New York City is famous for its busy streets, towering skyscrapers, and delicious food, rendering it one of the most iconic cities in the world. But there is one thing it’s not famous for — natural beauty. Except for the occasional rat or pigeon, New York has grown a reputation as a concrete jungle that is devoid of most forms of wildlife. But this couldn’t be further from the truth. Many New Yorkers might be shocked to learn that the Big Apple isn’t just home to humans, but also a diverse range of animals. From whales to coyotes, it’s far from the sterile, natureless place that most people imagine.
New York City’s bird life might be the best example of this. Over 300 species have been spotted in the metropolis, though not all of them stay year-round. Many migrate through the area. Our parks and gardens provide an important rest stop for sparrows, hawks, warblers, tanagers, hummingbirds, thrushes, and more, allowing them to rest and refuel during their long journeys.
Unfortunately, these birds face a unique array of human-made threats in the city that they aren’t well adapted to survive. One of the biggest problems they face is collisions with glass windows. Birds often can’t see glass because it reflects their surroundings or attracts them to lights inside the building.
Fortunately, there are measures that reduce the risk of bird collisions. Films and patterns can be installed on windows that make them more visible to birds. To learn more about these options, check out this article. However, these solutions can often be expensive and complicated. Instead, it is much simpler to turn off all lights at night (when migration is at its peak) in the spring and fall.
During these times of year you might come across a bird that has been injured from colliding with a window. These birds will often have their eyes closed and be moving very little if at all. They could even be lying down and appear dead. If you find an injured bird, gently pick it up and place it in a paper bag or a cloth tote bag, using a binder clip to keep it from escaping, or use a ventilated box with a towel or lid over it. The best option is to then bring it to the Wild Bird Fund at 565 Columbus Ave in Manhattan. If you are unable to get there, you can try taking it to an animal hospital or email injuredbird@nycaudbon.org, and a volunteer might be able to take it. To learn more about what to do if you find an injured bird, click here or here.