News

Scientists at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo detected the start of the decline in urinary progestin levels in the Zoo’s female giant panda, Mei Xiang (may-SHONG). This hormone decline indicates that Mei Xiang’s reproductive cycle will be concluding fairly soon. Animal keepers report that she has...

Eleven stingrays and two arowanas (fish) were found dead in their pool at the National Zoo’s Amazonia exhibit Monday, May 25, shortly after 7 a.m. Preliminary tests of the water from the pool showed low levels of dissolved oxygen, indicating the deaths may be due to mechanical difficulties rather...

The Smithsonian's National Zoo is pleased to announce the name of its 2 1/2-month-old female baby western lowland gorilla—Kibibi (kee-BEE-bee)—which means little lady in Swahili. More than 10,000 people voted in a public naming contest held by the Zoo and the Friends of the National Zoo. The public...

An endangered clouded leopard at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo’s Conservation and Research Center (CRC) in Front Royal, Va., gave birth to a genetically valuable litter of two cubs on Tuesday, March 24. Staff had been on pregnancy watch of the two-and-a-half year-old clouded leopard “Jao Chu” (JOW...

Toast wildlife conservation at The Smithsonian’s National Zoo’s annual wine-tasting event, “Grapes With the Apes,” April 16 from 6 to 9 p.m. Guests can sample wines from both local and national wineries and vineyards while enjoying live music and exclusive after-hours access to the Great Ape House —...

The Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Friends of the National Zoo will host the free event “Easter Monday: Celebrating the African American Family” April 13, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Since the 1890s, the Monday after Easter has been an unofficial holiday—a day of rest and recreation for many local...

The Smithsonian’s National Zoo is pleased to announce the birth of a giant anteater born yesterday, March 12, in an indoor enclosure. This is only the second giant anteater to be born in the history of the Zoo. National Zoo animal care staff and veterinarians have been closely monitoring mother...

An endangered clouded leopard at the National Zoo's Conservation and Research Center (CRC) in Front Royal, Virginia, gave birth to a genetically valuable litter of two cubs early in the morning on March 24. Staff had been on pregnancy watch of the two-and-a-half-year-old clouded leopard Jao Chu for...

Billie Jean, a three-year-old female spectacled bear, made her debut at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo. Weighing about 113 pounds and still growing, she is quite agile—climbing high in the new structures in her yard. The installation of the new climbing structures are part of the Zoo’s enrichment...

A six-month-old, male Przewalski’s horse died at the National Zoo’s Conservation and Research Center in Front Royal, Va. Friday, Jan. 30, due to a fractured neck. The cause of injury remains undetermined—staff closely observing the horse in the moments preceding its death did not notice any unusual...

The Smithsonian’s National Zoo has appointed Joseph M. Sacco associate director for education, effective Jan. 5, 2009. In his new role, Sacco will oversee all public education programs at the Zoo, including public demonstrations, curriculum enrichment for K-12 students, teacher workshops, community...

The 2009 giant panda mating season began Thursday, Jan. 15 at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo. Female Mei Xiang (may-SHONG) and male Tian Tian (tee-YEN tee-YEN) attempted to mate throughout the day Thursday. For the past six years, Mei Xiang has typically ovulated in March or April. Zoo staff...

Looking for the wildest way to celebrate Valentine's Day without breaking the bank? Attend the Smithsonian's National Zoo's friskiest and fun-filled FREE event: Woo at the Zoo Thursday, February 12. This extraordinary evening, open to both singles and sweethearts, is a light-hearted exploration into...

The Smithsonian’s National Zoo is experiencing a critical and unexpected shortage of its bamboo supply and is reaching out to local landowners and farmers who have bamboo and will allow the Zoo to harvest and manage their crop.

Yesterday, a baby western lowland gorilla was born at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo. Staff estimate the baby was born at approximately 1:45 p.m. to 26-year-old female Mandara and 16-year-old Baraka. The newborn represents the seventh successful gorilla birth for the Zoo since 1991. This is the...

If you have ever tried to capture a picture-perfect image of the National Zoo’s giant pandas or wondered how the Zoo’s photographers snap beguiling photos of animals as diverse as elephants and naked mole-rats, now is your chance to learn the tricks of the trade in a photo-challenge discussion...

Kirtland's warblers are so abundant in some parts of this ecosystem that it is hard to believe that the Kirtland's is the rarest songbird in North America, nesting almost exclusively in about 16 counties in northern Lower Michigan.

If you read Mary Deinlein's profile of the yellow-bellied sapsucker that appeared in this series in 2003, you know that we have learned a lot about the sap feeding habits of this highly specialized woodpecker. But as they say “Here is the rest of the story!” “A singular habit…and one with which all...

Hanging upside down on branches, stealing insects from the undersides of leaves, this acrobatic and gregarious bird is always a welcome sight. Though a common visitor to backyard feeders throughout the southeastern United States, we still have much to learn from this charismatic songbird. Throughout...

As soon as they step off the boat onto Santa Cruz Island, the largest of the eight California Channel Islands, a distinctive, metallic call greets visitors. This call belongs the island scrub-jay, a large, strikingly blue bird with a whitish-gray breast and a prominent black bill.

The rock pigeon is the official English name for our common city pigeon. It is as noble as any animal when you view it in its proper place.

The game of survival is all about carving out your niche and being successful in it. Within the natural world, few birds play this game better than the American dipper (Cinclus mexicanus).

To many bird enthusiasts, the white-throated sparrow is just an "average Joe." In fact, I suspect that few birders living in Canada and the eastern United States have celebrated the long-awaited addition of the white-throated sparrow to their life lists.

Few birds are so easily identified in flight as a crow, cutting a sharp, sleek image against the sky or a woodland edge with powerful, deliberate wing beats and black form.

The Baltimore oriole is perhaps the most famous neotropical migratory bird. Its brilliant orange and black plumage is reminiscent of the crest of Lord Baltimore, an important figure in Maryland's history, and the bird has become the mascot of the Baltimore Orioles baseball team.