Every year, bird-watching enjoys a huge surge in popularity during the spring. But, if you weren’t among the throngs who flocked to this hobby amid the city’s greenest months, it’s not too late to start now. One of our favorite things about winter, the “quiet season” on the High Line, is that it becomes easier to both see and hear the birds along the park as the lush growth goes dormant and the crowds do too.

While about half of the more than 650 species of North American birds migrate to warmer climates for the coldest period of the year, the other half hunker down and stick it out. This means that the High Line retains many of its resident birds during the winter months and also gains a few feathered tourists from as far away as Canada. In addition to seeing year-round New Yorkers, such as pigeons, cardinals, falcons, robins, blue jays, and mockingbirds in the park, you may also suddenly see some unexpected visitors.

Winter is the season when all these birds need us most. To make the park as hospitable as possible during the months of scarcity, the High Line’s horticulturists leave plants intact throughout the season, which means the seed heads of perennials like coneflowers, goldenrods, and asters continue to provide valuable food sources along the park. When you consider fall- and winter-fruiting native shrubs and trees like winterberry (pictured above), blackgum, red cedar, and sumac, the High Line is a delectable buffet for birds during the colder months of the year.

The food the High Line serves up for our avian friends is also 100% organic. By not using chemical pesticides, which have been well documented by ornithologists to decimate bird populations, we are supporting the health of these vital contributors to our ecosystem. The High Line’s tall, ornamental grasses also provide excellent habitat for winter birds that like to stay close to the ground. Look closely and you may see some dark-eyed juncos and white-throated sparrows (the latter of which only winters in NYC before returning north) taking respite from the cold.

“While we love seeing our fine-feathered friends all year long, it’s very rewarding to know that our ‘structural seed skeletons’ that make winter so visually engaging also help to feed many bird species through the long winter,” says Richard Hayden, Senior Director of Horticulture. “Plus, the mostly bare trees and bushes really put our winter birds on beautiful display!”

The best part of seeing any of these birds in winter is their adorably chunky appearance—but this can’t be fully credited to the feast our gardens provide. This delightful bird chub is more akin to a winter coat than a holiday season spare tire.

Much like humans do, birds use layers to protect themselves from the cold. An outer layer of contour feathers protects birds from wind and moisture, while an inner layer of down feathers traps air to hold in body heat. When a bird fluffs up its feathers, it is loosening them so that a maximum amount of air can be trapped between feathers, improving insulation on a cold day.

Now that you have the science, let’s enjoy the fluff.

American robin, Turdus migratorius. Photo by Steven Severinghaus.

Pigeon, Columba livia. Photo by Mike Tschappat.

Northern cardinal, Cardinalis cardinalis. Photo by Steven Severinghaus.

Mourning dove, Zenaida macroura. Photo by Oliver Rich.

We encourage you to venture over to the High Line to enjoy some fluffy friends like these up close. When you do, please tag us @highlinenyc in any photos you post online, so that we can share in the fun!