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Birds

Birds Diversity Poster
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Art by Jean Gawalt

New York State is home to a variety of bird species. Besides information on specific birds and endangered species of birds, the following information and tools are also available:

Breeding Bird Atlas

The Breeding Bird Atlas is a comprehensive, statewide survey that will reveal the current distribution of breeding birds in New York.

Bird Conservation Areas

The New York State Bird Conservation Area Program was established in 1997 to safeguard and enhance bird populations and their habitats on State lands and waters. The goal of the Bird Conservation Area (BCA) Program is to integrate bird conservation interests into agency planning, management and research projects, within the context of agency missions.

Bird Webcams

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, along with other partners, operates wildlife webcams located throughout New York State and elsewhere throughout the world. Currently our webcams feature nesting Peregrine Falcons, an endangered species in New York. These webcams generally operate from early spring to early summer until the young birds fledge from the nest.

More about Birds:

  • New York State Breeding Bird Atlas - Documenting the distribution of 250 breeding birds in New York State.
  • Bird Conservation Area Program - New York State Bird Conservation Area Program
  • Bird Conservation Area Sites - New York State Bird Conservation Area Program
  • Bird Webcams - Links to bird webcams operated by NYSDEC and other partners located in New York State and elsewhere around the world.
  • American Woodcock - Information on the physical characteristics, behavior, habitat, and conservation of the American woodcock.
  • Bald Eagle - Gateway to information about bald eagles, listed as a threatened species in New York State.
  • Canada Goose - The canada goose is one of the most familiar wildlife species in New York. They are an important game species and can pose a challenge for both wildlife managers and the public.
  • Common Loon Fact Sheet - Common Loons in New York State: species description, life history, distribution and habitat, status, management and research needs
  • Common Tern Fact Sheet - Common Terns in New York State; species description, life history, distribution and habitat, status, management and research needs
  • Double-crested Cormorant - Cormorant populations have increased markedly across New York in recent years, likely a result of a cleaner environment and fewer pesticides which caused reproductive problems. Large nesting colonies are a sight to behold, but high densities of nesting cormorants are not without problems.
  • Eskimo Curlew Fact Sheet - Eskimo Curlew in New York State: Species description; Life History; Distribution and Habitat; Status; Management and Research Needs
  • Golden Eagle Fact Sheet - Golden Eagles in New York state: Species description; Life History; Distribution and Habitat; Status; Management and Research Needs
  • Least Tern Fact Sheet - Least Terns in New York State: Species description; Life History; Distribution and Habitat; Status; Management and Research Needs
  • Loggerhead Shrike Fact Sheet - Loggerhead Shrikes in New York State: Species description; Life History; Distribution and Habitat; Status; Management and Research Needs
  • Mute Swan - Mute swans are a non-native, invasive species first brought to this country from Europe in the late 1800s for their aesthetic value.
  • Northern Harrier Fact Sheet - Northern Harriers in New York State: Species description; Life History; Distribution and Habitat; Status; Management and Research Needs
  • Osprey Fact Sheet - Ospreys in New York State: Species description; Life History; Distribution and Habitat; Status; Management and Research Needs
  • Peregrine Falcon - Peregrine falcons in New York State: species description, life history, distribution, habitat, status, management and research needs.
  • Piping Plover Fact Sheet - Piping plovers in New York State: Species description; Life History; Distribution and Habitat; Status; Management and Research Needs
  • Red-shouldered Hawk Fact Sheet - Species description, Life History, Distribution and Habitat, Status, Management and Research Needs for the Red-shouldered Hawk.
  • Ring-necked Pheasant - A description of the Ring-necked pheasant program in New York
  • Roseate Tern Fact Sheet - Roseate Terns in New York State: Species description; Life History; Distribution and Habitat; Status; Management and Research Needs
  • Ruffed Grouse - Information on the physical characteristics, behavior, habitat, and conservation of ruffed grouse.
  • Short-eared Owl Fact Sheet - Species description, Life History, Distribution and Habitat, Status, Management and Research Needs for the Short-eared Owl.
  • Spruce Grouse Fact Sheet - Spruce Grouse in New York State: Species description; Life History; Distribution and Habitat; Status; Management and Research Needs
  • Wild Turkey - Found throughout New York, the wild turkey is one of the most popular game birds among hunters and bird watchers