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FUN FACT
Barbets are related to toucans and woodpeckers.
The Bearded Barbet derives its name from the distinctive bristles that sit at the base of its bill, which both males and females possess. This handsome bird, with bright red underbelly and glossy black feathers on its back, is native to the tropical habitats of western Africa. Bearded Barbets are often found in groups, moving from one fruiting tree to another and clipping fruits with their powerful bills. The Bearded Barbet is not globally threatened.
Habitat
Occurs near acacia, baobab, fig, and other fruiting trees in gardens; also in open woods and thickets and secondary growth associated with abandoned farmlands
Diet
Little known, but includes fruit, and perhaps chiefly figs
Status
Least Concern
Breeding
Bearded Barbets excavate a nest in a dead stub or dead branch of a tree, such as acacia or palm. Their nesting habits are little studied. They are reported to lay 2 eggs. In human care, Bearded Barbets incubate their eggs for at least 16 days and nestlings remain with parents for about 40 days.

FUN FACT
This dove is beautiful because it is extremely colorful. It has been described as having a “red crown, whitish throat, a greenish-yellow bill and purplish-red feet…blue-grey breast and yellowish orange belly, with a reddish purple patch in between,” which is pretty much every color of the rainbow!
The Beautiful Fruit-Dove is appropriately named! This dove has gorgeous coloring, from its purplish-red crown to its green wings and orange underbelly. The Beautiful Fruit-Dove is found in New Guinea, where it lives in all levels of primary and secondary forests, from understory to canopy. They are frugivorous (fruit-eating), and forage either alone or in pairs. The Beautiful Fruit-Dove is not globally threatened, and appears to be adaptable to human-altered habitats.
Habitat
Primary and secondary forest; prefers high rainfall areas. Uses all levels of the forest from the understory to the canopy, and can also be found occasionally at the forest edge and in native gardens
Diet
Frugivorous, taking fruit from a variety of trees, shrubs, palms and vines. Can swallow fruits as big as 2 cm in diameter. Generally is very active and acrobatic when feeding.
Status
Least Concern
Breeding
The Beautiful Fruit-Dove's nest is a loose, slight platform of twigs and a few leaves, placed on lateral branches near the top of a slender understory tree, or on a palm frond or other low platform. They lay a single white egg.









FUN FACT
Black Crakes sometimes will perch on the backs of large mammals like hippopotamuses and warthogs, probably to catch parasites.
The Black Crake is a water bird found throughout sub-Saharan Africa. With its bright yellow bill, red legs, and sleek black body, this bird is among the most common and least secretive of Africa’s rail species. They are well-suited for life in a wetland habitat: their long toes help them move easily along floating vegetation, and their specially adapted bills help them hunt aquatic animals like fish, crabs, and shrimp. They build their nests in vegetation over water, and sometimes build nests that float. They have a distinctive call performed as a “duet.” The Black Crake is not globally threatened.
Habitat
Occupies many types of freshwater wetlands having moderate vegetation such as rank grass, sedges, reedbeds, papyrus; occurs in swampy thickets, bushes, and other vegetation beside flowing and still waters; also often found on ponds covered with Nymphaea (water lilies) and other floating vegetation
Diet
Worms, mollusks, crustaceans, insects, small fish, tadpoles, and small frogs; also seeds and other parts of water plants. Opportunistically takes eggs and nestlings of other birds and scavenges carcasses of crabs, crayfish, and small birds
Status
Least Concern
Breeding
The nest of the Black Crake is a deep, bulky bowl made of reeds, rushes, sedges, and other water plants, placed in vegetation over the water, and sometimes floating. Both sexes build the nest, sometimes with help from young of the previous broods. Both parents incubate a clutch of 3 eggs for 13-19 days; chicks leave the nest 1-3 days after hatching and are fed and cared for by parents and other young from previous broods for at least 3-6 weeks. Young can fly at 5-6 weeks.









