Birds
The aviary is home to more than 600 birds of more than 200 species, many of which are threatened or endangered in the wild. It has one of the most diverse collections in North America (exceeding, for example, the National Zoo in Washington, D.C. and the Niagara Falls Aviary).
As a result, the aviary has many species that are rarely found in other zoos or aviaries, for example, Bare-necked Fruitcrows, Paradise Tanagers, Green-backed Trogon, Scarlet-headed Blackbird, Blue-crowned Laughingthrush, Blue-winged Mountain Tanager, Pompadour Cotinga, Blue-necked Tanager, and Lesser Green Broadbill.
Among the most popular residents are Benito the Hyacinth Macaw and his roommate, Killer the Green-winged Macaw. Both are trained, and perform at occasional educational exhibitions. The aviary has also had success in breeding; its Spectacled Owls had their first chick, named Franklin (after Benjamin Franklin), who hatched in September 2006. Franklin can be seen in one of the aviary's exhibits.
The National Aviary also takes part in breeding programs designed to increase the numbers of endangered birds in captivity including the Bali Mynah (nearly extinct in the wild), the Micronesian Kingfisher, and the African Penguin. Its first two African Penguin chicks hatched in February 2012.
Read more about this topic: National Aviary
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