Looking for fun Christmas trivia for kids? These reindeer facts are just what you need
You know Dasher and Dancer and Comet and Vixen, but do you know that reindeer grow beards in the wintertime? We’ve rounded up some of the most fascinating, fun reindeer facts, just in time for Christmas. Looking for more trivia for kids? Check out our list here!
1. Rangifer tarandus is the scientific name for the animal we most commonly call reindeer. They are in the same family as deer, and there are more than a dozen subspecies.
2. In the wild, some reindeer travel more than 3000 miles in a single year.
3. In North America, reindeer are also known as caribou, although the current "taxonomic jury" is out on that all species of reindeer are caribou. Most people use the terms interchangeably.
4. Reindeer like it cold! They are native to Arctic and subarctic regions as well as tundra and boreal (read: snow, snow, snow!) to northern Europe, Siberia, and North America.
5. The indigenous people of Finland, the Saami, have more than 400 words for the food, tools, and other products taken from reindeer. Their word for reindeer, raingo, may be where the common name is derived.
6. Reindeer beards? In the winter time reindeer grow their facial hair long enough to cover their mouths, which protects their muzzles when grazing in the snow.
7. Male reindeer have louder calls than females. Males use a small pouch under the skin of their throats which they inflate to blast out a loud bellow.
9. For almost all kinds of reindeer, both male and female reindeer have antlers. Females shed their antlers when they give birth in the spring.
10. The Finnish Forest Reindeer, arguably the reindeer of Santa Claus fame, is the largest reindeer species. They are over 7 ½ feet long.
11. Finnish Forest Reindeer’s hooves have a special scoop that helps them forage through the snow for lichen and moss.
12. In warmer months, reindeer feast on grasses, mushrooms, and plants. In the winter they feast mainly on moss and lichen. Reindeer have a strong sense of smell, which helps them sniff out food underneath layers of snow.
13. In many cultures, Reindeer are used to pull sleds and sleighs. There's evidence of this dating back 7,000 years ago in Siberia!
14. Reindeer are covered in hair from their nose to the bottom of their hooves, which gives them a good grip in icy, snowy, and muddy terrain.
15. Reindeer travel in packs of 10 to several hundred. They generally follow food sources up to 1,000 miles, especially when it's tougher to find in winter.
Spring is here and the fish are jumping. Now is the perfect time time for your kids to experience their first catch! If you are looking for the perfect way to get your family out of the house and into nature, heading to a nearby fishing hole is the perfect way to spend a couple of hours or an entire day. There are spots in the city limits and spots a short drive away, depending on how much time you have to try to catch supper. If you aren’t sure where to drop your line, or just just need somewhere new to explore, read on for some of our favorite spots.
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Haldeman Pond
A small 2-acre pond that makes a great spot for kids to fish. It’s got good bank access with plenty of spots for little ones to try their lines. Hidden away in the middle of Sauvie Island makes the pond feel much further away than it actually is, giving you the illusion that you’ve truly escaped the city. It’s stocked around mid-spring, and can be fished all summer long. A parking permit is required for Sauvie Island.
Featured Fish: trout, crappie, bass, catfish. Location: 17 miles from Portland, off Oak Island Rd on Sauvie Island Online:mapcarta.com
Henry Hagg Lake
This sprawling lake outside Gaston, Oregon has plenty of room to stretch out! Try your luck at the fishing pier or from any bank, or jump in a boat and explore the deeper waters. Experts recommend fishing the “arms” of the lake either from a boat or the bank for the best chance to catch something. When the kids tire, they’ll find picnic grounds, restrooms, and the chance to swim, too.
Featured Fish: trout, bass, crappie, perch Location: 34 miles from Portland, past Forest Grove Online:recreation.gov
Commonwealth Lake
Within Beaverton City limits, this stocked lake offers kids a great chance to practice close to home. A flat paved trail circles the lake, and an ADA fishing platforms makes a perfect spot to cast on. You’ll also find a playground, a picnic area, and restrooms. License required.
Featured fish: trout, bass, bluegill, and crappie Location: 8 miles from Portland, off Highway 26 in Beaverton Online:thprd.org
Blue Lake Park
Stocked with a variety of species, this lake offers bank fishing or an ADA accessible dock along with beautiful views. Rent a boat to get out on the water, and when the kids are done fishing they can cool off in the swim area or the splash pad.
Featured Fish: trout, largemouth bass, crappie, bluegill, catfish, sunfish Location: 14 miles from Portland, off NE Marine Dr. Online: oregonmetro.gov
Canby Pond
Another spot reserved just for young anglers, Canby Pond is open to fishers 17 years old and younger, as well as those who have a Disabled Hunting and Fishing Permit. The pond is stocked and is popular in summer, though fishing is available year-round. Check online for a rotating schedule of events aimed at family fun.
