Celebrating Living Landscapes at the 2026 Fall Roost

NYC Bird Alliance | October 16, 2026 

On October 13, 2026, NYC Bird Alliance’s Fall Roost fundraising gala celebrated our work to protect birds, and honored Google and Dr. Eric W. Sanderson for their vision and leadership in advancing urban biodiversity.
CONTINUE READING

The Bird Banners of City Hall Park

An Interview with Gail Karlsson, Nature Writer and Photographer | October 8, 2026

When walking or cycling through City Hall Park or The Battery, you may have noticed some brightly colored banners. The City Hall Park Bird Banners, featuring photographs by nature writer and photographer Gail Karlsson, showcase the beauty, wonder, and diversity of New York City’s birds.
CONTINUE READING

Birds in the Beams: Monitoring the 2026 Tribute in Light

By Olivia Liang, Senior Associate, Marketing and Communications | September 30, 2026 

Each year, on the night of September 11, people across all five boroughs – and beyond – can see the powerful twin beams of the 9/11 Tribute in Light Memorial. Since 2002, NYC Bird Alliance has monitored the Tribute to protect what few can see: the migratory birds flying in, around, and through the beams.
CONTINUE READING

Behind the Science: Staying Inspired in a Biodiversity Crisis

An Interview by Kellye Rosenheim, Publications Committee | August 27, 2026

Kellye Rosenheim sits down with Dr. Dustin Partridge, NYC Bird Alliance's senior director of conservation and science, to discuss how he stays optimistic on the frontlines of a biodiversity crisis. 
CONTINUE READING

Evolving Attitudes: Native Plants in the Urban Landscape

By Hillarie O’Toole, Publications Committee | August 27, 2026

It isn’t news that “native plants,” those which have evolved over millennia within a region, provide unique and often highly specialized resources and benefits to the ecosystem. Why then, do we continue to see rows of boxwoods, euonymus, barberry, and yews lining our city streets?
CONTINUE READING

Romeo and Juliet: Photographing Central Park's Coyote Pair

By Suzanne Charlé, Publications Committee | August 31, 2026 

For years, David Lei and Jacqueline Emery have been celebrated for their photos of Central Park birds. Now they're turning their lenses on the Central Park coyotes, Romeo and Juliet.
CONTINUE READING

Osprey: The Coastal Fish Hawk

By Don Riepe, NYC Bird Alliance Advisory Council Member and Former Board Member | August 27, 2026

Just like Red-tailed Hawks and Peregrine Falcons, the Osprey has a remarkable wildlife comeback story in New York City. But with threats like human disturbance and overfishing, their future could still be at risk.
CONTINUE READING

Bird's-Eye View: Fall 2026

By Board President Mike Yuan and Executive Director Jessica Wilson | August 27, 2026

As fall brings migrating birds back to the City, our opportunities for engagement and conservation action abound, including our annual Fall Roost gala. This year, we’re celebrating two honorees who help make New York City a vibrant biodiversity hub: Google and Dr. Eric W. Sanderson.
CONTINUE READING

Saving the Black-crowned Night Heron

Critical decline demands immediate action. The Black-crowned Night Heron (BCNH) has long been the most abundant wading bird in New York Harbor, but this is changing fast.
CONTINUE READING

Piping Plover (Charadrius melodus)

By Olivia Liang, Senior Associate, Marketing and Communications | June 18, 2026

If you’ve ever visited the Rockaways, you may have noticed some local cele-bird-ies. They’re stocky, stubby-billed, and big-eyed with legs that dart so quickly they appear to vibrate. 
CONTINUE READING

With Gratitude: Honoring Five Extraordinary Leaders of NYC Bird Alliance’s Board of Directors

By Jessica Wilson, Executive Director, and Mike Yuan, Board President | June 1, 2026

This spring, we say thank you to five extraordinary members of our Board of Directors whose board service is coming to a close.
CONTINUE READING