FUN FACT
Black Kites eat “on the wing,” catching smaller prey out of the air with their talons and bringing the food directly to their mouths without slowing down.
The Black Kite is a medium-sized, primarily brown raptor. Kites are characterized by their long wings and tails, buoyant and acrobatic flight, and ability to catch food in mid-air. Black Kites are widespread and adaptable and can be found throughout portions of Africa, Europe, and Australasia. They eat small mammals, other birds, carrion, and insects. Their most notable trait is the ability to catch and eat prey while still in flight and they have been observed catching large insects fleeing from wildfires. Unlike most raptors, Black Kites are a fairly social and gregarious species and often gather in large flocks to roost and feed.
Habitat
Nearly ubiquitous, occurring from semi-desert, grassland, and savanna to woodland, but avoids dense forest. Commonly found in aquatic habitats, e.g. rivers, lakes, wetlands, seashores, and nearby in meadows and along margins of wetlands. Often linked with humans and has successfully colonized large urban areas of Africa and Asia.
Diet
Small animals, insects, carrion, and human refuse
Status
Least Concern
Breeding
Black Kites often nest in loose colonies and in areas where nesting sites are at a premium, and have been observed nesting only a few feet from one another. Nests are generally built in trees, cliffs, or building ledges, and consist primarily of sticks and twigs. Black Kites typically lay 2-3 eggs which are incubated by the female for approximately 30 days. After hatching, the young birds remain in the nest for an additional 6-8 weeks, and become independent roughly 3 weeks after fledging.
FUN FACT
The nostrils of a Black Vulture do not have a septum to divide them, but instead are perforated; you can see through their beak from the side!
The American Black Vulture is one of several vultures of the Americas which feed almost entirely on large animal carrion. Appropriate habitat for the Black Vulture must combine open areas where carrion can be found, suitable isolated nest sites such as abandoned buildings, rock outcrops, or hollow trees for breeding, and large, undisturbed stands of trees for roosting. At night, Black Vultures often roost in the same tree, and their communal roosts may contain hundreds of birds. Black Vultures conserve energy during the night by reducing their body temperature. When morning comes, they warm up by spreading their wings in the sun. Although not currently threatened, vultures, like other species at the top of the food chain, are always susceptible to being fatally contaminated by residues of heavy metals, chemicals, and other contaminants that bioaccumulate in the tissues of the carrion that they consume.
Habitat
Habitat combines open areas where carrion can be found, suitable isolated nest sites (abandoned buildings, rock outcrops, palmetto thickets, hollow/fallen trees) for breeding; large, undisturbed stands of trees for roosting
Diet
Feeds almost entirely on large animal carrion which it detects by sight, not smell; know to sometimes feed opportunistically on small living prey, such as sea turtle eggs and hatchlings
Status
Least Concern
Breeding
Black Vultures nest in dark recesses and under cover in caves, hollow logs, rock crevices, and even abandoned buildings. Their usual clutch size is 2 eggs, which hatch after 38-39 days of incubation. Young attain full size and feathering at 70 days but remain at the nest site for another 10 days or so before flying off with the parents. Parents continue to feed their young for several months after fledging.
FUN FACT
The Black-faced Ibis is a very noisy bird, especially during the breeding season.
The Black-faced Ibis is found throughout open fields and meadows in southern South America. Black-faced Ibises are sociable birds, often nesting in colonies of up to 50 pairs, and sometimes among other species like Black-crowned Night-Herons or cormorants. They may feed alone or in small flocks, and their diet consists of insects and occasionally frogs, salamanders, and small rodents. This species is not globally threatened.
Habitat
Open country in meadows, pastures, plowed and cultivated fields; also marshy areas and borders of lakes and rivers
Diet
Diet includes insects, worms, insect larvae and pupae; opportunistically, vertebrates such as frogs, salamanders, and small rodents. Feeds alone, in pairs or in small flocks of 3–12 birds; in larger groups in winter. Forages by walking slowly, while probing bill into soil and vegetation
Status
Least Concern
Breeding
Black-faced Ibises are colonial nesters, and sometimes nest with Black-crowned Night-Herons or with cormorants. Colonies can have as many as 50 pairs. Their nest is a large platform of dry branches and stick lined with grass or rush stems, situated on rocky outcrops, on the ground near water, or in reedbeds. In urban areas they occasionally nest in large ornamental trees. The clutch size is 2-3 eggs. Young leave the nest after 35-40 days.
FUN FACT
This species is also called the “black headed fruit dove,” although only the male has black on the nape of his neck. The female and young are about as solid bright green as any bird could be!
Black-naped Fruit-Doves are colorful birds, common on the islands of Java, Bali, and Sulawesi. Males are a rainbow of colors, with a yellow throat patch, purplish wing tips, red undertail feathers, and a silvery head topped with a black cap. Females are almost entirely green. They forage for berries and fruits in pairs or small flocks, plucking fruits directly from the trees. Black-naped Fruit-Doves may eat as many as 36 different fruits, making this species ecologically important as a seed disperser. This species is not globally threatened.
Habitat
Inhabits forest, forest edge, and patches of scrub and forest; will visit fruiting trees in open country, agricultural areas, and suburban parks and gardens; mangroves are important habitat for the species on small islands
Diet
An obligate frugivore, known to take fruits and berries directly from branches
Status
Least Concern
Breeding
Black-naped Fruit-Doves build a simple platform of twigs, usually placed low, and lay one egg.









