NYC Bird Alliance

New York City's Black-crowned Night Herons Are Vanishing--and Could Totally Disappear in a Decade, a New Study Reveals The waters and islands around the city have been home to thousands of the breeding birds for decades, but their numbers are now mysteriously plunging, according to New York City Bird Alliance.

A 55% loss in just 22 years. The Black-crowned Night Heron, historically the most abundant wading bird in our harbor, is vanishing fast. New research led by NYC Bird Alliance published today in the scientific journal Conservation Science and Practice confirms that without action, these birds face local as soon as 2037.

The good news? We can save this bird.

🚨We’re rallying New Yorkers to call on city and state policymakers to support more research and institute better protections for .
➡ You can help by signing our petition!

🔎Our scientists are working to answer the big question: what is causing Black-crowned Night Heron’s decline? We’ll be researching predation, human disturbance, water quality, and more.

Visit our website (link in bio) to sign our petition, share your sightings and stories, and sign up for action alerts to protect this bird. The journey to save Black-crowned Night Heron is only just beginning!

Together, we will save this bird.

It's baby season! 🐤 You may notice some scrappy-looking birds that appear abandoned or struggling to fly. In most cases, these chicks are safe and healthy, with their parents keeping watch nearby. Before intervening, it’s important to determine if help is needed.

🐣 Hatchlings are just a few days old and are usually featherless with closed eyes. If you can find its nest, return the chick carefully; if not, bring it to an animal rehab like .
🐥 Fledglings are mobile young birds that in most cases DO NOT NEED HELP! They're simply learning to navigate the world. Unless visibly injured or in a precarious situation, leave them be.

📸 American nestlings / flickr4jazz

Sunday kicks off Black Birders Week across the nation! 🎉 Join us for special outings throughout the week — all of which are FREE to attend and open to all.

📆 May 24-30
🐦 6 FREE outings
🔗 Link in bio

, created by The Black AF in STEM Collective, is a national celebration of Black birders, nature enthusiasts, and conservation leaders, filled with virtual discussions, community bird outings, and a joyful reclamation of outdoor spaces. We hope you'll join us!

Thrilled to see Red-Tailed Hawks featured in the The New York Times NY Today newsletter, because this is one of NYC’s great success stories! 🎉

It was once unfathomable to think would nest in NYC, but Pale Male’s arrival in Central Park over three decades ago gave rise to a whole generation of Red-Tails now nesting throughout the five boroughs. He was also the sparkbird for many New Yorkers when, in 2004, his nest was removed, sparking outrage from the community. 🪺 NYC Bird Alliance (then NYC Audubon) activated its members, rallying New Yorkers behind this bird, successfully leading to the nest being restored – and Pale Male’s return.

Although likely passed away in 2023, his legacy continues. His final mate, Octavia, pictured below, continues to use their same nest at 927 Fifth Avenue, now with a new mate.

We’d like to applaud 927 Fifth Avenue for being fantastic landlords to these and this nest, which has just welcomed a new chick! 🐣

🔗

A May-December Romance for 2 Fifth Avenue Hawks (Gift Article) The last mate of Pale Male, a celebrity hawk, has returned to their Upper East Side address with a new partner, and a baby chick has been seen.

The 10th Annual Jamaica Bay Festival is here! 🐴👟🦀 Celebrate the ancient mating ritual of these charismatic "living dinosaurs" that come to our shores each year, helping provide a vital food source for migrating (like the endangered Red Knot).

📍 Meet at Sunset Cove Park in Broad Channel, Queens
📅 Sunday, May 17
🕐 10am - 2pm
🔗 nycbirdalliance.org/festivals | Link in bio

This spring, our in Nature program has taken flight! With six outings in April, plus community building and outreach with local residents and organizations, we’re bringing free, guided outings to NYCHA residents across NYC. Check out our April highlights:

🌱 Kicking off the spring season with 'Intro to Birding' at Fulton & Elliott-Chelsea Houses
🕊️ Local bird expert from McGolrick Park joining residents of Cooper Park Houses
🪺 Spotting a Yellow–crowned Night Heron nest at Nostrand Houses
🌳 First-time birders flocked with us to Central Park from King Towers
👐 Connecting with King Towers residents to share the benefits of birding for physical and mental wellbeing

This Saturday, we're celebrating with EIGHT free bird outings. Whether you're a beginner birder or longtime bird-lover, join us in celebrating the amazing journeys of migratory by spotting some amazing visiting species.
🌎 World Migratory Bird Day
📆 Saturday, May 9
🪶 All outings are
🔗 link in bio | nycbirdalliance.org/wmbd

Please join us in welcoming Rita Legro, NYC Bird Alliance’s new Senior Manager of Strategic Initiatives! 🎉
🌱 Rita will bring together public, private, and community partners to support equitable access to nature and enhance habitat for birds and . Welcome, Rita!

Some for your 🐚

Photos: Tom Murray/CC