Only tyros would be caught describing Canadian Geese. We have no idea where the individual birds may hale from – but the breed is Canada geese. (And you can make a new birder feel knowledgeable by inviting…
The great blue heron (or to its friends, Ardea Herodias) is the biggest heron in North America (among others including the green heron, black-crowned night heron, yellow-crowned night heron and the tri-colored heron.) Despite the name, it…
The northern cardinal is generally known by its bright red plumage, and was so named by early American colonists for the red-cloaked catholic clergy. Everyone seems to know the red male but not as many recognize…
The weather outside was frightful, but the Beach Café was delightful on the evening of December 19. The ubiquitous Alex Rybek arranged and Celia Berk, Ari Axelrod, Kevin Dozier and Karen Oberlin sang some traditional holiday…
Hawks are known for their talons, curved bill and sturdy legs. They can dive at up to 150 miles per hour and can snare prey in the air or on the ground. Hawks abound in…
Last year, Central Park was set a twitter (no pun intended) by the unexpected presence of a mandarin duck – which had no business being here but which was unusual enough to warrant national coverage…
Wrens are scrappy little birds, and cute, with a loud and cheerful song. Their French name is “troglodyte familier,” as it comes down to us in English, troglodyte means “cave dweller.” These little fellows tend…
There are seriously well-versed birders in Central Park; I am not one. I have however learned that, when faced with a small bird of unknown ID, it can be properly termed an “LBJ” or “little brown job”. Those in…