FUN FACT
Rollers are named for their acrobatic flight while snatching flying insects out of the air.
Blue-bellied Rollers are a colorful species native to central Africa. Males and females look identical, and have a brilliant royal blue abdomen, dark and light blue feathers on their wings, and a tan head. They are powerful flyers and have a loud, croaking call. During the breeding season, pairs of Blue-bellied Rollers engage in elaborate courtship flights, which include nosedives and the rolling action for which they were named.
Habitat
Almost restricted to mature Isoberlinia (a leguminous tree) woodland; also woodland in derived savanna and cultivation, burnt-over clearings in rainforest, edges of gallery forest in savanna woodland, and groves of palms near marshes and streams
Diet
Grasshoppers and other large flying insects
Status
Least Concern
Breeding
The female lays 2-4 bluish white eggs per clutch in a twig nest. The incubation period is about 20 days and both parents assist with incubation and chick rearing.









FUN FACT
Blue-billed Curassows are unique among the world’s 15 species of curassows in having a bright blue, rather than yellow, orange, or red cere or knob on their bill.
Blue-billed Curassows are large, turkey-like birds found in small, fragmented lowland habitats in Colombia. Males and females both have a fleshy blue wattle that hangs below the bill, but only the male grows a cere, or a knob, on the bill. They are primarily found on the forest floor, where they find worms, insects, fruits, and seeds, but they do roost in trees. Males have a loud, distinctive booming call that they use to attract a mate. Blue-billed Curassow young are precocial, meaning they hatch fully feathered and ready to leave the nest shortly after hatching. They stay close to home, though, for several months.
Blue-billed Curassows are Critically Endangered, with an estimated 150 to 700 individuals remaining in the wild. These birds rely on large, undisturbed tracts of humid forest in lowlands and foothills, and habitat fragmentation has led to a sharp decline for the species.
Habitat
Large undisturbed and unfragmented tracts of humid forest in lowlands and foothills
Diet
Insects, fruits, hard-coated seeds, and grit and stones to aid digestion
Status
Critically Endangered
Breeding
Male makes distinctive “booming” vocalizations in the breeding season to attract a mate. Monogamous pairs nest in January-April. The male primarily builds the nest, which is a coarse platform of large sticks lined with leaves built among dense lianas (vines) in the forest understory. A normal clutch is one or two white eggs, incubated by the female for a period approximately 30 to 32 days. Both parents care for the young after they leave the nest.









FUN FACT
The motmot’s tail is often called “racket”-like. In fact, the feathers don’t grow in that way; the bird preens away the feather barbs from this section of their tail to create this distinctive shape. Motmots are often called “clock birds” due to their interesting habit of swinging their tail from side to side like a pendulum.
Both the male and female Blue-crowned Motmot have green and blue plumage with a chestnut chest. They have a large head with a blue crown, black eye mask around red eyes, and a short serrated beak. Their most distinguishing features are their long central tail feathers that feature bare sections near the tips. These oddly shaped feathers are often twitched back and forth like the pendulum of a clock — a peculiar behavior that is typical of motmots. Their call is a repeated “mot-mot” sound, which is the source of their common name. Motmots build elaborate underground nests that they dig during the rainy season and use several months later. One of the hypothesized reasons for this time gap is to hide the evidence of their nest when they actually lay their eggs.
Habitat
Found in many different wooded habitats, including tropical rainforest, drier woodland, pine forest, taller second growth forest, agricultural hedgerows, well-forested gardens, and shade-coffee plantations
Diet
Insects and lizards; occasionally fruit
Status
Least Concern
Breeding
Blue-crowned Motmots dig tunnel nests that may reach 5-14 feet in depth with a nesting chamber at the end. The female lays 3-4 white eggs, which are incubated for 21 days. Both parents share the responsibility of caring for the young.









