Owls are some of the most sought after subjects for wildlife photographers. Denizens of the dark, their silent flight and enigmatic stares can evoke both wonder and terror. It surprises most New Yorkers to learn they share the city that never sleeps with these mysterious creatures— but the emergence of post-pandemic birding along with a few celebrities like Barry the Barred Owl and Flaco the escaped Eurasian Eagle Owl have brought them further into the limelight.
Owls face many of the same threats as our other birds, but a slower breeding cycle combined with their peculiarities are creatures of the night make them exceptionally vulnerable. They are the ultimate illustration of the quote from Naturalist David Attenborough: “No one will protect what they don't care about; and no one will care about what they have never experienced.” Knowledge is always the first step on the road to conservation— start your journey below.
Owls Species in New York City
Great Horned Owl
Bubo virginianus
No owls are easy to spot— but the Great Horned Owls, as one of the largest owls in North America, is certainly easier than other species. A true apex predator, these Tigers of the Sky will eat everything in the forest, from Rats and Skunks to other Owls and even Red-tailed Hawks.
You can find Great Horned Owls in any of our parks with Old Growth— but finding them in the winter is much easier than in the summertime.
Red-tailed Hawk
Buteo jamaicensis
Red-tailed Hawks soar above the entire United States, and North America. One of the most recognizable birds of prey, they have 14 recognized subspecies across the continent. The original Rat Czar, these hawks are particularly vulnerable to rodenticides, as the Norway Rat makes up a large portion of their diet in New York city.
You can spot Red-tails hunting and nesting in all 5 boroughs, but some of the best places to spot them are Forest Park, Thompkins Square Park, Freshkills Park, Van Cortlandt Park, and Prospect Park
Osprey
Pandion haliaetus
Sometimes called the Fish Hawk, sometimes called the Sea Hawk, Osprey are the most widespread Bird of Prey on the planet. Present on every continent but Antarctica, Osprey will nest on man-made and natural structures alike,. In New York City, you’ll find them fishing every body of water— the Atlantic Ocean along the Rockaways, the Hudson River, and even the Jackie Onassis Reservoir in Central Park.
Osprey aren’t hard to find as the third largest Bird of Prey in New York City, but they are only present seasonally. The best places to spot them are Pelham Bay Park, Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge, Oceanside Park, Marine Park Salt March, and Fort Washington Park.
Cooper’s Hawk
Astur cooperii
The soon-to-be-renamed Cooper’s Hawk is another frequent flier in the NYC skies— especially in winter. Sometimes called the Big Blue Darter or Chicken Hawk, they differ from their Buteo cousins in taking their prey on the wing. No songbird is safe from the Cooper’s Hawk, nor are our feral pigeons.
The best places to see Cooper’s Hawks are parks with enough mixed forest parks with open stretches of grasslands and ball fields, like Central park, Van Cortlandt Park, Great Kills Park, Prospect park, and Flushing Meadows Corona Park.
Turkey Vulture
Cathartes aura
With a recognizable silhouette and a range spreading across North and South America, the Turkey Vulture is a highly recognizable Raptor. It has 5 recognized subspecies across its range, and it can be spotted soaring on thermals in all 5 boroughs.
However, there are some places you’re more likely to spot it than others. Van Cortlandt Park, Canarsie Park, High Rock Park, Highland Park, and Fort Tryon Park are the best places to spot our local Lords of Carrion.
Red-shouldered Hawk
Buteo lineatus
Red-shouldered Hawks are an infrequent resident of the five boroughs, seen most often in the winter months. They’re a soaring hawk, meaning you can catch them flying high on thermal updrafts, seeking prey to drop down on and consume.
Theyre a fairly common raptor on the East Coast, but they require mature forests, preferably with wetlands and large hardwood trees. The best places to spot them are in Van Cortlandt Park, Forest Park, Inwood Hill, Prospect Park, and Freshkills Park.
American Kestrel
Falco sparverius
North America’s smallest falcon, the American Kestrel is still a mighty hunter. Snatching everything from snakes to crickets, these raptors can actually hover above the ground as they scan the grasslands for prey.
Adept urban survivors, the American Kestrel’s dietary variety certainly aids in its ability to thrive in the Big Apple. You can see them in Morningside Park, Pelham Bay Park, Prospect Park, and nearly any park that’s a former landfill.
Peregrine Falcon
Falco peregrinus
As the Fastest Animal on the planet, Peregrine Falcons are right at home in the city that never sleeps. As scrape nesters, meaning they don’t need much beyond a flat surface a few twigs, they are prolific breeders in the 5 boroughs.
New York City is home to the largest breeding population of Peregrine Falcons anywhere in the world. If you take a close look at any of the bridges surrounded our Urban Archipelago, you’re also certain to spot them, particularly during late spring and early summer when their fledglings are spreading their wings.
