Order: Parrots

Yellow-naped Amazon

The Yellow-naped Amazon is an Endangered species of the Pacific coast of Mexico and Central America. It inhabits semi-arid woodland, arid scrubland and pine savannas, and treefall gaps in tropical deciduous and swamp forests. Often found in large and noisy flocks, they feed on a variety of seeds and fruits. They nest in hollows of…

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Rainbow Lorikeet perched on a branch

Rainbow Lorikeets couldn’t have a more appropriate name. These small, active parrots are among the most brightly colored in the bird world – as though someone used a whole box of crayons while designing them! Lorikeets are native to Australia and eastern Indonesia, where they live in large, noisy flocks. Nectar from blooming trees such…

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Scarlet Macaws are a striking bird, known for their deep red coloring and white faces. In their tropical evergreen habitats, they can often be seen flying in pairs or in family groups. Their calls can be loud and harsh, and Scarlet Macaws in human care can sometimes mimic human speech. They have powerful beaks and…

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Palm Cockatoo perched on a branch

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…

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Military Macaw perched on a branch

The Military Macaw, a parrot species with a fragmented range running from Mexico to northwest Argentina, is a playful and inquisitive bird. Each Military Macaw has a unique pattern of feathers on its face, similar to a human fingerprint. They also have incredible vision and are able to see colors on the ultraviolet spectrum that…

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Meyer's Parrot perched on a branch

The Meyer’s Parrot (also called the Brown Parrot), is a species native to tropical Africa, found throughout scrub, savanna, palm grove, and subtropical woodland habitats. This species relies on old-growth areas with large trees, because it nests in the excavated cavities left by woodpeckers. While the Meyer’s Parrot is similar to other parrots in its…

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Hyacinth Macaw perched on a branch

The Hyacinth Macaw is a beautiful inhabitant of várzea, savanna, palm-savannas, and similar habitats adjacent to tropical forests in central and eastern South America. These intelligent and social birds are sometimes known as “gentle giants” for their gentle personalities and their large size. They are the largest macaw species, with strong beaks to match: some…

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The Green-winged Macaw (also called the Red-and-green Macaw) is a large parrot, second only to the Hyacinth Macaw in size. This species range is also large, spanning eastern Panama to Paraguay. The Green-winged Macaw’s band of green feathers on its wings and the presence of fine, tiny red feathers on its white face distinguish it…

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Blue-fronted Amazon perched on a branch

Blue-fronted Amazon parrots, also called Turquoise-fronted Amazons, are loud, social, and intelligent birds that live in family groups in their native South American habitats. They are cavity nesters, and rely on old-growth forested areas for breeding. Like all parrots, Blue-fronted Amazons have the ability to mimic different sounds in their environment — an ability that…

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African Grey Parrot

African Grey Parrots, a medium-sized parrot native to the forests of central Africa, are some of the best mimics in the bird world. In the wild, this species often copies the sounds of other animals in the forest. Around people, they may learn to copy a variety of sounds including laughter, a phone ringing, whistling,…

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In The News

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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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National Aviary holds early celebration for its sloth’s Halloween ‘boo day’ | WPXI

The Aviary’s Linnaeus’s Two-toed Sloth, Valentino, was born on Halloween. But since the facility is closed on that day, the aviary celebrated his 10th “boo day” early.

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Pittsburgh’s Regional Asset District issues record preliminary budget | 90.5 WESA

In all, RAD proposes to fund 107 organizations of all sizes, from the Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium, the National Aviary, Pittsburgh Symphony and Heinz History Center to small dance and theater troupes.

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Pittsburgh conservation planting seeds for visitors and investment | Capital Analytics Associates

Pittsburgh’s conservation institutions are a growing part of the Commonwealth’s outdoor recreation economy. At the National Aviary, Executive Director Cheryl Tracy says the institution is “just getting started,” despite nearly 75 years of history.

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