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A Homeowner’s Guide to Common Backyard Birds in New York
It’s a glorious morning and you feel wonderful because you have a coffee in hand and you’re heading out to your porch swing to start your day. As you sit there, you hear all the beautiful birds singing in the trees.
You should join the 45 million Americans who watch birds as a beloved hobby! All you need is your eyeballs and a good set of binoculars.
But how do you know what kinds of birds you’re looking at?
We put together a quick guide to spotting the most common backyard birds in New York. Keep reading to learn everything you need to know before heading outside to spot some local New York birds.
How to Begin Bird Watching
One of the best parts about bird watching is that there’s not much to prepare before your first bird watching experience. Some of the supplies you might want to gather include:
- Bird Watching Field Guide
- binoculars or other long-range ocular devices
- Field journal
- Pen
- Snacks/beverage
Keep in mind that you don’t need any of these things to go out and watch for local birds, but many seasoned bird watchers find these items helpful while out in the field. Check out companies like Nature Niche for quality backyard hobby products.
Most Common Backyard Birds in New York
If you want to get out there and watch birds before your field guide comes in, we have you covered as far as basic backyard bird research. Here are the 4 most common birds you’ll see in New York.
4. American Crow
This beautiful bird is bigger than most people think at about seventeen inches long! Aside from the glossy black feathers, crows have a thick neck to hold up their large head and a short tail with a squared end.
3. Northern Cardinal
The super bright red coloring of these birds makes the male Cardinals easy to spot from a mile away, but the female robins don’t look as bright as their male counterparts.
2. American Robin
These birds measure about ten inches from beak to tail tip and have a plump body shape. The head and wings of the American Robin are a dull brownish-gray, but the belly is a beautiful burnt orange or rusty color.
1. Blue Jay
The most common bird in New York is the iconic Blue Jay. You can identify a Blue Jay because of its telltale bright blue, black, and white coloring and the males have a beautiful fluffy crest. You’ll see these beauties out all year round, so keep your eyes peeled!
Try Bird Watching and Learn How Tweet It Is
Many people can attest to the relaxation and enjoyment that bird watching causes. Whether you choose to enjoy bird watching by yourself or as part of a group, it’s a great hobby for any age!
Once you finish your bird research and you find your bird watching location, it’s time to get out there and watch for birds! Take a journal with you to jot down notes and any species that you can identify.
We hope you enjoyed reading this article and that you learned how to identify some of the most common backyard birds in New York. If you’re looking for more great articles about entertainment, life, and much more, check out the rest of our blogs today!
