Bird Watching in New York City

Family Days: Gone to the Birds

I hope you’ll forgive my lag in posting. I went on vacation for the first time in over a year (and also out of the country for the first time in five years). On the journey there—which took entirely too long due to delays and customs—one brave dad had to change a diaper because his son had diarrhea. Consequently, the entire cabin smelled like a giant fart, which was both hilarious and nauseating at the same time. But the real highlight of my trip was the outdoorsy-ness; something I feel whenever I leave the city. In the spirit of the outdoors, I found a roundup of bird-related events (from watching to playing to picture-taking) for children of all ages. No bug bites required.

Queens
The Aviary
Queens Zoo at Flushing Meadows Corona Park
August 18-22, 1:30-2:30pm
This summer The Aviary reopened after extensive renovations. New additions include waterfowl, heron, and a porcupine named Sparky. Teach your kids (or yourself!) about 20 species of birds and learn how to make your very own bird-feeder for your porch or fire escape. Maybe it’s just me, but we have a lot of birds that perch on our fire escape, especially when the air conditioner is running. While The Aviary will be open year-round, a special series of guided tours and informational talks will occur all next week. More Info…

Brooklyn
Bird Watching for Children
Brooklyn Bridge Park
August 15 and 22, 9:30-10:30am
If you have some spare time the next two Friday mornings, stop by the Brooklyn Bridge Park for an interactive bird watching tour, complete with binoculars and a bird checklist. Led by guides from the Audobon society, kids will learn about the city’s most common birds, besides the much-antagonized pigeon, and which ones are only passing through on migration. Since space is limited for 30 children, plus you, it’s best to reserve in advance. In the meanwhile, let the kids (ages 6 and up) play this interactive game created by the Audobon society where they migrate a flock of hawks, robins, yellowthroats, or egrets from one area to another. More Info…

Manhattan
Plumage in the Park
Bryant Park
August 14 and 15, 11:30am-2:30pm
Meet Kiku, Gingerman, and Señor, the three personable parrots of trained birdmaster Dominick Costa. Hold the parrots, take pictures, or both. Look for the trio of birds near Fountain Terrace or Le Carrousel each Thursday and Friday, depending on the weather. More Info…

Got any bird watching spots in the Bronx or Staten Island? Let me know!