Order: Gulls, Terns, & Lapwings

Silver Gull standing on a rock

The Silver Gull is the most common gull found in Australia. It is most common in coastal areas but can be found throughout the continent. They use a variety of habitats, from sandy and rocky shores to garbage dumps, and breed on small islands. Their diet is as varied as their habitats. The Silver Gull…

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A Masked Lapwing in the water

The Masked Lapwing is also known as the Spur-winged Plover because of a unique feature: each of its wings has a yellow spur at the “elbow” (carpal joint) used to keep predators away from nests and chicks. Masked Lapwings are common throughout Australia, Indonesia, New Guinea, and New Zealand, where they inhabit marshes, mudflats, beaches,…

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Inca Tern

This dark tern with its reddish-orange beak and feat, and striking white moustache, is a resident of the coasts of Peru and Chile where it catches fish in the Humboldt Current. The Inca Tern nests along the Pacific coast on rocky cliffs or guano islands, sometimes utilizing the old nest of a Humboldt Penguin. Reduction…

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In The News

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National Aviary’s ‘Jingle Bell Flock’ show brings high-flying holiday cheer | TribLive

The National Aviary on the North Side is getting into the festive spirit, starting the day after Thanksgiving with its new “Jingle Bell Flock” immersive show.

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55-plus holiday season events for kids in the Pittsburgh area | Kidsburgh

Glowing light shows, magical theatrical productions and the best music of the season are just a small part of the lineup.

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A penguin waddles into the PTL studio! | Pittsburgh Today Live

The National Aviary paid a visit to the PTL studios, and they brought Ella the African Penguin with them to tell Mikey and David about the work they're doing to protect the flightless birds.

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Best of the World 2026 | National Geographic

Steel mills once shaped outsiders’ whole impressions of Pittsburgh, but today the city increasingly defines itself by embracing the venerable cultural institutions that industrial prosperity helped build.

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Fun fall events at the National Aviary | Pittsburgh Today Live

Hear about all of the National Aviary fun happening this fall!

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