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Birding in Cities: Why urban dwellers shouldn’t be discouraged

Flowers under Brooklyn Bridge
Here's a picture I took proving there's nature in New York City.

Tucked away in the greenery of one of the busiest cities in the world, a small group of birders sets their sights on warblers, vireos, orioles, Monk parakeets and many other unique species.

Led by nature and bird enthusiast Rob Jett, these birders of New York City—home to about eight million people and the country’s tallest skyscrapers—see many species that birders in rural areas only dream about.

While some people assume birding in the city is not possible, they are completely wrong.

“Birds and animals can live in extraordinarily diverse environments,” said Rob Jett, who leads tours in New York City and runs the fantastic City Birder blog. “You can see them pretty much anywhere. You see them in the arctic, in city parks, in the desert.”

Under current estimates, about 250 million people live in or around cities in the U.S., which is around 80 percent of all Americans. This means more and more birders are finding themselves surrounded by concrete. But, where there is space, there are birds.

Organizations like the Los Angeles Audubon Society, Audubon Society of Portland, Dallas Birding Society and other local birding groups in cities help educate, build interest and guide birders in the city to prime spots. It’s also possible for youngsters to learn and foster an interest in birding while in cities.

New York birder Jett grew up in the city and developed an interest in nature early on. He said he recalled going hiking with his dad, looking closely at birds, getting binoculars and following hawks around. His passion eventually led him to make birding friends, join the Brooklyn Bird Club and lead tours around Greenwood Cemetery and other New York destinations.

Black Phoebe on Power Line
Here's a Black Phoebe I spotted on a power line in Los Angeles.

What makes birding so unique in cities is that each city has its own hotspots and purpose for birds. For example, New York is located on the Atlantic Flyway where many species travel north and south during migration. You also get some interesting birds in Seattle, Chicago, Houston and Phoenix.

Even though birding in cities is possible, it can be different than birding in rural areas.

Sometimes, Jett said, you have to work harder to find birds in urban centers whereas birding in places like South America is more effortless. By having to work a little harder to find prime birding locations and different species, you learn to appreciate them more.

In some instances, Jett said you’ll occasionally find birds in unexpected places in the city.

“Virginia Rails, marsh birds, have the tendency to drop off anywhere,” he said. For example, his wife’s coworker saw a Virginia Rail off Broadway, and one had to be rescued from a wedding reception at the Picnic House in Prospect Park.

Not long ago, a very rare gray-hooded gull was spotted hanging around Coney Island.

American Robin
A plump American Robin in Prospect Park, Brooklyn.

When I asked Rob Jett what sort of advice he’d give to birders in cities around the country, he said the best thing to do is find others with similar interests and join birdwatching clubs.

“I’m sure every major city has an Audubon chapter where you can learn more about birds in the area and go on birding trips,” he said.

So, the next time you’re lamenting the fact that you’re stuck in a city and suburban area, just remember that birders across the nation in cities are taking the initiative to go birding and you should too.

If you’re in New York City, I highly recommend visiting Rob Jett’s site The City Birder, where you can learn more about his amazing tours.

Timothy Martinez Jr. is a writer and freelance journalist. His work has been published in The Times-Picayune in New Orleans, Remapping Debate in New York City and other publications. He’s been a bird lover since he was young and currently lives in New Orleans, L.A.

3 Comments

  1. I was blessed to have married a man that loved birding. e were married 58 years and he taught me the joys of birding. I lost him 3 years ago but my love of birding will always be with me. I can’t travel to exocit places to bird but still love birding in my community.

  2. That’s so great to hear Debby. Thanks for sharing some of your memories. I’m glad your father, you and your son have helped spread the joys of birding.

  3. Thank you for this article. While i no longer live in a city, I grew up in Houston. My father was an avid back yard birder and we spent many hours watching the various birds he lured to the back yard. He instilled his love of birds in me and I passed that love down to my own son. Now my son is teaching the next generation about the joys of birding. Birding is truly a gift for generations to share. Thanks again for bringing some happy memories.

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