Conservation Stories

Valentino: The Condor that Could Only nine rehabilitated condors have ever been able to return to their natural habitat. Valentino is now one of them, and his amazing story is part of larger National Aviary Condor Conservation efforts at home and abroad. April has been a busy month in Andean Condor developments. In early April…

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Countdown to Extinction web graphic featuring an image of a juvenile African Penguin fading into an image of wild African Penguins.

Countdown to Extinction: One Decade to Save African Penguins Ten years. Ten years is all that likely stands between the African Penguin becoming functionally Extinct-in-the-Wild. African Penguin numbers in South Africa are continuing to plummet, with fewer than 3% of their population remaining – the equivalent of 9,000 pairs. The current plight of this dwindling…

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African Penguins in South Africa using artificial nest burrow

Nesting in Namibia The rapid decline of wild African Penguins and the National Aviary’s conservation work to help here in Pittsburgh and on the African continent they call home. Fewer than 10,000 African Penguin pairs remain in South Africa and Namibia. In 2021, there were more than 50,000 individual penguins recorded. That’s why, in October…

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A Eurasian Eagle-Owl chick gently being fed by an Aviary expert fades into an adult image of the same bird sitting amongst greenery and foliage.

Protecting Their Future: Conservation Stories of the National Aviary Proactive Conservation: Eurasian Eagle-Owls The National Aviary’s unwavering commitment to avian conservation is shown through our efforts to safeguard species. From slowing the rapid decline of the Least Concern Eurasian Eagle-Owl to the Extinct in the Wild Guam Kingfisher, our vital work makes a meaningful contribution…

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Andean Condors Marijo and Illimani in the left photo which fades to the right photo of two African Penguin chicks

Stronger Together: Saving Species One Hatchling at a Time The National Aviary remains committed to saving Critically Endangered and threatened species like the African Penguin and the Andean Condor. A Penguin Pair Back in November, we excitedly announced the arrival of two African Penguin chicks from Patrick and her mate, Owen. This sibling pair is…

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National Aviary African Penguin Pair Patrick (female) and Owen have hatched a duo of African Penguin chicks!

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One of the ways in which zoos like the National Aviary conserve species is by working tirelessly behind-the-scenes to help ensure an increase of healthy populations for a variety of threatened bird species. Your help today can make this work possible.

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Did you know that when you’re watching the African Penguin colony splash and swim about in the National Aviary’s Penguin Point, you’re having a positive effect on African Penguins living on the other side of the world?! Native to South Africa and Namibia, these charming feathered friends face a challenging future. With only 10,400 pairs…

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illustration of birds

The National Aviary, along with Project Principalis, is delighted to announce that we have made available to the public the results to date of our search for the Ivory-billed Woodpecker. A paper titled, “Multiple lines of evidence indicate survival of the Ivory-billed Woodpecker in Louisiana” co-authored by Steven Latta, Mark Michaels, and eight other Project…

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A Bridled white-eye perched on a tree branch

Meet Tasi, a tiny bird with a bubbly personality. Tasi is a Saipan White-eye, also known as a Bridled White-eye, a Critically Endangered species native to the Northern Mariana Islands. This species is threatened by the encroaching presence of an invasive snake–the same invasive snake species that ravaged the populations of Guam’s native birds, including…

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Jenny Owens and staff and volunteers of VulPro

When the call came in that a concerned South African citizen had found two vultures down on the ground, unable to take off, Jenny Walsh sprang into action. As the birds were brought in, Jenny looked them over, assessing for injuries. One bird was very thin—she observed its lack of coordination while walking. A blood…

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Stanley and Dottie cuddling together

How the Aviary’s expert team, and a loving mate, helped one African Penguin recover from a long illness.

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In The News

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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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Uncover Mystical “Creatures” and Meet the Bird Species who Inspired them during Forests this fall, ONLY at the National Aviary! | National Aviary

Journey throughout Forests Presented by Peoples, the Aviary’s new fall theme; learn more about the otherworldly species who inhabit these magical woodland areas.

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