FUN FACT
Blue-fronted Amazons display great variation in their colors and markings, including the size of the red and yellow patches on their wings and the amount of blue and yellow on their heads. Each bird is marked differently!
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 varies widely between individual birds. Their social nature makes them popular pets, but they can be difficult to keep as pets. While they are one of the most abundant Amazon parrot species in South America, they are vulnerable to the illegal wildlife trade.
Habitat
Cerrado and Chaco scrub, savanna, palm groves, gallery forest, and subtropical woodland
Diet
Fruit or seeds of a wide variety of plants, including cactus fruit and palm seeds, also flowers of some trees and shrubs
Status
Near Threatened
Breeding
Blue-fronted Amazons nest in holes high up in trees. They generally lay three eggs, which are incubated for 23-25 days. Their young fledge after about 60 days.
FUN FACT
The Blue-grey Tanager is perhaps the most familiar of all tanagers to rural and urban inhabitants alike, and one of the most familiar of all birds in settled areas of the northern Neotropics. It can often be seen at fruit feeders.
One of the most familiar tanagers of the Neotropics, the Blue-grey Tanager ranges from Mexico south through Central and South America. This species uses a wide variety of non-forest and human-altered habitats, including cacao and coffee plantations, city parks and gardens, and second growth forest and forest edges. Typically seen in pairs, this tanager may join mixed-species flocks while foraging on arthropods and fruit. The nest is a deep cup of rootlets, moss, grass, and other materials, sometimes constructed of materials taken from other tanagers, euphonias, and flycatchers. The Blue-grey Tanager is widespread and abundant, and is not considered threatened.
Habitat
Uses a wide variety of non-forest and human-altered habitats, including cacao and coffee plantations, city parks and gardens, young to old second growth forest and forest edges, and brushy margins of rivers and lakes
Diet
Fruits, arthropods and nectar; everywhere found as pairs, but will sometimes join mixed species flocks
Status
Least Concern
Breeding
Both sexes build a nest that is a thick, deep cup of rootlets, moss, grass, and fine materials, well hidden in the fork of a leafy branch, the base of a palm frond, or even in the crevice of a building. Females incubate a clutch of 1-3 eggs for 12-14 days. Both sexes feed the chicks, which fledge after 17-18 days.









The National Aviary is home to more than 500 birds and other animals representing 150 species; some of which live in behind-the-scenes habitats. To enhance our guests’ educational experience, and with regard to individual bird preferences, different species may spend time in various public-facing habitats.
In The News
National Aviary to turn former Shady Side Academy Middle School into new conservancy thanks to local | WPXI
The National Aviary, based on the North Side of Pittsburgh, will soon embark on creating a brand new facility, thanks to a local benefactor.
Read More »New National Aviary Veterinary Care and Conservation Center to Open in Fox Chapel | Pittsburgh Magazine
What aims to be a world-class avian conservation center that will revolutionize avian veterinary care and the conservation of threatened and endangered birds around the world is taking flight in Fox Chapel.
Read More »National Aviary to receive old Shady Side Academy middle school campus by donation | MSN
Fox Chapel resident and 1962 graduate S. Kent Rockwell is working to acquire Shady Side Academy middle school and plans to have the 35-acre middle school campus donated to the Aviary via the SK Rockwell Conservancy.
Read More »National Aviary to turn former Shady Side Academy Middle School into new conservancy thanks to local philanthropist | Pittsburgh Business Times
In addition to donating the property, the SK Rockwell Conservancy plans to donate $10 million to support the programs that occur at the facility once it is open.
Read More »National Aviary to receive old Shady Side Academy middle school campus by donation | WTAE
A Pittsburgh resident and alumni of Shady Side Academy is helping the National Aviary find a new nest for its next breeding and conservation center, teaching hospital and educational space.
Read More »