Bryant Park Woodcock Becomes Major Manhattan Attraction

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The American woodcock, a small migratory bird known for its unique bobbing gait, has become a major attraction in New York City's Bryant Park this spring. Crowds of tourists and locals have been gathering to catch a glimpse of the nocturnal bird, which typically arrives in the area in mid-March to rest and feed during its seasonal migration.

Why it matters

The sudden popularity of the woodcock in Bryant Park highlights the public's fascination with urban wildlife and the ability of even small, common birds to captivate city-dwellers. The influx of visitors also demonstrates the park's role as a green oasis in the heart of Midtown Manhattan, providing a temporary home for migratory species.

The details

According to Liz Riegel, a birdwalk guide at Bryant Park, crowds of 50 people or more have been gathering around the woodcocks at any given time over the past couple of weeks. The small, round birds are best known for their distinctive bobbing gait as they walk on the ground, a behavior that has inspired numerous social media videos set to music.

• The American woodcock typically arrives in the Bryant Park area in mid-March each year.
• The birds have been drawing large crowds to the park for the past couple of weeks.

What they’re saying