In New York, you can spot many iconic birds starting from American Robin to Blue Jays. If you are an ornithologist or an active bird watcher, then you can easily spot 16 common birds out of the large variety that resides here. There are more than 500 species of birds and bird-watchers usually flock to Central Park to watch these fascinating avian varieties.
So, let’s get to know the characteristics of the birds, their habits, and physical appearances so that a bird enthusiast can easily spot them.
American Robin
The American Robin is the most popular bird in New York and can be easily spotted in areas around. They are seen flying around the harbor area, during the spring and summer months. The best place to spot them is along the East River in Manhattan and along the West River in Brooklyn. These birds build nests in trees and on building ledges in the parks. They also build nests on the ledges and top of roofs. These birds are 12 to 16″‘ inches in length and they weigh 72 to 95 grams. They feed on fruits, berries, and a variety of insects, such as earthworms, beetles, and caterpillars. they can be easily spotted from their distinctive brown color on the back, yellow bill, and orange colored breast
American Crow
American Crows are quite common in New York and are found to be in great numbers across the urban region of the United States. These birds are mostly spotted in urban settings, backyards, and in trees. They use old buildings or barns as their nesting place. These birds can be spotted either sitting near the tree or nestling on top of the house. At night, they are seen to roost on fences, poles, and shrubs. These 16 to 21-inch length birds, weighing 315 to 620 grams have a distinctive black color. They mostly feed on carrions and invertebrates. seeds, eggs, grains, mice, frogs, and many small animals.
Blue Jay
Blue Jays are found in the Central and Eastern United States and they are seasonal migrators. They migrate in March and April, and there is also a shift in pattern at every latitude of North America. At first, they move east and then they travel west. You can easily spot them at your backyard bird feeder, mostly during the late fall or early winter months. They also have a brilliant blue coloration and are easy to recognize. They have a blue crest on the head and they have a white face and belly. These 8 to 12 ” inches long birds, weighing 70 to 100 grams feed on nuts, seeds, caterpillars, grasshoppers, and beetles.
Black-capped Chickadee
Black-capped chickadees are one of the most beautiful birds found along the Hudson River in New York state. They are small and have their origin back in the 1980s. They stay here from June to November and then they migrate. If you have patience and determination, these birds can be easily spotted due to their black cap, white face, and white or reddish brown flanks. These 11.5 to 16 cm length birds, weighing 8 to 15 grams feed on insects, berries, and seeds.
Northern Cardinal
Northern Cardinal can be found in many parts of the North American continent and this includes Alaska and Canada. you can spot them in New York and they also visit New England during winter months and migrate south by the end of September in search of a warmer climate. you can easily distinguish them from their red feathers and a black mask on their face. These 8.2 to 9.3″ inches birds weigh 33 to 65 grams and they feed on fruits, berries, and different types of insects such as grasshoppers, snails, cicadas, and beetles.
American Goldfinch
American Goldfinches are quite popular among tourists in New York. They are very common and easily stopped on the roadside, grasslands, gardens, thickets, and across the city. They are easy to find due to the yellow face, neck, and underside. These small bright finches are 5 inches in length and 0.46 ounces in weight. They have black wings and white bars. These birds feed on grass, dandelions, sunflowers, chickweed, ragweed, birch, and more.
Song Sparrow
Song Sparrow is mostly found in the eastern United States and along the coasts of Central and South America. They are very much social birds and they are seen in large groups where they choose to mate and nest. There are certain species of birds, which live in the burrow and others live in colonies or shared burrows. These birds are migratory and quite active. They can be easily distinguished from the grey head, black rib, and white cheek with rufous neck. These birds are 5.5 to 7″ inches in length and weigh 25 to 40 grams. They have different food sources, such as grains, seeds, insects, worms, and berries.
European Starling
European Starlings are quite commonly spotted in the United States and they are also known as Blue Starlings. they use their feet to fly overland and to grasp onto the submerged leaves and branches, they use their beak. These birds can be easily distinguished by their black and glossy green plumage. There is also purple iridescent plumage and they have a yellow beak. These 7 to 9″ inches long birds with 60 to 100 grams eat a variety of insects such as ants, beetles, and invertebrates. They also feed on seeds, fruits, and berries.
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Red-bellied Woodpeckers are mostly found in Central Park and nest in the tree trunk. They usually choose a tree that is small or areas where hollowed-out logs can be found, previously some other species used to live here. alongside, they also build nests in shrubs, plants, and above the ground. This bird is known to be the rarest species in New York City. They can be easily spotted around tall buildings, parks, and a few other locations are also there where these birds can be easily spotted, they live close to Central Park and can be easily spotted from their grey body, faces, and underparts. They also have black, and white patterned necks. These 9 to 10.6″ inches long birds, weigh 56 to 91 grams, and feed on small insects, fished. tree frogs and even eggs of small birds.