Featured Fish: trout, largemough bass, crappie, bluegill Location: 25 miles from Portland, Off Highway 99E in Canby Online: bestfishinginamerica.com
via Pexels
Barton Park
A prime spot for fishing on the Clackamas River, this park offers good bank access and a boat ramp. Camping spots are available for an all-weekend excursion, and there are a few hiking trails to explore. The easy waters here make a great introduction to river fishing for beginners, and the gorgeous scenery doesn’t hurt, either!
Featured Fish: salmon, steelhead, fin-clipped trout Location: 26 miles from Portland. Off Highway 224 in Clackamas Online:clackamas.us/parks/barton
Bethany Pond
An easy to reach lake in Beaverton, this makes a great quick stop when you don’t have the whole day. The small pond is stocked with trout, bass, and more with warmwater species added year-round. While it won’t trick you into thinking you’re in the wilderness, it’s a sweet little spot that makes an easy trip for the little ones.
Featured Fish: trout, largemouth bass, crappie, bluegill, and bullhead Location: 12 miles from Portland, off Highway 26 in Beaverton Online:thprd.org
Rainbow Trout Farm
This beautiful location east of Sandy covers 30 acres and includes 10 fishing ponds. Everything is there to make it the easiest start for any beginner: poles, tackle, and tips. Afterward, you can clean it yourself at their facilities, or have them do it for you and put it on ice. No extra charge! The best part for beginners is that it’s practically impossible to *not* catch a fish at these ponds, so everyone will leave feeling great.
Ponds are dotted between meadows, trees, picnic grounds, and are wheelchair accessible. All stocked with rainbow trout-- no license required.
Featured Fish: Rainbow Trout Location: 52560 E. Sylvan Dr, Sandy, OR Online:rainbowtroutfarm.com
Commonwealth Lake Park
Nestled in the Cedar Hills neighborhood, between Walker Rd. and Hwy 26, 20-acre Commonwealth Lake Park surrounds man-made Commonwealth Lake. This stocked lake in neighborhood park great for kids who want to experience their first, second or 50th catch. . Fishing platform that is ADA accessible. The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife stocks the lake with trout, so your kids are likely to have a successful experience.
Featured Fish: Trout Location: SW Foothill and SW Huntington Online: thprd.org
There’s no denying Seattle is chock-full of green spaces and gorgeous views. But if you’re looking for a peaceful spot where you can picnic or let the kids roam, it doesn’t get better than our city’s botanical gardens. While you won’t find play equipment or splash pads here, you will find vibrant flowers, secret waterfalls and plenty of nooks and crannies to explore. If quiet time is what you’re craving before school starts, read on for the best places find it.
Located within the Washington Park Arboretum, this garden is a must-see no matter what the season. In summer, the colors are vibrant and surround visitors under blue skies. Kids will love the bridges to cross over, koi fish to spot and turtles to admire. It’s basically a wonderland of adventure for little explorers. In order to preserve the beauty of the park, picnics and pets are not allowed. You'll need timed tickets to visit Friday through Sunday and they must be purchased 24 hours in advance. Walk-in visits are welcomed on a first-come, first-served basis Tuesdays through Thursdays in the summer.
Admission: $8/Adults (18-64); $4/Youth (6-17), Seniors (65+); Free for kids 5 & under Hours: Times vary depending on the season, check their website for the specifics.
Home of the Miller Library (who else misses storytime there?), the Center for Urban Horticulture is a city refuge that's worth a visit if you've never been (or even if you have). It's part of the University of Washignton Botanic Gardens and also includes the Union Bay Natural Area along Lake Washington. Bring the kids to explore the 16-acre garden that includes Goodfellow Grove and the Fragrance Garden, that invites you to use your sense of smell as well as sight. Although the buildings are currently closed, families will still find plenty to do here.
Located adjacent to the popular Hiram M. Chittenden Locks, this garden may be small in size, but it’s big on ambiance and green space. You’ll find English-style gardens and historical architecture. After exploring the garden, keep the fun going by checking out the nearby fish ladder and boats. We’re sure your little sidekick won’t mind at all!
This beauty located in South Seattle covers 20 acres and combines Japanese gardens with plants local to the Northwest. It is an impressive mix of hills, valleys, streams, ponds, bridges and plants. Kids will love seeing what's around the next corner and finding the hidden waterfall then hiking to the top (it's the perfect distance for little legs) where they can take in the view. There are no drinking fountains here, so be sure to pack drinks to keep the wee ones hydrated. Dogs are allowed as long as they are on a leash.
Located on the campus of South Seattle Community College high atop a hill in West Seattle, this little-known botanic garden is a true hidden gem. After you enter through the ornate entrance, you'll feel like you've been transported to another world among the blossoming plants, stones and water features that showcase traditional Chinese garden elements. Whether you tour the grounds or just find a quiet place to sit and relax, you'll be glad you made the trip.
