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Birds

The National Zoo is home to hundreds of birds from all over the world. Since birds are an integral part of virtually every ecosystem, it's not surprising that birds are all over the Zoo, too, as residents and visitors.

Human-Modified Habitats Shape Bird Mating Patterns

A new study suggests that changes by people in suburban environments can affect the number of breeding pairs, their selection of a mate and even shape how a species evolves. more

Mad Island: Banding Begins

Every spring millions and millions of migratory birds fly non-stop across the Gulf of Mexico and make land fall at places like the TNC's Mad Island Preserve in Texas. Thanks to support from SCBI champion Helen DuBois and the Trull Foundation, the Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center (SMBC) is there to greet these tired travelers back to the United States. more

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Can't see any animals?

The animal(s) in this enclosure may have moved out of view.

Watching a flock of flamingos: There are about 60 birds in the National Zoo's flamingo flock, some of which have been living at the Zoo since 1965! They turn pink as a result of brine-shrimp in their diet, and young birds develop pink feathers between one and two years of age.

Fact Sheet

Exhibits

The majority of the Zoo's birds live in the beautiful, sanctuary-like Bird House but birds are also scattered throughout other exhibits.

Many wild birds also call the Zoo home, find out which wild birds have been seen at the National Zoo.