Wading birds of New York City
Herons and other wading birds are among the closets things we still have to dinosaurs. Stalking amongst the reeds, their slender stabbing beaks and intense eyes can stir both admiration and a primal fear.
But they’re an incredible bioindicator of a healthy ecosystem. Their presence in our wetlands and along the shores of our lakes and ponds demonstrates a healthy and thriving food web. The city is learning with each passing year just how important those wetlands and shores are. Climate changes continues its relentless march, leaving us to battle higher storm surges and more relentless rain. The key to surviving both lies in these bird’s habitats— making their survival intimately intertwined with our own.
Explore the images below to meet more of our wading and shore birds.
Great Blue Heron
The largest of the wading birds in New York, its also the largest heron in North America! While their diet primarily consists of fish, they’ll also consume amphibians, reptiles, and small mammals. You can spot Great Blue Herons at any park in New York City with a water feature— and may even catch them flying over in other parts of the city!
Green Heron
One of the smaller herons, the Green Heron still makes a large impact on its ecosystems. Preying on everything from fish and frogs to invertebrates, Green Herons have been seen using tools, like bread crumbs, as bait to lure in a catch. They also breed in New York, meaning you can catch their courtship displays in our parks with wetlands, ponds, and creeks.
Great Egret
The symbol of the Audubon Society, and a symbol of our powers of conservation, Great Egrets have come back from the brink after being hunted for the feathers. One of the largest Egrets, this bird can be spotted around the world, often sharing space with other wading birds. Just like those other species, Great Egrets scour the marshland and the water’s edge in search of fish, amphibians, shellfish, and invertebrates to dine on.
Black-crowned Night Heron
As the name would suggest, the Black-crowned Night Heron is a denizen of the dark— although they can often be seen hunting during the day as well. Another species that can be seen across the globe, they have also been observed using “bait” like their green cousins. You may sometimes catch their bark-like calls if your in a park after dark during the summer!
