Widespread across parts of Europe, Africa, and Asia, the Eurasian Kestrel, or Common Kestrel, is a small, adaptable raptor, found in a great variety of habitats, including open or moderately wooded terrains with low shrubs, grasslands, steppes, and even subdesert. It may also occur in villages, towns, and even cities. The Eurasian Kestrel forages on small mammals, insects, and birds, and is able to see in ultraviolet light; this helps the birds to detect the urine trails around rodent burrows as they shine in an ultraviolet color in the sunlight. Nest sites for this species include natural ledges, holes in rock faces or trees, or old nests of other birds. Kestrels will also utilize nestboxes. This is the most common diurnal raptor throughout most of its range and is not considered threatened.

The Golden Eagle, named for the golden feathers on its nape, is a resident of the New and Old Worlds, and occurs in a wide variety of open habitats, from desert areas to the edge of the tundra, and from sea-level to high alpine mountain levels. It is one of the largest birds in North America. It generally avoids forested areas, except in the winter, and nests on cliffs, isolated trees, or other structures. The Golden Eagle forages primarily on small to medium-sized mammals. Although not considered to be globally threatened, this species is frequently a victim of shootings and poisonings. Many are killed by collision with power lines and, in certain areas, wind turbines.

The Bald Eagle is one of the most readily recognizable birds in North America. They are also one of the largest, with the biggest females reaching 13 pounds or more. And, since 1782, the Bald Eagle has been the national bird of the United States. Bald Eagles are also one of the most well known conservation success stories in the world. In the mid-20th century, Bald Eagle populations suffered a steep decline as a result of persecution, habitat loss, and the introduction of a pesticide called DDT. Large predators, like Bald Eagles, ended up with high concentrations of DDT in their bodies, affecting the birds’ ability to lay eggs with properly formed shells. By 1978, only an estimated 400 Bald Eagle pairs remained in the continental U.S.

Under the protection of the Endangered Species Act, and with reintroduction efforts and the ban of the use of DDT, Bald Eagle populations recovered. In 2007, the Bald Eagle was officially removed from the federal Endangered Species list. There are more than 200 known breeding pairs in Pennsylvania, including two nests in the greater Pittsburgh area, at the Hulton Bridge in Harmar and the Keystone Iron & Metal in Hays.

The Bald Eagles at the National Aviary sustained injuries in the wild that would limit their chances of survival in the wild. They have a comfortable home at the National Aviary where their every need is met, and they serve as ambassadors for their species.

The Crested Coua is found in drier habitats of the Afrotropical region, including coastal deciduous forest, savanna, spiny brushland, palms, and mangroves. The Crested Coua eats large insects, snails, small lizards, and occasionally other birds’ eggs, but also some berries, seeds, and fruits. These are collected at higher levels of the forest, mostly by walking along branches, gleaning food items as it goes; it often works its way up from the base of one tree, and upon reaching the top, flies down to the base of an adjacent tree and then repeats the process.

The Demoiselle Crane is an elegant and delicate-looking crane, named by Queen Marie Antoinette for its maiden-like appearance. The smallest crane species, males are slightly larger than females, but are otherwise similar in appearance, with silvery gray feathers and graceful black plumage hanging down across their chests. Demoiselle Cranes undertake an intense migration, flying over the Himalayas at elevations of more than 20,000 feet to reach their wintering grounds in India. Like other cranes, the Demoiselle Crane does a balletic dancing courtship display.

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.

The spectacular Raggiana Bird-of-Paradise is found in lowland forest, hill forest and lower montane forest, secondary growth, forest edges and patches, and even gardens in New Guinea. Eating primarily fruits and arthropods, the species is an important dispereser of mahogany and nutmeg seeds. The male Raggiana Bird-of-Paradise’s tail has two long tail wires and cinnamon-colored feathers, which can be up to three feet in length. Like other birds in this family, this is a lekking species. A lek is a common area where multiple males compete using elaborate courtship displays in order to attract the attention of a female; as many as ten adult Raggiana Birds-of-Paradise have been observed at a single lek. Traditional lek sites tend to occupy prominent positions in local topography, such as a high ridge crest. The Raggiana Bird-of-Paradise is common and widespread with no evidence of significant potential threats.