Sara Hallager

As curator of birds of the Smithsonian’s National Zoo, Sara Hallager oversees the bird collection in Washington, D.C. Hallager and her team of 11 animal professionals care for a diverse and growing collection. She is responsible for the conception, goal-setting, planning, leadership and implementation of avian care on a daily basis, including bird well-being, reproductive programs, conservation programs, exhibition and interpretive public programs for the Zoo’s Bird House. Hallager began her career at the Smithsonian's National Zoo in 1984 as a volunteer and started working at the Zoo as an employee in 1987.

Stories from this author

A female ruby-throated hummingbird sips nectar from a flower.

How Do You Weigh a Hummingbird?

See Spot. He's a small ruby-throated hummingbird with a big personality. He's also super smart and has mastered scale training.

A sanderling, Aldrin, is one of the shorebirds being cared for by the Smithsonian's National Zoo's Bird House team.

Is the Secret to Saving Migratory Birds in the Meal Prep?

The Smithsonian’s National Zoo has many beaks to feed, including 23 species of migratory birds. Find out how keepers and nutritionists help individual animals stay physically fit and healthy, even as their physiology changes naturally with the seasons.

One of the common species Bird House keepers at the Smithsonian's National Zoo are working to better understand is the wood thrush — the official bird of Washington, D.C.

Continuing the Legacy of Bird Conservation

Raising awareness about the plight of migratory birds is key to their survival. The Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute is in the midst of completely transforming its beloved Bird House from its humble foundation (circa 1928) into a celebration of birds and their amazing annual journeys. Since the Bird House closed to visitors in 2018, animal keepers, nutritionists and scientists have been working behind the scenes to better understand the husbandry of native songbirds and shorebirds.