Central Park is an oasis for birds right in the middle of bustling New York City. Over 200 species of birds have been spotted in Central Park since it opened in 1857. The park’s mix of open meadows, small forests, and bodies of water provide excellent habitat for migrating and resident birds. Birders of all levels can find plenty of feathered friends in Central Park year-round.
When is the Best Time to Go Birdwatching in Central Park?
Central Park offers great birding opportunities all year long. Here is an overview of what birds you are most likely to see during each season:
Spring Migration (March – May)
Spring migration brings the greatest diversity of birds to Central Park. Over 35 species of warblers can be seen passing through on their way north to their summer breeding grounds. Other migrants to look for include orioles, tanagers, grosbeaks, flycatchers, and thrushes. The peak times are mid-April to early May. Some excellent spots for spring migrants are Strawberry Fields, the Ramble, Turtle Pond, and the treetops around the Great Lawn.
Summer (June – August)
While spring has the greatest variety of birds, summer allows you to see residents raising their young. Some breeding birds to watch for are robins, cardinals, mourning doves, mallards, red-tailed hawks, and chimney swifts. The Conservatory Waters is a great place to see waterfowl with ducklings. Early morning is often best for avoiding the heat and spotting the most activity.
Fall Migration (September – November)
Fall migration brings many of the same birds back through Central Park on their way south for the winter. September and October are peak times to see warblers, vireos, tanagers, and flycatchers making their way through the park again. Check the Ramble, Turtle Pond, and woods around the Great Lawn for the greatest activity. Watch for hawks and falcons as well.
Winter (December – February)
While many birds have migrated south for the winter, Central Park still hosts its share of wintering species and year-round residents. Scan open lawns for American robins, dark-eyed juncos, and white-throated sparrows. Check bodies of water for ducks like mallards, mergansers, and buffleheads. Watch the skies for red-tailed hawks. The Conservatory Gardens area can be quite lively on a winter day.
Best Spots for Birding in Central Park
Here are some of the top spots in Central Park to spot a variety of bird species:
The Ramble
This wooded area in the center of the park provides excellent cover for migrating warblers, vireos, tanagers, and other songbirds. It has a diverse mix of habitats.
Conservatory Water
This lake attracts a variety of waterfowl including ducks, geese, herons, gulls, and swans. It also has good cover around the edges for songbirds.
Turtle Pond
Another good spot to view ducks, geese, and swans as well as migrating warblers in the trees around its edges.
Strawberry Fields
This memorial landscape hosts a mix of open lawns, small trees, and shrubs that attract a variety of migrating warblers in spring and fall.
Sheep Meadow
One of the largest open areas where you may spot raptors and other birds soaring overhead or robins and sparrows foraging on the grass.
Great Lawn
This open 15 acre lawn also provides good opportunities for spotting soaring hawks and falcons as well as swallows and swifts.
North Woods
The largest forested area in the park. Look for woodpeckers, nuthatches, chickadees and other woodland species here.
Loch
This small lake attracts many of the same waterfowl as Turtle Pond plus marsh species like red-winged blackbirds in the surrounding reeds.
Common Birds Spotted in Central Park
Here is an overview of some of the most common resident and migratory birds that can be seen in Central Park throughout the year:
Bird | Details |
---|---|
Mallard | One of the most common ducks on Central Park’s lakes year-round |
Canada Goose | Large and easily spotted waterfowl often seen in flocks |
Red-tailed Hawk | Common large raptor regularly seen soaring over open areas |
Mourning Dove | Plump light gray doves often seen foraging on lawns |
Rock Pigeon | Ubiquitous city bird often in large flocks around paved areas |
Downy Woodpecker | These small black and white woodpeckers are common in woods year-round |
American Robin | One of the most widespread and familiar backyard birds |
Northern Cardinal | Bright red songbirds, the males stand out year-round |
Blue Jay | Common larger songbirds with blue, black, and white plumage |
Tufted Titmouse | Small gray bird with a distinctive tufted crest often in woods |
Black-capped Chickadee | Active little gray and black birds common in winter |
Ruby-crowned Kinglet | Tiny songbird with a red crown stripe, common in migration |
Yellow-rumped Warbler | One of the earliest spring warblers with yellow patches |
Palm Warbler | Ground-dwelling warbler often bobbing its tail spotted during migration |
Chimney Swift | Cigar-shaped birds that nest and roost in chimneys |
European Starling | Stocky dark bird with iridescent feathers often found in large flocks |
Raptors of Central Park
Here are some of the hawks, eagles, falcons, and other birds of prey that can be seen in Central Park:
Red-tailed Hawk
By far the most common raptor in Central Park today, the Red-tailed Hawk is found year-round and several pairs nest in the park. Look for these large bulky hawks with reddish tail feathers soaring over open areas.
Cooper’s Hawk
A crow-sized forest hawk that comes to Central Park in winter. They often perch quietly scanning for small bird prey. Watch for their rounded wings and reddish barring on the underparts.
Peregrine Falcon
These large powerful falcons are sometimes seen passing through the park in migration or wintering. Watch for them patrolling the skies over open areas at high speeds.
Merlin
This small falcon is seen in winter zipping low over fields in pursuit of small songbirds which it catches in mid-air.
Bald Eagle
Our national bird is an uncommon but regular visitor, especially in late fall and winter. Scan lakesides for their large white head and tail.
