Community Science

Explore Your World with Community Science

You don’t need to be a scientist to do community science—the only requirement is your own curiosity! Community science with the National Aviary brings opportunities for families and individuals throughout southwestern Pennsylvania to engage in the scientific process and discover the natural world in their own backyard or local park. Community science is real science that uses the interest and ability of large numbers of people to make accurate observations of nature. National Aviary researchers work with community members to teach them what to look for, what information to collect, and how to record and submit their data. Community science can contribute significantly to scientific studies of birds. Projects like the Christmas Bird Count and the Great Backyard Bird Count have used the observations of community members for decades!

We invite people to help with studies of nesting backyard birds, migrating owls, and wintering hummingbirds.

Project Owlnet

Project Owlnet is a continent-wide research effort to understand the migration of Northern Saw-whet Owls.

Neighborhood Nestwatch 

The National Aviary works with dozens of families in urban, suburban, and rural areas around Pittsburgh to document the survival and reproductive success of eight common bird species.

Tracking Western Hummingbirds

The National Aviary Ornithologist Bob Mulvihill follows up on reports of unusual hummingbirds. Banding these tiny birds helps scientists understand their migration patterns.

In The News

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New African penguin arrives at National Aviary | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

A new African penguin is waddling around the National Aviary.

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National Aviary welcomes new penguin to its flock | CBS News

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- The National Aviary welcomed a new African penguin to its flock.

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The National Aviary Announces a New Member of their Flock | Association of Zoos & Aquariums

The National Aviary in Pittsburgh, Pa., has announced the arrival of its newest resident—a female Steller’s sea eagle.

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Contest to name new eagle at National Aviary underway | WPXI

If you’ve ever wanted to name an eagle, the National Aviary is giving you your chance.

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Romance in the air at the National Aviary as new Steller’s Sea Eagle arrives | CBS News

She's big, she's beautiful and she's the newest resident at Pittsburgh's National Aviary.

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