dBird at 10: Taking Flight as a National Community-Science Tool

Carol Peace Robins, Publications Committee | May 5, 2025
What began as a class project has grown into a national community-science platform. dBird, launched by NYC Bird Alliance in 2014, is an online crowd-sourcing tool that collects data on when and where collisions occur, now inspiring bird-safe actions across the country.
What began as a class project has grown into a national community-science platform. dBird, launched by NYC Bird Alliance in 2014, is an online crowd-sourcing tool that collects data on when and where collisions occur, now inspiring bird-safe actions across the country.
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Bird-Friendly Davis Center Opens in Central Park

Suzanne Charlé, Publications Committee | May 5, 2025
In April 2025, Central Park Conservancy unveiled the new Davis Center by the North Woods and Harlem Meer. The new environmentally conscious community center features bird-safe glass, a native plant green roof, and year-round programming in partnership with local non-profits, including NYC Bird Alliance.
In April 2025, Central Park Conservancy unveiled the new Davis Center by the North Woods and Harlem Meer. The new environmentally conscious community center features bird-safe glass, a native plant green roof, and year-round programming in partnership with local non-profits, including NYC Bird Alliance.
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What's behind the egg shortage? American Oystercatchers in the Rockaways
category: CONSERVATIONGENERAL

Matthew Kleiner, Contributing Writer | May 1, 2025
When Emilio Tobón, NYC Bird Alliance’s Conservation Field Biologist, began monitoring American Oystercatchers on the Rockaways in 2011, the colony was in good health. The next 10 years, however, brought concerning developments as nests began to fail. Now with a camera trap network of 25 cameras monitoring over 40 nests, NYC Bird Alliance has determined that predation is a critical threat.
When Emilio Tobón, NYC Bird Alliance’s Conservation Field Biologist, began monitoring American Oystercatchers on the Rockaways in 2011, the colony was in good health. The next 10 years, however, brought concerning developments as nests began to fail. Now with a camera trap network of 25 cameras monitoring over 40 nests, NYC Bird Alliance has determined that predation is a critical threat.
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The Black-Crowned Night Heron Could Vanish

Tod Winston, Urban Biodiversity Specialist | February 25, 2025
The Black-crowned Night Heron is one of our most exciting residents. However, according to our recent analysis of over four decades of research data, it may disappear entirely from the harbor as soon as 2035.
The Black-crowned Night Heron is one of our most exciting residents. However, according to our recent analysis of over four decades of research data, it may disappear entirely from the harbor as soon as 2035.
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BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT HERON (Nycticorax nycticorax)
category: CONSERVATIONGENERALURBAN BIRD CALL

Kellye Rosenheim | February 25, 2025
These birds are quintessential New Yorkers.
These birds are quintessential New Yorkers.
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President's Perch: Our work is more critical than ever
category: CONSERVATIONGENERALURBAN BIRD CALL

Mike Yuan, NYC Bird Alliance Board President | February 25, 2025
Whether people seek them or stumble upon them by chance, Black-Crowned Night Herons are a source of delight. However, as we confront climate change, their presence is not guaranteed.
Whether people seek them or stumble upon them by chance, Black-Crowned Night Herons are a source of delight. However, as we confront climate change, their presence is not guaranteed.
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A Tribute to Marie Winn
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Rebekah Creshkoff, NYC Bird Alliance Advisory Council | January 31, 2025
Writer and journalist Marie Winn passed away on December 25, 2024, at the age of 88. Her articles and a book about Pale Male, the City’s first resident Red-tailed Hawk, inspired a generation of wildlife advocates.
Writer and journalist Marie Winn passed away on December 25, 2024, at the age of 88. Her articles and a book about Pale Male, the City’s first resident Red-tailed Hawk, inspired a generation of wildlife advocates.
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How the New Green Roof Tax Abatement Program Can Combat Climate Change in NYC
category: CONSERVATIONGENERALADVOCACY

Jesse McLaughlin, Senior Associate, Advocacy | October 8, 2024
Why does our city get so hot? The Green Roof Tax Abatement is a solution not just for climate change, but for environmental justice.
Why does our city get so hot? The Green Roof Tax Abatement is a solution not just for climate change, but for environmental justice.
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Tribute in Light 2024 Recap: Ensuring Safe Passage for Birds
category: CONSERVATIONGENERALADVOCACY

Katherine Chen, Senior Manager of Community Science & Collision Reduction | October 8, 2024
Since 2002, NYC Bird Alliance has partnered with the September 11 Memorial & Museum to ensure that the annual Tribute in Light can honor lives while also keeping birds safe. As with every year, in 2024 our scientists monitored the Tribute from sunset to sunrise, shutting off the lights three times to ensure safe passage for migrating birds.
Since 2002, NYC Bird Alliance has partnered with the September 11 Memorial & Museum to ensure that the annual Tribute in Light can honor lives while also keeping birds safe. As with every year, in 2024 our scientists monitored the Tribute from sunset to sunrise, shutting off the lights three times to ensure safe passage for migrating birds.
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Bird Collisions: The Impact of "One"

