Northeast · Atlantic Flyway

Birds in New York

New York's Jamaica Bay, Adirondacks, and Lake Ontario create an Atlantic Flyway birding powerhouse.

480+Bird species
4Habitat types
2Birding hotspots
5+Cities

Popular cities in New York

Common Birds in New York

The most frequently reported bird species across New York. Click any bird for full profiles, photos, calls, and attraction tips.

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Backyard Birds in New York

Birds that regularly visit feeders and gardens in New York. These are the species you're most likely to attract with the right food, plants, and habitat setup.

Find the right feeder →Bird-friendly plants →

Birds by Habitat in New York

New York spans 4 major habitat types. Explore birds adapted to each environment.

🏖️Coastal BirdsShorebirds, gulls, terns, and seabirds along the coastline.
🌲Forest BirdsWoodland and canopy birds including woodpeckers, warblers, and owls.
🌊Wetland BirdsMarsh, lake, and river species—waterfowl, herons, and shorebirds.
🏙️Urban BirdsCity-adapted birds thriving in parks, gardens, and neighborhoods.

Top Bird Watching Spots in New York

The best places to go bird watching in New York, from national wildlife refuges to local sanctuaries.

1

Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge

Queens salt marsh—one of the East Coast's top migration stops.

2

Braddock Bay

Lake Ontario raptor and owl migration in spring.

Bird Calendar — New York

What to expect each month: migration arrivals, departures, and seasonal highlights.

February
Steady winter residents
March
Steady winter residents
June
Steady winter residents
July
Steady winter residents
August
Steady winter residents
November
Steady winter residents
December
Steady winter residents

Explore neighboring states

About birding in New York

New York is located in the Northeast region of the United States and falls along the Atlantic Flyway, one of four major North American migration routes. The state is home to more than 480 bird species across 4 habitat types: coastal, forest, wetland, urban.

Whether you're a backyard birder in New York City or planning a trip to Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge, this guide covers the most commonly seen species, seasonal patterns, and practical tips for attracting and identifying birds in New York.