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National Aviary
A photographic trip through Pittsburgh’s National Aviary.
Six minute read & view:
Birds from around the world
A 24-hour journey to my birth town, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
And an unusually colored squirrel
(What I believe is) A leucistic Eastern Gray Squirrel on the grounds of Allegheny Commons Park, Pittsburgh, PA | 253mm, 1/250s, f/5.0, ISO 500
On the 51st anniversary of The Immaculate Reception, my friend David and I took a jaunt to Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, PA for what would become a Steelers win! with Mason Rudolph as QB no less against the Cincinnati Bengals. It was December 23, 2023. That was a great experience for one Steelers fan (and the Raiders fan with me, question mark) and was my first time attending a game since my mom was pregnant with me in fall 1975 when at the venerable Three Rivers Stadium. Apparently the stadium that would be imploded in 2001 was only five and a half years old at the time…
That morning we had time for sightseeing downtown. So we went to Pittsburgh’s Northside and visited the National Aviary, located in Allegheny Commons Park. This very cool place provides an opportunity to see and photograph over 150 species of birds. The official website notes they are “America’s only independent indoor nonprofit zoo dedicated to birds”. The honorary “National” status was enacted into law by United States Congress in 1993, and Wikipedia also tells us this is the largest aviary in the US.
Not actual Love Birds, rather two Saipan White-Eye (Zosterops saypani). Conservation Status NT | 300mm, 1/400s, f/5.6, ISO 4000
The Aviary has several indoor and outdoor habitats, most of which are viewed from inside. The indoor rooms are conditioned to approximate tropical climate and you enter through a controlled vestibule to prevent bird escape. Once in, the birds are swimming, flying, perching, and in some cases, walking around you. The rooms seemed to vary mostly by size, light level, and whether they have water pools or not. We first visited Grasslands with its many finch- to robin-sized tree perching birds. Other than a couple of single species areas, like the outdoor Eurasian Eagle-Owl and Sea Eagle enclosures, my layman’s assessment is each habitat contains birds ranging from common to rare with native habitats from the United States to South America, Australasia, and Asia. In the Wetlands, where we spent the most time, it was a bit funny to see native Hooded Mergansers, Mallard, and a Brown Pelican (who I understand had been injured and is unable to be released) alongside brightly colored birds like Scarlet Ibis, Blue-bellied Roller, and Venezuelan Troupial.
One guide told me some birds have to be relocated occassionaly to a different room if they don’t get along with another. It got me thinking about what were the designed differences in each room, and how specific are the habitat and food requirements for the different species. But it was very cool to see them all together and be among them, if not while tolerating the Hyacinth Macaw’s constant and very loud screeching. As a photographer, it did feel slightly like shooting fish in a barrel, but it was a great opportunity to see species I will otherwise never get to as well as remove one or two variables surrounding distance and perspective out of the equation which are among the biggest challenges regularly faced.
Bubba, a 26-year old Palm Cockatoo (Probosciger aterrimus) looking very stoic. He reminds me of Sam the Eagle. Conservation Status NT | 472mm, 1/400s, f/7.1, ISO 12800
A Giant Eurasian Owl (Bubo bubo) napping. He was huge! | 270mm, 1/640s, f/5.6, iso 3200
An American Flamingo (Phoenicopterus ruber) in its distinctive orange-pink plumage and unipedal stance. Conservation Status LC | 238mm, 1/1250s, f/5.0 ISO 2500
This vibrantly colored (and aptly named) Superb Starling (Lamprotornis superbus) was captivated by the lens reflection. | 343mm, 1/500s, f/5.6, ISO 12800
A beautiful and royal-looking Victoria Crowned Pigeon (Goura victoria). Conservation Status NT | 223mm, 1/400s, f/5.0, iso 10000
A bird trip wouldn’t be complete without herons. These are Boat-billed Herons (Cochlearius cochlearius). | 109mm, 1/400s, f/7.1, iso 5000
A Scissor-tailed Flycatcher (Tyrannus forficatus) | 343mm, 1/640s, f/5.6, iso 4000
One of many mustachiod-looking Inca Terns (Larosterna inca). They enjoy splashing and chasing around the water hole. | 500mm, 1/400s, f/7.1, iso 10000
A Scarlet Ibis (Eudocimus ruber) poses, and then takes a bath. His color seems to match the flamingo’s! | (right photo) 238mm, 1/3200s, f/5.0, iso 10000
This Venezuelan Troupial (Icterus icterus) is related to the Oriole, as its’ colors suggest, and are nest pirates. | 500mm, 1/500s, f/7.1, iso 800
The semi-ubiquitous Snowy Egret (Egretta thulapani) having a good, or bad, hair day. Conservation Status LC | 400mm, 1/500s, f/7.1, ISO 5000
A pair of White-throated Bee-eaters (Merops albicollis) nestle on a branch. This an African native species. | 324mm, 1/640s, f/5.6, iso 1000
A diminutive African Pygmy Goose (Nettapus auritus) preening vigorously. | 324mm, 1/400s, f/5.6, iso 10000
A Toco Toucan (Ramphastos toco). I can’t imagine having a long bill to eat my fruit with. | 100mm, 1/640s, f/5.0, iso 3200
One of a pair of Steller’s Sea Eagles (Haliaeetus pelagicus). The beak halo is due to being photographed through glass. | 254mm, 1/640s, f/5.0, iso 2500
A striking Shaft-tailed Finch (Poephila acuticauda), an Australian species. | 343mm, 1/640s, f/5.6, iso 1250
This Blue-bellied Roller (Coracias cyanogaster) seemed to be posing, from Africa. | 428mm, 1/400s, f/6.3, iso 2000
A brightly colored Red Sisken (Spinus cucullatus) in the Grassland habitat. | 400mm, 1/400s, f/6.3, iso 1250
One of two Hyacinth Macaw (Anodorhynchus hyacinthinus), the largest macaw species. They were loud! | 254mm, 1/320s, f/5.0, iso 6400
May you have a fantastic 2024 with many travel - photography - animal adventures!
Music used to create this post: Memphis, Tennessee (Roy Orbison), Une année sans lumière (Arcade Fire), Last Goodbye (Jeff Buckley), Faith I Do Believe (Rusted Root, Pittsburgh’s most famous band?), Delicate (Taylor Swift), Emily I’m Sorry (boygenius).