Hillarie O'Toole | August 7, 2024
The numbers tell a grim story: over one billion birds die each year in the US due to building collisions. But it is through individual stories that we can begin to understand the “butterfly” effect that the loss of just one bird can have on the ecological community. Just one White-throated Sparrow's death has an effect on the environment.
The numbers tell a grim story: over one billion birds die each year in the US due to building collisions. But it is through individual stories that we can begin to understand the “butterfly” effect that the loss of just one bird can have on the ecological community. Just one White-throated Sparrow's death has an effect on the environment.
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New Study Confirms Building Collisions Kill Over One Billion Birds Annually in U.S.
category: CONSERVATION

Andrew Maas, Director of Marketing and Communications | August 7, 2024
A groundbreaking research study published in PLOS ONE today has uncovered alarming new evidence that building collisions are killing significantly more birds than previously estimated—well over one billion annually in the United States alone.
A groundbreaking research study published in PLOS ONE today has uncovered alarming new evidence that building collisions are killing significantly more birds than previously estimated—well over one billion annually in the United States alone.
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American Kestrel (Falco Sparverius)
category: CONSERVATIONGENERALURBAN BIRD CALL
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Andrew Maas, Director of Marketing and Communications | June 21, 2024
As I sit at my desk during a work-from-home day, I hear the unmistakable call—"klee klee klee!"
As I sit at my desk during a work-from-home day, I hear the unmistakable call—"klee klee klee!"
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Islands in the Sky—Growing NYC’s Green Infrastructure
category: CONSERVATIONGENERALURBAN BIRD CALL

Olivia Liang | June 21, 2024
While some see New York as a collection of skyscrapers and concrete, in truth it is a biodiversity hotspot with growing, vital green space.
While some see New York as a collection of skyscrapers and concrete, in truth it is a biodiversity hotspot with growing, vital green space.
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Riverside Park Conservancy Completes Bird-Friendly Retrofit
category: CONSERVATIONGENERALADVOCACY
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NYC Bird Alliance and Riverside Park Conservancy | April 8, 2024
In March 2024, Riverside Park Conservancy completed a bird-friendly retrofit of their Peter Jay Sharp Volunteer House, in partnership with a NYC Bird Alliance consultation.
In March 2024, Riverside Park Conservancy completed a bird-friendly retrofit of their Peter Jay Sharp Volunteer House, in partnership with a NYC Bird Alliance consultation.
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How Can Weather Forecasts Help Us Save Birds?
category: CONSERVATIONGENERALURBAN BIRD CALL
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Sara Kross, PhD, Katherine Chen (NYC Bird Alliance Community Science and Outreach Manager), and Benjamin Van Doren, PhD | March 6, 2024
Migration is a particularly dangerous journey, and it’s estimated that collisions with windows kill up to one billion birds across North America annually. NYC Bird Alliance scientists and partners have focused on this problem for decades. Now, new research on weather’s impact can make solutions more effective.
Migration is a particularly dangerous journey, and it’s estimated that collisions with windows kill up to one billion birds across North America annually. NYC Bird Alliance scientists and partners have focused on this problem for decades. Now, new research on weather’s impact can make solutions more effective.
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A Tale of Two Egrets

Don Riepe | March 6, 2024
For most of my life, I lived happily at Broad Channel, Queens, with the birds outside. Until 15 years ago, when the birds started coming inside. As I sat on my dock in 2009 looking out at Jamaica Bay, a beautiful white Great Egret landed at my house and soon, my new friend Egor the egret would stop by nearly every day for a snack.
For most of my life, I lived happily at Broad Channel, Queens, with the birds outside. Until 15 years ago, when the birds started coming inside. As I sat on my dock in 2009 looking out at Jamaica Bay, a beautiful white Great Egret landed at my house and soon, my new friend Egor the egret would stop by nearly every day for a snack.
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2023 Christmas Bird Count Soars to New Heights

Carol Peace Robins | March 5, 2024
The 124th Annual Christmas Bird Count, which took place on December 17, 2023, was a historic one for NYC Bird Alliance. Not only did we have a record 400 registered volunteer counters, but for the first time in the Count's history, a green roof was included in the festivities. Carol Peace Robins recounts the historic day at Hudson Yards.
The 124th Annual Christmas Bird Count, which took place on December 17, 2023, was a historic one for NYC Bird Alliance. Not only did we have a record 400 registered volunteer counters, but for the first time in the Count's history, a green roof was included in the festivities. Carol Peace Robins recounts the historic day at Hudson Yards.
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Study Shows How Weather, Migration Intensity Affect Bird Collisions in New York City
category: CONSERVATIONENGAGEMENTADVOCACY