Guess Who’s Starring On Broadway

By Carol Peace Robins, Publications Committee Member | April 1, 2026 

As part of Broadway Mall Association's Great Green Way Project, NYC Bird Alliance scientists assessed bird activity in these small – but impactful – green spaces.
CONTINUE READING

Spring 2026: Bird Book Roundup

By the NYC Bird Alliance Publications Committee | April 1, 2026

As bright warblers and warm weather come to New York, these three books are perfect for a shady read on a park bench.
CONTINUE READING

Redpoll (Acanthis flammea)

By Don Riepe, NYC Bird Alliance Advisory Council Member and Former Board Member | April 2, 2026 

Learn about the uncommon NYC visitor, the Redpoll: a small, lively finch with streaked brown plumage, a distinctive red cap on its crown (or poll), and black chin markings. 
CONTINUE READING

Remembering Elizabeth Norman

Jessica G. Wilson, Executive Director | March 26, 2026 

We are deeply saddened to share the news of the passing of our board member Elizabeth Norman on March 9, 2026. Since joining the NYC Bird Alliance board of directors in 2020, Elizabeth helped guide the organization through an important period of change and growth. 
CONTINUE READING

Aviary: The Bird in Contemporary Photography

In this collection of over 200 images, photographers pursue “their muse” in every part of the planet with shots of birds in the air, underwater, into cities, and in scenes devised by the artist.
CONTINUE READING

2025 Birdy Holiday Gift Guide

NYC Bird Alliance | December 8, 2025
Seeking nerdy, birdy gifts for nature-enthusiasts? Look no further! We're shopping local and supporting our community this holiday season. 
CONTINUE READING

Fall Book Roundup

NYC Bird Alliance Publications Committee | November 5, 2025 

As the last of our migrants fly south, we offer three new titles to help pass the time until colorful warblers and vibrant vireos return to our parks and gardens.
CONTINUE READING

Flyway of Life: From New York to Nanuk

Tomas Koeck, Documentary Filmmaker | September 4, 2025

Award-winning filmmaker and expeditionist Tomas Koeck gives a behind-the-scenes look at his latest documentary film, Flyway of Life, featuring NYC Bird Alliance. From the Cloud Forests of Costa Rica, to the subarctic tundra of northern Manitoba, Flyway of Life showcases how bird migrations connect all of these environments along the Atlantic Flyway, including here in New York City. 
CONTINUE READING

The Cooper's Hawk

Don Riepe, NYC Bird Alliance Advisory Council Member and Former Board Member | August 28, 2025 

This fall migration, know where to spot Cooper's Hawks both in New York City and along the flyway.
CONTINUE READING

Bird's Eye View: Summer 2025

Jessica G. Wilson, Executive Director | May 22, 2025

A message from NYC Bird Alliance Executive Director Jessica Wilson, reflecting on the challenges and beauty of the past spring season while looking ahead to our new strategic plan.
CONTINUE READING

The Double-crested Cormorant

Don Riepe, Publications Committee | June 3, 2025 

With their striking silhouettes, Double-Crested Cormorants are a familiar sight along New York City's waterfront.
CONTINUE READING

Birds, Pride, and the Need for Safe Spaces

Andrew Reiter, NYC Bird Alliance Bird Guide | June 2, 2025

June is a wonderful time for birding in NYC as we say farewell to spring migrants and hello to Pride Month. Although NYC Bird Alliance hosts “Let’s Go Birding Together (LGBT)” outings throughout the year, June is the pinnacle of this fun, inclusive programming. 
CONTINUE READING

Turning to Birds: Observant, Inquiring, a Future Classic

Ned Boyajian, Publications Committee | May 29, 2025

In twelve deftly written, thoughtful essays, Lili Taylor—actress, activist, and long-time board member for NYC Bird Alliance—reflects on her birding journey in her new book, Turning to Birds. With sly wit, she deftly weaves ornithology, psychology, acting techniques, etymology, philosophy, and much more.
CONTINUE READING

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. 
CONTINUE READING