5 Winter Birds You Can Find in NYC Natural Areas

While birdwatching tends to favor the spring and fall seasons, there are still delightful birds to spot in the winter months if you know where to look! Read on below for five species to watch out for, and which New York City natural areas you can find them in.

Northern Cardinal

Where to look: Central Park North Woods, Prospect Park

The Northern Cardinal is one of the birds of New York that stick around all year! The males are known for their striking red coat that jumps out on snowy days. The females are closer to a light brown color, but both sexes share a spiky crest! You’ll more likely spot them in dense bushes and wooded areas.

Black-capped Chickadee

Where to look: Conference House Park, Ridgewood Reservoir

Another bird that isn’t afraid of New York City’s winters is the Black-capped Chickadee. Easily spotted by its black cap and bib, and often found in groups. You may hear them before you see them—they have a bright and clear “chick-a-dee-dee” birdsong. You’ll find these highly intelligent and social birds in deciduous woods and groves.

Downy Woodpecker

Where to look: Forest Park, Inwood Hill Park

You’ll hear the rapid drumming of a Downy Woodpecker from forested areas to your backyard! These birds aren’t shy and can be found in many habitats. Identify them by their black and white striped face, and the males’ red cap.

White-Throated Sparrow

Where to look: Baisley Pond Park, Prospect Park

Arriving from more northern climes in the fall months, large flocks of White-Throated Sparrows arrive each year to spend their winters foraging in green spaces and natural areas across NYC. These charismatic and social birds offer a charming chorus of birdsong, and can be easily identified by their namesake white throats and a vibrant spot of yellow between their eyes and bills (helping to distinguish them from the visually similar English House Sparrow, an introduced species most New Yorkers are probably more familiar with!) You’ll likely see them foraging in large groups in the understory shrubs of our forested natural areas and wetlands.

Bufflehead

Where to look: Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir (Central Park), Van Cortlandt Park Lake

Buffleheads migrate south in the winter months from Canada and Alaska. In New York City you might spot this small diving duck on the water surface of ponds and lakes. Look out for the male duck’s puffy head and purple-green iridescent neck. The females can be identified by a white patch on their cheek. Be careful not to mistake the Bufflehead for the similar looking Hooded Merganser (another species that spends its winters around NYC’s waters)!

Interested in spotting more winter birds this season? Consider volunteering to help at one of the upcoming Audubon Christmas Bird Count events taking place across the five boroughs on the weekend of December 13-14! This annual citizen science effort is a great way to contribute to a better understanding of the health of our local bird populations. To find an event at a local park or natural area near you, check out the NYC Bird Alliance website, or the NYC Parks Birding Events calendar!