Grasslands

Grasslands Presented by Vitro Architectural Glass

The Grasslands Presented by Vitro Architectural Glass is an indoor habitat where small songbirds from around the globe 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.

Owl Finch in a natural nest

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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The National Aviary, which runs a livestream of the nest, said Carla laid the first egg around 4 a.m. on Wednesday. It's the first of up to six, though the average peregrine falcon clutch is four. 

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National Aviary’s star peregrine falcons welcome first egg of the season | WPXI

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