Location: Tropical Rainforest

A Green-winged Dove perched on a branch

The Green-winged Dove, also called the Asian Emerald Dove or the Grey-capped Emerald Dove, is found in a wide range of forest types, including rainforests, mangroves, and bamboo forests, throughout Southeast Asia. It primarily eats seeds and fallen fruits on the forest floor, but occasionally eats insects including termites and snails, and can sometimes be…

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A male Great Argus

A fabulously majestic resident of tall, dry, primary, and secondary forests of the Indo-Malayan region, the Great Argus forages solitarily for fruit, seeds, flowers, and invertebrates on the forest floor. The bird’s taxonomic and common names both derive from Argus, the hundred-eyed giant, from Greek mythology (a reference to the many eye-like spots on the…

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White-crested Laughingthrush perched on a branch

The White-crested Laughingthrush occurs in broadleaf evergreen forest and mixed deciduous forest in Southeast Asia and in the foothills of the Himalayan Mountains. It will also inhabit disturbed forests, secondary forest and gardens. This is a very social and vocal species, often foraging on the ground in groups of 6 to 20 individuals while looking…

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Venezuelan Troupial perched on a branch

The Venezuelan Troupial is the national bird of Venezuala. It is found in northern South America and several Caribbean islands. It occurs in dry woodland of acacia and tree-like cacti, but also in pastures and savanna, dry or seasonal woodlands, and sometimes old fruit plantations. The Venezuelan Troupial is omnivorous, feeding on nectar, fruits, seeds,…

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Taveta Golden Weaver perched on a branch

The Taveta Golden Weaver occurs in East African in Kenya and Tanzania. They are found in swampy lowland areas during the breeding season. Outside of the breeding season, they are found in adjacent dry bush country. They build impressive spherical nests hanging over water. The intricately weaving strips of reed leaf blades that make up…

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Superb Starling standing on a rock

Superb Starlings are dark iridescent blue on the back of their head and chest, a black face that sets off their bright white eyes, metallic blue-green back and wings, and a dark orange belly bounded by bright white under the tail and in a band across the breast. The Superb Starling occurs in open woodland,…

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Silver-beaked Tanager perched on a branch

The Silver-beaked Tanager is a striking South American tanager of brushy forest borders, overgrown clearings, second growth, and shrubs around habitations and riverbanks. Often feeding in small groups, this tanager consumes about equal proportions of arthropods and fruit. Nesting birds are sometimes found close together, and it is occasionally a cooperative breeder with helpers attending…

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Red-legged Honeycreeper perched on a branch

One look at the Red-legged Honeycreeper and it’s easy to see where it gets its name. Largest of the Cyanerpes honeycreepers at about 12 centimeters long, both male and female Red-legged Honeycreepers sport bright, candy-red legs and a long, sharp bill that’s almost as recognizable as their legs. Males in breeding plumage are a brilliant…

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Golden-crested Myna perched on a wooden stump

A native of lowland evergreen forest, deciduous and mixed woodland, open forest, and cleared areas with scattered tall trees of India and Indochina, the striking Golden-crested Myna forages for fruit and insects high in the canopy. A cavity nester, this species most frequently utilizes natural holes in trees. Although Golden-crested Mynas are often captured for…

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A Golden-breasted Starling perched on a branch

The Golden-breasted Starling is a beautifully colored bird, unmistakable and hard to miss! It inhabits the dry bush and savanna of the arid and semi-arid regions of northeastern Africa. This starling forages mainly on the ground for a variety of insects and some fruits, but termites are a favorite food. This species is a cooperative…

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A Fairy Bluebird perched on a branch

The Fairy-bluebird lives up to its name: this bird’s plumage is a deep brilliant blue. Males have glossy black feathers on the wings, chest, and tail, and the eyes of both sexes are bright red. Found in tropical forests throughout southeast Asia, the Fairy-bluebird mainly eats fruit, which it takes while perched or snatches from…

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Common Shama Thrush perched on a branch

The White-rumped Shama, also called the Common Shamma Thrush, is native to southeast Asia, India, and some Indonesian islands. This species prefers dense greenery and uses its long tail to change directions easily as it flits about in dense thickets. It has a melodious and complex song and was once thought to be a member…

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In The News

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National Aviary holds early celebration for its sloth’s Halloween ‘boo day’ | WPXI

The Aviary’s Linnaeus’s Two-toed Sloth, Valentino, was born on Halloween. But since the facility is closed on that day, the aviary celebrated his 10th “boo day” early.

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Pittsburgh’s Regional Asset District issues record preliminary budget | 90.5 WESA

In all, RAD proposes to fund 107 organizations of all sizes, from the Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium, the National Aviary, Pittsburgh Symphony and Heinz History Center to small dance and theater troupes.

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Pittsburgh conservation planting seeds for visitors and investment | Capital Analytics Associates

Pittsburgh’s conservation institutions are a growing part of the Commonwealth’s outdoor recreation economy. At the National Aviary, Executive Director Cheryl Tracy says the institution is “just getting started,” despite nearly 75 years of history.

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2nd extinct-in-wild Guam kingfisher hatches at National Aviary | CBS News

For the second time this year, a bird that's extinct in the wild hatched at the National Aviary.

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Jungle Creatures and Fantastic Features: Toucans | Phipps Conservatory

Jungle Quest invites guests on a stunning safari bursting with terrific topiary animals, tropical foliage and beautiful blooms...including some animals you can see at the Aviary!

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