New York City is always on the go, at any given day and in any given time you can find something exciting happening here. This time of year, the Christmas decorations usually top it all, but this year a little bird was the symbol of holiday spirit and the best attraction this city had to offer.
On November 29, a birder named Keir Randall, noticed a very colorful bird near Prospect Park's LaFrak Skating Rink. He saw a small bird, at a size of a sparrow, with multiple colors: blue, red, yellow and green. In the New York area it is impossible to find a bird with so many colors. Sure, we have the Northern Cardinal and the Blue Jay, but their bright colors are not to be confused with this rainbow-like visitor.
"When I first tried to photograph it, I was literally shaking so much I had to calm myself down to get the shot", Randall said. The identification of this colorful bird was a no-brainer, it was the Painted Bunting. It is a fairly common species to spot breeding in the coastal southeast and south-central US, but its rarely found in New York.
This beautiful male is one of only 10 birds of this species to have arrived to NYC since 1927, according to data compiled by the New York State Avian Records Committee. This is the first adult male Painted Bunting to ever visit Brooklyn. A female was spotted visiting Brooklyn at 1999. Since Randall found this bird, every day, at least 100 enthusiasts birders and locals came to see the latest celebrity in NYC.
The first time I went to see this little rainbow, I saw more reporters than birders. Channel 2, Channel 5, reporters and photographers from the New York Times were all surrounded the little celebrity, while the birders took a step back. Some of the reporters interviewed the birders and I overheard some parts of the conversation, including: "People are losing their s--t over this bird" and "It is like a unicorn emerging from the fog". After that day, the news about the most colorful bird in North America were making waves outside of the US and made it all the way to London and even (with a little help from my Hebrew blog) to Israel.
Surprisingly, the flying rainbow didn't care too much about all the commotion around him. He was hopping on the ground gathering food. This is probably his first year of migrating, which can somewhat explain his unusual route.
Even though the reporters got the upper hand on viewing this guy, I defiantly got my fair share of view. Not once, but twice, he flew right towards me and set on a branch in a tree next to me. He made me feel very special. Usually he spends his time on the ground and completely blends in with the autumn leaf colors and vegetation. His favorite spot is the new grassy wildlife habitat by Lakeside Brooklyn, which was once a parking lot.
I took his photo while he was posing on the branch and then when he stood on the fence. It was a beautiful sight to behold. I was admiring his beauty until a Northern Mockingbird decided to chase him away from the scene.
The Painted Bunting is completely oblivious to his beauty and the happiness he brings to people hearts. I got very emotional the first (and second) time I saw him and I wasn't the only one. Although he is of small size he was able to bring people together as if they were one big happy family. Good luck little rainbow, I hope you will find your safe way to Florida soon!
On November 29, a birder named Keir Randall, noticed a very colorful bird near Prospect Park's LaFrak Skating Rink. He saw a small bird, at a size of a sparrow, with multiple colors: blue, red, yellow and green. In the New York area it is impossible to find a bird with so many colors. Sure, we have the Northern Cardinal and the Blue Jay, but their bright colors are not to be confused with this rainbow-like visitor.
"When I first tried to photograph it, I was literally shaking so much I had to calm myself down to get the shot", Randall said. The identification of this colorful bird was a no-brainer, it was the Painted Bunting. It is a fairly common species to spot breeding in the coastal southeast and south-central US, but its rarely found in New York.
This beautiful male is one of only 10 birds of this species to have arrived to NYC since 1927, according to data compiled by the New York State Avian Records Committee. This is the first adult male Painted Bunting to ever visit Brooklyn. A female was spotted visiting Brooklyn at 1999. Since Randall found this bird, every day, at least 100 enthusiasts birders and locals came to see the latest celebrity in NYC.
The first time I went to see this little rainbow, I saw more reporters than birders. Channel 2, Channel 5, reporters and photographers from the New York Times were all surrounded the little celebrity, while the birders took a step back. Some of the reporters interviewed the birders and I overheard some parts of the conversation, including: "People are losing their s--t over this bird" and "It is like a unicorn emerging from the fog". After that day, the news about the most colorful bird in North America were making waves outside of the US and made it all the way to London and even (with a little help from my Hebrew blog) to Israel.
Surprisingly, the flying rainbow didn't care too much about all the commotion around him. He was hopping on the ground gathering food. This is probably his first year of migrating, which can somewhat explain his unusual route.
Even though the reporters got the upper hand on viewing this guy, I defiantly got my fair share of view. Not once, but twice, he flew right towards me and set on a branch in a tree next to me. He made me feel very special. Usually he spends his time on the ground and completely blends in with the autumn leaf colors and vegetation. His favorite spot is the new grassy wildlife habitat by Lakeside Brooklyn, which was once a parking lot.
I took his photo while he was posing on the branch and then when he stood on the fence. It was a beautiful sight to behold. I was admiring his beauty until a Northern Mockingbird decided to chase him away from the scene.
The Painted Bunting is completely oblivious to his beauty and the happiness he brings to people hearts. I got very emotional the first (and second) time I saw him and I wasn't the only one. Although he is of small size he was able to bring people together as if they were one big happy family. Good luck little rainbow, I hope you will find your safe way to Florida soon! 