perched on a branch

The Dhyal Thrush, also called the Oriental Magpie-Robin, is a small songbird found throughout India and southeast Asia. It is the national bird of Bangladesh. The Dhyal Thrush can be found in a variety of habitats including deciduous forest, orchards, cacao plantations, and even in residential village gardens. It has a clear warbling song that…

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A Crested Oropendola perched on a wooden stump

The Crested Oropendola inhabits forest edges and clearings in lowland South America east of the Andes Mountains. This species forages mostly in the upper stratum of trees on fruits, insects, and spiders, as well as small vertebrates such as tree frogs. The Crested Oropendola will also take cultivated fruits such as oranges, papayas, and mangos….

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In The News

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Peregrine falcons on Pitt’s Cathedral of Learning lay first egg of season | CBS News

The National Aviary, which runs a livestream of the nest, said Carla laid the first egg around 4 a.m. on Wednesday. It's the first of up to six, though the average peregrine falcon clutch is four. 

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National Aviary’s star peregrine falcons welcome first egg of the season | WPXI

Carla and Ecco are featured on the aviary’s Peregrine FalconCam livestream, showing their nest high up on the southeast side of the Cathedral of Learning.

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50 family adventures across the USA as America celebrates its 250th anniversary | Times Entertainment

As the country gears up to celebrate its 250th anniversary, here are 50 family-friendly travel experiences across the United States.

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Going to the 2026 NFL Draft? Here are other places to check out | Beaver County Times

As the NFL Draft sweeps into downtown Pittsburgh, there is plenty for visitors to explore beyond the football-themed attractions.

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The Invisible Clues Animals Leave Behind Are Helping Save Entire Ecosystems (featuring an interview with Dr. Steve Latta) | A-Z Animals

In this article, we speak with Dr. Steven Latta, Director of Conservation and Field Research at The National Aviary. In his own work, he collects eDNA samples from water, leaf litter, feathers, egg shells, and other substrates to identify species presence.

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