BIRD CITY

A primer on New York City birds for experts and beginners alike.

Goldberg, an independent journalist whose work has been featured in the New York Times, has been watching birds since only 2016, yet it didn’t take long for it to become an obsession. The author goes birding almost every day near his home in Brooklyn, and these experiences serve as jumping-off points for a wide range of birding topics. An early chapter covering house sparrows and European starlings delves into the history of these invasive species and how to consider their place among native species. A later chapter on fall migrants covers how the artificial lights of cities draw birds in and cause them to collide with buildings. This is an informative and easy read, and Goldberg’s experience as a journalist stands out. He succinctly and expertly renders the colorful birds and birders he comes across, such as the secretive Owl Whisperer, the controversial Birding Bob, and New York’s celebrity owl, Flaco. In addition to a wealth of information, he doesn’t shy away from poetic descriptions, such as this one about a peregrine falcon: “Her dark helmet matched the gunpowder color of the cross, and she sank her yellow talons into the pigeon as she tore it apart. Twenty minutes later, all that remained of the pigeon was a skeleton, which the peregrine unceremoniously flicked off the cross. Then she faced the cold wind and kept watch over the neighborhood the rest of the day, flying away at dusk.” The book rarely leaves New York, so Goldberg’s experiences might not appeal as much to birders in other parts of the world. But his enthusiasm for birds makes this an enjoyable read for anyone looking to learn about urban birding.

An informative read for any birder, and a must-read for New York City ones.