Information on Rockefeller State Park Preserve’s Many Bird Species
One of the things I’ve grown to appreciate spending time at Rockefeller State Park Preserve in Pleasantville, NY is the number of bird species I can see at the Park. Having hiked hundreds of miles there in the past few years I’ve found there are very few trips when I come home without any pictures of birds. Sometimes these are just the “regular birds” that are in the park year-round and are the subjects of many of my photographs. Other times I’ve been able to capture a bird that is brand new to me, or one in a special pose or surrounding.
While hiking and photographing birds I began doing more research into their habitats, eating habits, migration patterns, and other things that make a species unique. I’ve created the posts in this section to provide what I’ve learned in case it helps others who visit the park. Certainly, there are more definitive sources so this content is considered a starting point. Hope you enjoy the posts!
Frequently Asked Questions About The American Goldfinch
Frequently Asked Questions About the American Goldfinch TL;DR Year-round residents at Rockefeller State Park Preserve Fascinating to track and photograph because of dramatic seasonal plumage changes Late spring/summer: males bright yellow with black and white…
Frequently Asked Questions About Northern Mockingbirds
Frequently Asked Questions About the Northern Mockingbird TL;DR • One of the “four-season” birds at Rockefeller State Park Preserve in Pleasantville, NY—present year-round • Found in many parts of the park, particularly in bushes and trees in and…
Frequently Asked Questions About the Red-Winged Blackbird
Frequently Asked Questions About the Red-Winged Blackbird TL;DR • The arrival of Red-Winged Blackbirds (agelaius phoeniceus) means the spring bird migration is on its way to Rockefeller State Park Preserve • Found all over the park, but fields around…
Frequently Asked Questions About The Eastern Bluebird
Frequently Asked Questions About the Eastern Bluebird TL;DR Eastern Bluebirds are found in many parts of Rockefeller State Park Preserve, but I’ve observed them most on the Overlook, Farm Meadow, and Canter Alley trails, where nesting boxes attract them from early to…
Frequently Asked Questions About The Red-Tailed Hawk
Frequently Asked Questions About the Red-Tailed Hawk TL;DR Red-Tailed Hawks (buteo jamaicensis) are North America’s most common hawk and my most-photographed at Rockefeller State Park Preserve, where the preserve is home to many species, including Bald Eagles,…
Frequently Asked Questions About the Great Blue Heron
Frequently Asked Questions About the Great Blue Heron Where will I most likely find Great Blue Herons? Great Blue Herons are found near virtually any body of water—lakes, rivers, marshes, coastal areas, and even suburban ponds—across most of North America. They’re…
Frequently Asked Questions About The Northern Cardinal
Frequently Asked Questions About the Northern Cardinal TL;DR Northern Cardinals are found year-round at Rockefeller State Park Preserve My favorite birds to photograph because of their bright colors and personalities Crest position changes depending on what they’re…
What I Learned Watching Birds Brave Winter at Rockefeller State Park Preserve
TL:DR Ducks and geese stay warm through countercurrent heat exchange in their legs, waterproof feathers, fat stores, and group huddling that also prevents ice formation. Small birds survive winter by trapping air in puffed-up down feathers, rapidly building fat stores…
How Birds Handle the Heat: Summer Behavior at Rockefeller State Park Preserve
Introduction It’s hot in Westchester County today, June 24, 2025—temperatures are reaching 100°F! I decided not to go to the park today because of the heat, but if you’re out hiking or birdwatching at Rockefeller State Park Preserve in Pleasantville, NY, you may…
Snapping Turtles at Swan Lake: What You Might See and Why
Spot a snapping turtle at Swan Lake in Rockefeller State Park Preserve? Learn why they’re out of the water, what not to do, and fascinating facts about these ancient reptiles.