A very common dabbling duck of the Nearctic region, and introduced elsewhere where it is sometimes considered an invasive pest, the Mallard occurs on almost any body of shallow water, but especially those with submerged or floating vegetation. In the breeding season the Mallard eats mostly animal foods such as aquatic insect larvae and snails, but at other times of year they favor seeds, aquatic vegetation, and cereal crops. The Mallard usually nests near water but on the ground  in upland areas, with the nest hidden under overhanging vegetation.

The Marbled Teal is a duck of the Mediterranean region, particularly fond of shallow brackish and freshwater pools with abundant emergent vegetation. This is an omnivorous dabbling duck, eating seeds, roots, tubers, and green parts of aquatic plants, as well as aquatic invertebrates like midge larvae. The Marbled Teal is threatened by over-hunting, and by climate change which is causing droughts in an already arid region, reducing the shallow marshes that this duck depends on.

The Mariana Fruit-Dove is a beautiful bird from the Pacific islands. This species is found in various types of forested habitat, but prefers mature native forest where it typically feeds on fruits in the canopy, but may descend to feed in bushes, or even on the ground. They are a secretive species, rarely spotted, and nearly always solitary. The Mariana Fruit-dove has been extirpated (locally no longer present) from Guam and is threatened on Saipan by the introduced brown tree-snake.

In 2020, the National Aviary welcomed its first ever Mariana Fruit-Dove fledgling! The hatching of this beautiful little chick is an important step for securing a brighter future for Mariana Fruit-Doves.

A large and powerful eagle of Africa, the Martial Eagle is found in sparse woodlands and other open habitats such as steppes, savannas, and shrublands. Martial Eagles are extremely powerful predators, feeding on medium-sized vertebrates which they catch after stooping from a high soar. Martial Eagles build large stick nests in the fork of a tree, and their young often stay with their parents for an entire year. Despite generally avoiding settled areas, this species is rapidly declining due to poisoning and shooting, habitat loss, and pollution, as well as collisions and electrocution associated with power lines.

The Masked Bobwhite is a member of the New World quail family. A subspecies of the Northern Bobwhite, the Masked Bobwhite is distinguished primarily by the male’s striking appearance—it has a mostly un-patterned black head and throat and rich cinnamon-colored underparts.  Female Masked Bobwhites are very similar to females of the other subspecies.  Masked Bobwhites have a very restricted range including only a few locations in extreme southern Arizona and central Sonora, Mexico.  These populations were historically very vulnerable to overgrazing, habitat fragmentation, and drought. Today, only about 200 Masked Bobwhites live in the wild, but an active captive breeding and release program is helping Masked Bobwhites raised in human care to begin to repopulate their scrubby grassland habitat.  Masked Bobwhites have a very short nesting season because they will breed only when humidity is high, and this occurs naturally only in association with the seasonal monsoon rains.

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 diet of fruit and seeds, it has also been observed eating the flowers of some trees and shrubs. This parrot is considered an agricultural pest because of the damage it can do to ripening food crops. Meyer’s Parrot populations are stable, given their large population and their wide range.

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 humans cannot. They can fly distances of 15 miles each day to feed on a variety of palm nuts, seeds, and figs. Like Hyacinth Macaws, Military Macaws will lick clay to detoxify poisonous substances in their diets. Despite the extensive range of this macaw, their populations are isolated by fragmented habitat, and local losses of populations are likely due to the illegal pet trade. Habitat loss continues to impact populations of the Military Macaw.

Native to northern and eastern Australia, as well as parts of New Guinea, New Guinea Blue-tongued Skinks are one of the largest skink species (measuring up to 24 inches long!). They have robust, stocky bodies, a triangular head, and sturdy limbs that are adapted for both climbing and burrowing. They are adorned with a mix of brown, gray, and orange scales that provide camouflage in their natural habitat.

In the wild, they are diurnal, meaning they are active during the day and night. During colder months, these skinks may enter a state of brumation, a hibernation-like period where their metabolism slows down significantly.

These skinks are omnivorous, feeding on various plants, insects, and even small animals.  

The closest living relative to the now extinct Dodo, the Nicobar Pigeon occurs only on small wooded, often uninhabited islands of the Indo-Malayan region, where it favors lowland habitats such as mangroves, scrub, and lowland and foothill forests. It may also occur in some forests which have been selectively logged. This species nests colonially, with sometimes several nests being placed in a single tree. Like other pigeons, the Nicobar feeds primarily on fallen fruits and seeds on the ground. A gizzard stone that is contained in the Nicobar Pigeon’s stomach helps the bird to grind up hard food items. When Nicobar pigeons drink they submerge their beak and suck up water, instead of sipping as other birds do.

Like other bee-eaters, the Northern Carmine Bee-eater sports rich, bold plumage. They are predominantly a vivid red (hence “carmine”) hue, with a green-blue head and throat and black mask. Their elongated central tailfeathers aid in their aerial hunting tactics. Similar to a boat rudder, which increases steering and balance, these uniquely adapted tailfeathers increase agility and support the quick, sharp turns needed to hunt fast-flying insects. Notably, juveniles don’t develop these tailfeathers until they reach full maturity. 

Northern White-faced Owls stand at about ten inches tall, comparable in size to Eastern Screech-Owls. They are distinguished by their prominent ear tufts and a striking white facial disc outlined by a thick black border. The body of the Northern White-Faced Owl is predominantly light gray-brown, adorned with delicate streaks and vermiculation’s – or markings resembling the tracks of worms. Their eyes, a mesmerizing feature, range from deep amber-yellow to a deep orange hue and have a “wuh-wuuuu” call; the first note is short while the second is drawn out and repeated every few seconds. 

When faced with a threat, these owls can either flare open its wings and puff up to appear larger, or it can compress its feathers, elongate its body, and narrow its eyes to thin slits, making it appear inanimate. This behavior is why the Northern White-faced Owl is sometimes referred to as the “Transformer” Owl. It is an interesting adaptation that allows the owl to blend into its surroundings and avoid being detected by predators.

The Owl Finch, or Double-barred Finch, is a handsome bird from northern and eastern Australia, where it is found in open grassy woodlands, scrublands, forest edge, and grassy vegetation along larger watercourses, as well as more anthropogenic habitats such as cane fields, roadsides, and parks and gardens. Like similar finches, the Owl Finch feeds of grasses and forbs on the ground, but will take more insects during the breeding season. The nest of this finch is a ball with a side entrance, made from grass, lined with soft grasses or feathers, and placed in a bush or small tree. Despite its popularity as a cage bird, the Owl Finch is not threatened.