Up to a quarter million birds die annually from crashing into New York City’s buildings due to light pollution and reflective or clear glass. A new study in the Journal of Applied Ecology found that weather forecasts and bird migration intensity data can be used together to predict the days of greatest bird collision risk in New York City.
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2023 Harbor Herons Report: A Q&A
category: CONSERVATIONGENERALADVOCACY

Olivia Liang | January 8, 2024
NYC Bird Alliance’s annual Harbor Herons Nesting Survey has monitored and protected these birds since 1982. To get a behind-the-scenes look at this year’s data collection, NYC Bird Alliance sat down with Tod Winston, our Urban Biodiversity Specialist and creator of the 2023 State of the Harbor Herons, and Dr. Shannon Curley, PhD, our Harbor Herons Nesting Survey Coordinator.
NYC Bird Alliance’s annual Harbor Herons Nesting Survey has monitored and protected these birds since 1982. To get a behind-the-scenes look at this year’s data collection, NYC Bird Alliance sat down with Tod Winston, our Urban Biodiversity Specialist and creator of the 2023 State of the Harbor Herons, and Dr. Shannon Curley, PhD, our Harbor Herons Nesting Survey Coordinator.
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Syrinx Spotlight: PSF Volunteer, Photographer & High-School Senior Winston Qin
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Olivia Liang | December 4, 2023
Winston Qin is a gifted photographer, an aspiring engineer, a lifelong bird enthusiast, a Project Safe Flight volunteer… and a high school senior. Meet this exceptional teenager devoted to protecting our City’s wild birds.
Winston Qin is a gifted photographer, an aspiring engineer, a lifelong bird enthusiast, a Project Safe Flight volunteer… and a high school senior. Meet this exceptional teenager devoted to protecting our City’s wild birds.
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NYC Bird Alliance's Birdy Holiday Gift Guide
category: CONSERVATIONGENERALENGAGEMENT

NYC Bird Alliance Staff | December 1, 2023
The holiday season is here and the NYC Bird Alliance staff has put together our best and birdiest list of gift recommendations! We have 15 amazing recommendations that are sure to win over the cheery cardinals, weird ducks, and even the grumpy grackles of your life. Happy holidays and happy birding!
The holiday season is here and the NYC Bird Alliance staff has put together our best and birdiest list of gift recommendations! We have 15 amazing recommendations that are sure to win over the cheery cardinals, weird ducks, and even the grumpy grackles of your life. Happy holidays and happy birding!
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Small Wins. Big Impact.
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Olivia Liang | November 10, 2023
"We understand that the New York we’re in today is not the New York we all grew up in. What is our responsibility?"
A Q&A with NYC Bird Alliance’s new Director of Advocacy and Engagement, Saman Mahmood.
A Q&A with NYC Bird Alliance’s new Director of Advocacy and Engagement, Saman Mahmood.
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Paper Menagerie on Governors Island
category: CONSERVATIONENGAGEMENT
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Olivia Liang | October 6, 2023
A fascinating new art exhibit imagines how climate change, habitat loss, and human impact would affect the birds of the future.
A fascinating new art exhibit imagines how climate change, habitat loss, and human impact would affect the birds of the future.
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9/11 Memorial Shines a Spotlight on Risks to Birds
category: CONSERVATIONGENERALADVOCACY

Katherine Chen | October 5, 2023
For over 20 years, NYC Bird Alliance scientists have monitored the 9/11 Tribute in Light. This year was particularly hazardous for birds.
For over 20 years, NYC Bird Alliance scientists have monitored the 9/11 Tribute in Light. This year was particularly hazardous for birds.
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Horseshoe Crab Monitoring 2023 Season Recap
category: CONSERVATIONENGAGEMENT

Katherine Chen | August 7, 2023
For nearly 15 years, NYC Bird Alliance has been organizing a special opportunity for community scientists of all ages and backgrounds to come out to the beaches of Jamaica Bay in May and June during 12 nights around the full and new moon. The purpose? To monitor and tag Atlantic Horseshoe Crabs. During these special nights, thousands of horseshoe crabs come ashore along Plumb Beach and Big Egg Marsh in Jamaica Bay to spawn. See highlights from this season in our latest blog post.
For nearly 15 years, NYC Bird Alliance has been organizing a special opportunity for community scientists of all ages and backgrounds to come out to the beaches of Jamaica Bay in May and June during 12 nights around the full and new moon. The purpose? To monitor and tag Atlantic Horseshoe Crabs. During these special nights, thousands of horseshoe crabs come ashore along Plumb Beach and Big Egg Marsh in Jamaica Bay to spawn. See highlights from this season in our latest blog post.
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