Is New York Is A Prime Bird Watching State?

You better believe NYS is, but just how prime? Well, the Empire State's ranking when it comes to catching a glimpse of some prime birds is quite commendable, we're talking top five status here. This ranking comes in just in time for an feathered friend-based holiday that is quickly approaching, too. April 26th is National Go Birding Day...so ahead of the holiday, let's make sure you're prepared!

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The Sights Of The Empire State

New York State is dominant in a lot of areas that include taking in breathtaking views, right? Known for our leaf-peeping during the fall, and then of course the sights around the state like Niagra Falls, historic landmarks and the New York City skyline in general.

Now, let's add bird watching to the list.

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While comparing bird species, endemic bird species, birdwatching groups and number of Audubon centers and sanctuaries, Lawn Love analyzed the data and determined that New York ranks at number four when compared to other states for birdwatching. Some of the 'feather-focused' categories include climate, popularity, variety, visibility, and access.

'Feathered Finds' - State By State

New York, sitting at fourth place overall with a score of 46.04 wasn't all that far behind when compared to top ranked California with 57.08 points out of a total of 100. Not a surprise, New York ranked second for number of National and State Parks with 247 total, which gives birds plenty of room to roam.

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NY also ranked second for number of Audubon Centers and Sanctuaries across the state, and data indicated that a total of 305 nests were found in the state in 2024. Additional details and a breakdown, state by state, can be found below:

Florida and Hawaii sit at the top of the list when it comes to high numbers of endemic bird species, and Louisiana and Massachusetts are tied for top states for birding organizations. You can see specific breakdowns and more data by state here.

There's a bird making big headlines in the Hudson Valley, have you spotted it for yourself?