Mourning Dove
The Mourning Dove is also known as the rain bird or the turtle bird. They can be easily spotted in the USA, Canada, Mexico, and Central America, even during the winter, when they appear to be quite colorful. But during the spring, they can be marked as large eyes and bills. They are quite active and can be found near ponds, coves, and even around the trees. These birds are light grey-brown and they have a light pick below. their wings are spotted with black and they have a small dark bill. These 112 to 170-gram-weighing birds, 12″ in length, are quite active. They mostly feed on corn, millet, safflower, sunflower, and sesame. wheat and seeds.
Downy Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker is a very common bird found in the United States, they are also spotted in Canada, Mexico, and the roadside, backyards, parks, or grassland, these birds build their own nest in different shrubs, such as oaks, spires, Douglas fir and more. These birds can be easily distinguished from the black and white throat with the same colored belly and back, they also have spots on the wings. These birds are 5.5 to 7.1″ inches in length and they weigh 20 to 33 grams. These birds feed on insects such as ants, beetles, gall wasps, caterpillars, and more.
White-breasted Nuthatch
White-breasted Nuthatch was introduced to the United States in the 1800s and this bird is native to Europe. They can be spotted in the urban setting of New York and are seen to nest in small shrubs present on the roadsides. They are also seen to build their nest on the roof of buildings or in hollowed-out trees. These birds can be easily distinguished by their white face, flanks, and chest. you can find a bluish-grey color on the upper side and a brown lower belly. Also, these 5.9″ inches length birds, with 20 gms in weight have a black cap which makes them recognizable. These birds mostly feed on urban waste and along with that their diet also consists of acorn nuts, hickory nuts, ants, scale insects, caterpillars, and pine weevils.
Tufted Titmouse
Tufted Titmouse are spotted in central and southern parts of North America and they have varied habitats, such as forested areas, coastal areas, and grassland. These are small beautiful birds that are quite commonly spotted in New York. These birds are distinguished by their grey upper body with white chest and belly. You can also find a tufted grey crest on the head of these 5.5 to 6.4 ” inches birds, weighing 18 to 26 grams. These birds feed on nuts, berries, insects, seeds, and small fruits. They also eat snails to gain their daily nutrients.
Dark-eyed Junco
Dark-eyed Junco is quite prominently visible in the temperate region of North America and also in central parts of the United States. They have a wide range of occupancy and also the breeding range is within 200 miles of the equator. You can also spot them near the tropical and subtropical islands of the Amazon River basin. They have a lifespan of 14 years and most of the time they are seen in the southern part of the United States and then they return south. They can be easily distinguished from the grey neck, breast, and head, and they have a grey and brown combination of back and wing, along with a white underside. These birds are 5.1 to 6.9″ inches in length and they weigh 18 to 30 grams. They feed on seeds, insects, and arthropods.
Gray Catbird
Gray Catbirds are predominant in North America and Central America and they spend most of their time in trees. You can also find these medium-sized birds in grasslands, woodlands, and deserts. They are known to be great fliers and can adapt to various weather conditions. They breed during the spring and become sedentary in summer and they are found to nest only in tall trees which are close to water bodies. These birds are 8 to 9.5″ inches long, weigh 23 to 57 grams, and have a black tail and head with a grey body. They have white accents on the body which make them recognizable. These birds feed on seeds, carrions, insects, and other small animals.
Canada Goose
Canada Goose is predominant in Alaska, Canada, and most parts of the USA. You can easily spot them near grassy areas and farm fields, near the water. They can be easily distinguished from their greyish-brown color and long black neck. They have a black head, white throat, and cheek. These large birds have pale barring, white bellies, and undertails, with a short black and white tail. Both the male and female versions are similar and they both have a strong direct flight. These 35 to 45.2 inches long birds, weighing 5.29 to 19.8 pounds are seen to feed on grass, sedges, and vegetation that includes grain and berries.
Which is the Most Common Bird Spotted in New York?
Blue Jays are the most common bird spotted in New York. They have a frequency of 44% occurrence and range from Alaska to Florida and extend to Canada.
Which are the Little Birds of New York?
The sparrows are known to be the little birds of New York and are mostly spotted in North America however they have their origin in Europe.
Which are the Most Rare Birds in New York?
The rarest birds in New York are – Anhinga, Roseate Spoonbill, Limpkin, and Painted Bunting.
