Birdwatching Guide
More than 210 bird species make an appearance in Central Park each year. Learn how to responsibly spot them!
Located along the Atlantic Flyway, Central Park welcomes hundreds of species each year. Many live in the Park year-round, and others make an important stop here during their spring and fall migrations so they can find safe places to nest, as well as food in the form of seeds, berries, and insects.
The Central Park Conservancy supports bird life in the Park by restoring, sustaining, and caring for the 100 acres of natural areas they depend on. Our highly trained Natural Areas team cultivates native plants, limits the use of machines (especially during migration), and carefully cares for trees and water bodies—all to help make Central Park an ideal home for winged creatures.
Remember that when you visit Central Park, you’re entering the home of mammals, birds, fish, reptiles, and other animals who depend on this space for sustenance and shelter. Our actions and behavior in the Park have a direct impact on their survival. Help us keep the Park hospitable for wildlife, and help support biodiversity, by following these guidelines.
While Central Park is a permanent home to many birds such as the northern cardinal, other species like the gray catbird and barn swallow can be spotted during migration seasons.
Tips for Birdwatching in Central Park and Beyond:
Looking for birds is all about patience, luck, and movement. The best times to go birding are in the early morning and late afternoon, when birds are the most active.
- Bring a guide or download an app to your phone. (We recommend this one from the National Audubon Society.)
- Respect other birders, giving everyone space to enjoy this pastime.
- Let your eyes relax, and scan trees, shrubs, and bushes for movement.
- When you first spot movement, focus on it. Is it a bird? Bring your binoculars to your eyes without looking away.
- Make note of the bird's shape, bill, and markings. Note where they are seen (on the ground versus the top of a tree) and what they’re doing (feeding, pecking, or flying). Collect as many details as possible. You’ll use these details to search for the bird in your guide after the bird flies away.
- Don’t get too close or disturb a bird with callbacks, and always stay on designated trails and paths.
- Interested in bird photography? Explore the Audubon’s guide to ethical bird photography and videography.
A Note on Nesting
When spring migration is underway, it's also nesting season for many species. It’s crucial we protect birds during this vulnerable time by:
- Keeping your distance from a nest and refraining from using callbacks. You may frighten the parents away from the nest, or your proximity could make them afraid to return, jeopardizing the babies’ chances of survival.
- Never removing nestlings or eggs from a nest.
- Never picking up or removing fledglings (baby birds) if they’re on the ground. Fledglings are often mistakenly "rescued" if found outside of their nests: If they have lots of feathers and can hop, leave them where they are. This is an important phase of development, and their parents are nearby, feeding and protecting them as they learn to fly from the ground.
- Keeping the surrounding plant life intact, as it provides both essential camouflage from predators as well as protection from wind, rain, and sun.