Order: Falcons

Female American Kestrel, She-ra at the National Aviary

A small raptor (weighing between 3 to 6 ounces) with a widespread distribution throughout much of the Americas, the American Kestrel is the smallest falcon in North America. It is one of few dimorphic raptors, with the male and female being very differently colored. The best way to tell the difference? Males have blue-gray wings…

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Peregrine Falcon

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…

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Lanner Falcon side profile

Lanner Falcons are strong, stocky birds with long wings and a relatively short tail, very similar to the North American Peregrine Falcon. Males and females of this species tend to look the same, but females are slightly larger. Lanner Falcons have been used in the sport of falconry for centuries, and are prized for their…

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In The News

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The Bird That Builds Its Own Incubator and Raises Itself (ft. insights from Senior Aviculturist, Brianna Crane) | A-Z Animals

Rather than sitting on their eggs themselves, they rely on external heat sources for incubation.

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National Aviary’s new bird causing a buzz in Northeast | KDKA

The Aviary recently welcomed Dariéna, a one-year-old female Harpy Eagle from the Miami Zoo, and she is the only known Harpy Eagle in the entire Northeast, weighing around 17 to 20 pounds.

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Peregrine Falcon Storm on KDKA News Radio! | KDKA

Director of Animal Programs and Experiences, Cathy Schlott talks all things Peregrine Falcons with John and Rachael from YaJagoff!

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New harpy eagle at the Aviary is a ‘once-in-a-lifetime species to see’ | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Pittsburgh has the only one in the Northeast, reflecting the bird's endangered status in the wild and slow reproduction rate.

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National Aviary Welcomes ONLY Harpy Eagle on the Northeast! | National Aviary

The National Aviary is overjoyed to welcome a new juvenile female Harpy Eagle to our flock! Hailing from the Miami Zoo (tag), this one-year-old raptor is the ONLY known Harpy living in the Northeast...  

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