From Ravenswood to Rockaway flocks, the Eagle brings you the birds of Queens
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Neon green monk parakeets can be seen in Flushing Meadows Corona Park, and even Citi Field, where one stopped by in 2015. Photo by Becky Matsubara via Wikimedia
By Rachel Vick
With Queens residents stuck inside, nature has started to reclaim a bit of the borough. Just look to the sky.
It’s not just the majestic pigeon. Queens is home to plenty of birds in the borough's various environments, from marshes and beaches to tree-filed parks. Spaces like the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge offer protected, wildlife friendly spots that accomodate birds along their migratory pathways, Approximately 70 species nest in the refuge, according to their site.
Grab your binoculars and bird book. Here are some of the species you might spot while gazing out a window:
Monk Parakeets
These neon green birdies first arrived in Queens by way of Kennedy Airport, when an exotic bird dealer accidentally let some loose in the 1960s.
The birds have made a home in Howard Beach, the Rockaways and other water-adjacent spots in the borough. One monk parakeet even flew into Citi Field during a 2015 Mets home game, becoming a mascot of sorts to the club on its way to the pennant.
Photo via James O’Keefe/Flickr
American Robins
The coloring on the males is more vibrant, with black and dark grey wings and deeper orange on the breast, compared to the lighter coloring of females. It’s not uncommon to find them in urban areas, where they frequent lawns. They can also be seen at the Queens Botanical Garden.
Photo via Robert Nunnally/Flickr
Red-tailed Hawks
If you’re lucky, you might be able to catch a glimpse of nature’s own pest control. These hawks like to nest on high platforms, such as tall buildings or a light tower on the St. John’s University campus. A pair was even spotted nesting on the Unisphere. The Eagle’s David Brand eyed one on a branch overlooking Grover Cleveland Park in Ridgewood in October 2019.
Photo by Kaiti Titherington/USFWS
Piping Plovers
These beach babes have nested along city beaches, including protected dunes in the Rockaways, for decades. Unlike other shore birds, they don’t follow the waterline while feeding.
Photo by Lamar Gore/USFWS
Northern Cardinals
Northern cardinals don’t migrate or change color, but when spring comes their presence is even more apparent. They are commonly found in wooded areas, so if you stroll through a place like Forest Park or Alley Pond Park, you might just spot a flash of red.
Photo by Robert Engberg/Flikr
Blue Jays
Typically observed where trees form a canopy, these bright songbirds tend to stick around through all four seasons. They adapt to their surroundings and gang up on predators to defend their territory. They’re also known to mimic hawk calls.
