Order: Passerines & Songbirds

Loggerhead Shrike on a branch

The National Aviary is home to Loggerhead Shrikes behind-the-scenes. They are hawk-like songbirds that create “food pantries.”

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Yellow-rumped Cacique sitting in a tree

Yellow-rumped Caciques are named after the bright yellow plumage on their rump, which is brighter in males than females.

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Scarlet-faced Liocichla

The striking Scarlet-faced Liocichla is found in the dense, hilly forests in Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam, and China. These birds are typically furtive, spending much of their time foraging in the…

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Yellow-hooded Blackbird perched on a log

The Yellow-hooded Blackbird occurs in northern South America where it favors marshes with emergent aquatic plants such as cattails or bulrushes, as well as humid savannas, mangroves, and agricultural land…

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White-crested Laughingthrush perched on a branch

The White-crested Laughingthrush occurs in broadleaf evergreen forest and mixed deciduous forest in Southeast Asia and in the foothills of the Himalayan Mountains. It will also inhabit disturbed forests, secondary…

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The Turquoise Tanager occurs in the Amazon Basin and nearby habitats of South America where it favors forest edge, clearings with scattered trees, tall second growth, riparian forests, and parks…

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Venezuelan Troupial perched on a branch

The Venezuelan Troupial is the national bird of Venezuala. It is found in northern South America and several Caribbean islands. It occurs in dry woodland of acacia and tree-like cacti,…

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Taveta Golden Weaver perched on a branch

The Taveta Golden Weaver occurs in East African in Kenya and Tanzania. They are found in swampy lowland areas during the breeding season. Outside of the breeding season, they are…

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Superb Starling standing on a rock

Superb Starlings are dark iridescent blue on the back of their head and chest, a black face that sets off their bright white eyes, metallic blue-green back and wings, and…

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Silver-beaked Tanager perched on a branch

The Silver-beaked Tanager is a striking South American tanager of brushy forest borders, overgrown clearings, second growth, and shrubs around habitations and riverbanks. Often feeding in small groups, this tanager…

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Two Shaft-tailed Finches perched on a branch

The Shaft-tailed Finch, or Long-tailed Finch, is a handsome bird from northern Australia, where it is found in open woodlands, dry grassy savannas, and grassy brushland especially near water courses….

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Scissor-tailed Flycatcher perched on a rope

The Scissor-tailed Flycatcher, with its extremely long and distinctive tail, is a resident of savannas, fields, and pastures, as well as landscaped areas where there is a mix of trees,…

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In The News

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Two peregrine falcon chicks hatch atop Pitt’s Cathedral of Learning | 90.5 WESA

The peregrine falcons nesting on the University of Pittsburgh’s Cathedral of Learning welcomed two new hatchlings Thursday.

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First peregrine falcon chick hatches in Pitt’s Cathedral of Learning nest | KDKA News

It's Take Your Kid to Work Day, and the peregrine falcons nesting on Pitt's Cathedral of Learning apparently got the memo. 

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Newly Released Guam Kingfishers Produce Eggs in the Wild for the First Time in 40 Years!! | National Aviary

The Nine Birds released last fall (including three that hatched at the Aviary) continue to thrive in their new home on Palmyra Atoll

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New Andean condor arrives at National Aviary | CBS News

A new Andean condor has arrived at the National Aviary, with the hope that he'll play a role in conserving the species.

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Your Weekend Guide for Apr. 11-13: From a Bunny Trolley to an Eggstravaganza, spring has sprung in Pittsburgh! | Kidsburgh

Kids at the Aviary's spring-themed Eggstravaganza will participate in a scavenger hunt, story time, and receive prizes to take home, meet a skink and take a photo with the Easter Bunny. 

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