URBAN BIRD CALL
Behind the Science: Staying Inspired in a Biodiversity Crisis
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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.
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.
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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?
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Romeo and Juliet: Photographing Central Park's Coyote Pair
category: GENERALURBAN BIRD CALL

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.
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.
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Osprey: The Coastal Fish Hawk
category: CONSERVATIONGENERALURBAN BIRD CALL

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.
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.
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Bird's-Eye View: Fall 2026
category: CONSERVATIONGENERALURBAN BIRD CALL

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.
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.
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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.
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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.
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.
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With Gratitude: Honoring Five Extraordinary Leaders of NYC Bird Alliance’s Board of Directors
category: GENERALURBAN BIRD CALL

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.
This spring, we say thank you to five extraordinary members of our Board of Directors whose board service is coming to a close.
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Guess Who’s Starring On Broadway
category: CONSERVATIONGENERALURBAN BIRD CALL
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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.
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.
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Spring 2026: Bird Book Roundup
category: GENERALURBAN BIRD CALL
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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.
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Redpoll (Acanthis flammea)
category: CONSERVATIONGENERALURBAN BIRD CALL

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.
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.
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Remembering Elizabeth Norman
category: GENERALURBAN BIRD CALL

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.
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.
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Fall Book Roundup
category: GENERALURBAN BIRD CALL
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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.
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Anything Good? A Tribute to Lloyd Spitalnik
category: ENGAGEMENTURBAN BIRD CALL

David Speiser, former NYC Bird Alliance Board Member | September 30, 2025
Lloyd Spitanlik, the one-of-a-kind character whose birding acumen and photography skills helped shape New York City's vibrant birding and photography scene, is remembered by his longtime friend, former NYC Bird Alliance board member David Speiser.
Lloyd Spitanlik, the one-of-a-kind character whose birding acumen and photography skills helped shape New York City's vibrant birding and photography scene, is remembered by his longtime friend, former NYC Bird Alliance board member David Speiser.
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Bird's Eye View: Fall 2025
category: URBAN BIRD CALL
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Jessica G. Wilson, Executive Director and Mike Yuan, Board President | September 2, 2025
A message from NYC Bird Alliance leadership, reflecting on our 40-year conservation legacy and sharing bold plans for our next five.
A message from NYC Bird Alliance leadership, reflecting on our 40-year conservation legacy and sharing bold plans for our next five.
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Lili Taylor Reflects on Lights Out Ahead of 9/11 Tribute in Light

Lili Taylor, Actress, Activist, and NYC Bird Alliance Board Member | August 29, 2025
Ahead of September 11, we’re pleased to share an excerpt from Turning to Birds, a new collection of essays by actress, activist, and NYC Bird Alliance board member Lili Taylor. In her essay “Tribute in Light,” Lili reflects on her first year volunteering as a collision monitor at the 9/11 Tribute in Light Memorial back in 2017.
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Data and Discovery at Jefferson Market Garden
category: CONSERVATIONENGAGEMENTURBAN BIRD CALL

Andrew Maas, Director of Marketing and Communications | August 28, 2025
In the bustling Jefferson Market Garden, a small green space in Manhattan's Greenwich Village, NYC Bird Alliance now offers a behind-the-scenes look at our science work in action.
In the bustling Jefferson Market Garden, a small green space in Manhattan's Greenwich Village, NYC Bird Alliance now offers a behind-the-scenes look at our science work in action.
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The Cooper's Hawk
category: CONSERVATIONGENERALURBAN BIRD CALL

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.
This fall migration, know where to spot Cooper's Hawks both in New York City and along the flyway.
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Bird's Eye View: Summer 2025
category: GENERALURBAN BIRD CALL

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.
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.
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The Double-crested Cormorant
category: GENERALURBAN BIRD CALL

Don Riepe, Publications Committee | June 3, 2025
With their striking silhouettes, Double-Crested Cormorants are a familiar sight along New York City's waterfront.
With their striking silhouettes, Double-Crested Cormorants are a familiar sight along New York City's waterfront.
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Birds, Pride, and the Need for Safe Spaces
category: GENERALENGAGEMENTURBAN BIRD CALL
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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.
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.
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Turning to Birds: Observant, Inquiring, a Future Classic
category: GENERALURBAN BIRD CALL
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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.
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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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Spring Book Roundup
category: GENERALURBAN BIRD CALL
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NYC Bird Alliance Publications Committee | April 7, 2025
What's a better way to enjoy spring than sitting on a park bench with a good book and pair of binoculars by your side? From magical stories of celebrity owls to how birds rest, roost, and sleep, this roundup has a “tail” for everyone.
What's a better way to enjoy spring than sitting on a park bench with a good book and pair of binoculars by your side? From magical stories of celebrity owls to how birds rest, roost, and sleep, this roundup has a “tail” for everyone.
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