Osprey
This large fish-eating hawk migrates through in spring and fall, sometimes stopping to fish Central Park’s waters.
American Kestrel
Our smallest falcon. Kestrels are a rare winter visitor that can sometimes be seen perched on high snags watching for rodent prey.
Sharp-shinned Hawk
Another small woodland hawk seen passing through the park mainly during fall migration.
Northern Harrier
Watch for these slender hawks gliding low over grasslands on buoyant wings hunting small mammals and marsh birds.
Waterfowl of Central Park
The lakes, ponds, and reservoirs of Central Park attract a nice variety of ducks, geese, swans, and other water birds. Here are some of the most common and easily spotted:
Mallard
The most common and familiar duck in Central Park. Males have the green head and curly tail feathers, females are brown-streaked.
Canada Goose
It’s hard to miss these large, common geese with black head and neck and loud honking calls.
Mute Swan
An introduced Eurasian swan with a distinct orange bill and graceful curved neck. They nest each spring.
Wood Duck
A small, stocky duck with colorful patterns seen at secluded forest ponds and streams.
Hooded Merganser
Watch for these small diving ducks with elegant crests on quiet ponds in winter.
Common Merganser
Larger diving ducks seen in winter on Central Park’s main lakes. Males have green heads, females are reddish-brown.
Double-crested Cormorant
Large black water bird that often perches with wings spread to dry its feathers.
Great Blue Heron
This tall, long-legged heron can sometimes be seen wading at pond edges spearing fish with its sharp beak.
Belted Kingfisher
Watch for this stocky, crested bird rattling as it flies along pond edges before diving for small fish.
Songbirds of Central Park
Central Park hosts over 200 species of songbirds each year. Here are some tips for identifying some of the common spring and fall migrating warblers, vireos, thrushes, tanagers, and other songbirds in the park:
Warblers
Warblers display a dizzying array of color patterns, especially in spring. Learn some of the common ones like the Black-and-white, Common Yellowthroat, Yellow, Yellow-rumped, Palm, Pine, and Prairie Warblers. Listen for their buzzy songs and calls.
Vireos
These plain gray, green, and white songbirds sing intricate songs. Red-eyed, Warbling, and White-eyed Vireos are some regulars. Listen for their conversational chattering calls.
Thrushes
Notice the spotted breasts and upright posture common to migrating Wood, Swainson’s and Hermit Thrushes in Central Park’s woods. Listen for their flute-clear songs.
Tanagers
The Scarlet Tanager’s fire-engine red plumage makes it hard to miss in spring. Watch also for the smaller Summer and hepatic tanagers.
Orioles and Grosbeaks
Listen for the fluty whistles of Rose-breasted Grosbeaks and boisterous songs of Baltimore and Orchard Orioles passing through the treetops.
Flycatchers
Recognize Eastern Wood-Pewees by their mournful “pee-ah-weee” call. Eastern Phoebes pump their tails. Alder and Willow Flycatchers give sharp “whit” calls.
Sparrows and Finches
Notice Chipping, Field, Song, and Savannah Sparrows scurrying in brush piles and thickets. Watch for American Goldfinches sporting yellow-tinged plumage.
Best Birding Events and Activities in Central Park
Central Park offers great birding year-round. Some specific events and activities include:
Peak Migration Birdwalks
The park hosts guided birdwalks during the height of spring and fall migration in April-May and September-October. These often yield 100+ species!
Christmas Bird Count
Volunteers team up in December to tally as many species as they can find on this long-running annual bird census.
Raptor Migration Watch
Head to lookout points like the Esplanade in September-October to witness the river of hawks, eagles, and falcons passing overhead.
Celebrate Urban Birds Festival
This May festival celebrates city birding with walks, talks, and other special events.
Woodcock Display Watch
Look for the magical dusk mating display of American Woodcocks in April in the North Woods.
Owl Prowls
Join nocturnal outings in late winter to search for Eastern Screech-Owls and other owls.
Tips for Birding in Central Park
Here are some tips for having the best birdwatching experience in Central Park:
Pack Binoculars
Be sure to bring binoculars to help you identify birds by their field marks. A good pair should magnify at least 7x to 8x.
Use a Field Guide
Carry a lightweight field guide or install an app to help you identify species. Consider the National Geographic or Sibley guides.
Focus your ears
Listen closely to bird songs and calls which can be easier to pick up than spotting the birds themselves.
Wear neutral colors
Stick to earth tones and dark greens to avoid startling birds and blend into your surroundings.
Walk slowly and pause frequently
Moving slowly and stopping to scan your surroundings will reveal more wildlife.
Follow the birdsong
When you hear an interesting bird call, stay still and scan the trees and bushes to try and see who’s singing.
Look high and low
Remember to scan lower areas like shrubs and the ground as well as high up in the treetops where many songbirds reside.
Conclusion
Central Park offers a birding adventure like no other right in the heart of New York City. Its diverse habitats host around 270 species annually. Migrating warblers, vireos, hawks and waterfowl visit the park each spring and fall. Year-round residents like cardinals, woodpeckers and chickadees bring color and song even in winter. For an urban birding experience like no other, spend a day with the birds in Central Park. Just bring some binoculars, field guide, and patience, and you’ll be rewarded with great bird sightings!