Location: Behind the Scenes

Silver Gull standing on a rock

The Silver Gull is the most common gull found in Australia. It is most common in coastal areas but can be found throughout the continent. They use a variety of habitats, from sandy and rocky shores to garbage dumps, and breed on small islands. Their diet is as varied as their habitats. The Silver Gull…

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Lanner Falcon side profile

Lanner Falcons are strong, stocky birds with long wings and a relatively short tail, very similar to the North American Peregrine Falcon. Males and females of this species tend to look the same, but females are slightly larger. Lanner Falcons have been used in the sport of falconry for centuries, and are prized for their…

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A Martial Eagle flying

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…

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Bald Eagle perched on a branch

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…

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Gray crowned crane

Native to East Africa, the Gray Crowned-Crane is featured on Uganda’s coat of arms and flag and is the country’s national bird; this bird also is a sacred symbol for Kenya, Namibia, Zambia and South Africa. The Gray Crowned-Crane is unique among the cranes in being one of only two species capable of perching in…

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Willy walking through straw and pebbles that mimic his natural habitat

Southern Three-banded Armadillos are one of the mammal species living at the National Aviary. They are among the smaller of the armadillo species, and are native to grassy areas and forests throughout Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, and Paraguay. Armadillos have very acute senses of hearing and smell, which helps them to find termites and ants and…

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In The News

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4 peregrine falcon chicks banded at Pitt’s Cathedral of Learning | CBS News

Viewers of the National Aviary's FalconCam have been watching parents Carla and Ecco raise the chicks since the start of the season, and it's the third year their offspring have been banded.

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4 Cathedral of Learning peregrine falcon chicks banded by game commission | WPXI

Four chicks of the peregrine falcon pair Carla and Ecco were banded Wednesday morning at the Cathedral of Learning on the University of Pittsburgh’s campus.

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Do Animals Enjoy Music? Zoömusicology Has Surprising Answers (Ft. National Aviary Ornithologist Bob Mulvihill) | Yahoo News

Bob Mulvihill, Lead Ornithologist at the National Aviary, also explains how music affects birds.

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USPS Bald Eagle Stamps | United States Postal Service

U.S. Postal Service released a set of stamps honoring our national bird, the bald eagle, at the National Eagle Center.

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How to attract orioles to your yard this spring | National Geographic

These songbirds have a conspicuous sweet tooth—but experts say putting out oranges and other fruits isn't the only way to turn your backyard into an oriole hotspot.

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