Grasslands

Grasslands Presented by Vitro Architectural Glass

Owl Finch in a natural nest

The Grasslands Presented by Vitro Architectural Glass is an indoor habitat where small songbirds from around the globe birds fly freely around you. This recently renovated habitat is a serene, quiet space where the soft chirps, trills, and songs of finches and sparrows surround you. Natural light filters in through skylights above you.

In 2024, the Grasslands was beautifully revamped and features new and improved roofing, additional lush plants and greenery, and new skylight glazing that maximizes UV transmittance for our birds. The National Aviary, including this recent renovation, is supported in part by the taxpayers of Allegheny County through a public grant from the Allegheny Regional Asset District (RAD). RAD works here.

You may see beautiful Green Singing Finches gathering nesting material, or catch the inquisitive Owl Finches peering at you from the branches of trees. Shaft-tailed Finches land on perches close by. A Red Siskin’s red feathers make them stand out as they fly overhead.

The National Aviary is part of global collaborative program to help save this endangered species, native to Venezuela, and boost the population. All of the Red Siskins living in the Grasslands habitat were born in our state-of-the-art Breeding Center!

The plantscape of the Grasslands incorporates inspiration from grassland habitats around the world.

Safeguarding Grasslands

Visitors to Canary’s Call can learn how to be good stewards of our planet, including the conservation of crucial grassland habitats. In addition to carbon storage, these habitats – whether the savannah in Africa, prairies in North America, or downs in Australia – allow rainwater to penetrate into the ground, helping to prevent flooding and maintaining critical water sources for flora and fauna alike. However, grasslands face largely human-caused threats like unsustainable farming practices. Learn how YOU can help protect them, thanks to tips and tricks from the National Aviary Green Team.

Learn More

Thank You to Our Grasslands Sponsor:

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In The News

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Peregrine falcons to be protected during Tarentum Bridge construction project | TribLive

Peregrine falcons that nest under the Tarentum Bridge will be protected as best they can during an upcoming, long-term construction project along the span.

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Think pink: The National Aviary hosts Flamingo Fest | Pitt News

This past weekend, from Feb. 28 to March 1, the National Aviary celebrated Flamingo Fest, a two-day special event dedicated to the tropical pink bird. The event originally started as a chance for aviary visitors to see live flamingos.

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Record number of peregrine falcons counted in Allegheny County | WPXI

The National Aviary says six peregrine falcons were recorded in the county during the annual Audubon Christmas Bird Count.

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The USA’s “bird zoo,” this indoor nonprofit aquarium and aviary is home to many colorful creatures.

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Avian education center prepares to take flight in Pittsburgh | WESA

The Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation is coming together with the National Aviary to build out an education wing in the aviary’s recently acquired conservation center in Fox Chapel, the National Aviary SK Rockwell Conservancy.

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