You're probably familiar with Woodland Park Zoo, but do you know about the secret garden (a.k.a. Woodland Park Rose Garden) located nearby? It is full of rose bushes, hidden pathways, butterflies and birds. For inquisitive kiddos, be sure to check out the sensory garden where it’s possible to smell and touch different plants and flowers. And be sure to find the center pond and count how many water lilies you can spot.
Good to know: The ideal time to visit for the best blossoms is May-August.
First built in 1912, this over 100-year-old garden complete with a glass-paned greenhouse is an awesome way to spend a day, rain or shine. You’ll see many varieties of plants including cacti, ferns and other carnivorous plants. Each plant has a brief summary beneath it, so it’s not only a cool place to hang, but also educational. Fun and learning is a win-win in our book!
Good to know: Volunteer Park Conservatory is still closed to the public, but has plans to reopen September 1, 2021.
Few people know about this quaint garden located on Queen Anne, but it’s one definitely worth checking out when the need to become one with nature strikes. It may be small, but it is big on green foliage and beautiful flowers. Plus, you can’t beat the view of the city from the popular Kerry Park located right across the street.
A beautiful 53-acre garden located in the heart of Bellevue that has a suspension bridge? Sounds amazing, right? We couldn’t agree more, which is why we highly suggest checking out this garden full of dahlias, rhododendrons, ferns, roses and so much more. Take the Tateuchi Loop Trail and be sure to look for the troll house. Psst...for a completely different experience, check out Garden d’Lights, the garden's stunning light show that runs from the end of November until the first of January.
If roses are one of your faves, be sure to check out this piece of heaven in Tacoma that's just down the hill from the Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium. It boasts over an acre of rose bushes, the oldest dating back to 1895. In addition to roses, you’ll also find a wishing well and picturesque gazebos, and a six-story slide that's just across the way. Grab your cameras and plan on staying awhile!
This Shoreline garden, set in a wooded area over 4 acres, will make you feel as though you are in the mountains rather than the city. With over 2,000 species to see and learn about, you’ll most likely need to visit again and again to cover everything. Pack your hiking shoes and get ready to learn about native Northwest plants and exotic plant species not common to our area. Psst...check their website to learn about fun events suitable for the whole family.
20312 15th Ave. N.W. Shoreline, WA 98177 206-546-1281 Online: kruckeberg.org
Admission: Free Hours: Fri.-Sun., 10 a.m.-5 p.m. (Mar. through Oct.); Fri.-Sun., 10 a.m.-3 p.m. (Nov. through Feb.)
This hidden gem located one mile north of the SeaTac Airport might not get a lot of attention, but it is one of the top botanical gardens around. A few of the highlights are Elda Behm’s Paradise Garden and the Seike Japanese Garden. Psst... dogs are allowed here, so bring that pandemic pooch along (remember your leash, please).
This Federal Way attraction is one of the largest rhododendron gardens in the world that showcases over 700 of the 1,000 species. In addition to rhodies, you’ll find azaleas, a bonsai garden, an iris field, a fern garden, a conservatory and blue poppies. Bring a pair of good walking shoes and get ready to do some good ol' plant learning.
Good to Know: Peak bloom time for the rhododendrons is mid-March through mid-May.
Admission: $8/Adults; $5/Seniors and Students with an I.D.; Free for kids 12 & under and military personnel Hours: Tues.-Sun., 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; Closed Mon.
Move over Mane 6, there’s a new batch of ponies in town! Say hello to My Little Pony: A New Generation.
In the new Netflix movie, Equestria has lost its magic! Now, all the ponies live separated according to their species, which means earth ponies, unicorns and pegasi no longer live together in friendship.
photo: Courtesy of Netflix
Earth Pony Sunny (Vanessa Hudgens) won’t let that stop her from trying to bring the world back together in unity. She pairs up with Unicorn Izzy (Kimiko Glenn) on an adventure that takes them to new places to meet new faces, like Pegasi Pipp (Sofia Carson), Zip (Liza Koshy) and Earth Pony Hitch (James Marsden).
Can the new Mane 5 use their own talents to bring Equestria back together? You can find out when the film debuts on Netflix on Sept. 24, 2021.
Connect with nature in San Diego by going to a place where it’s fiercely protected. Nature preserves, nature reserves, refuges and sanctuaries are all designated areas that serve as a haven for wildlife, plants and lands. You’ll find a rich diversity of endangered birds, habitats from marshes to wetlands to forests, and even a rare native tree that only grows in La Jolla. By conserving rare habitats, the survival of native plant and animal species are preserved and public opportunities to view and connect with nature can be treasured for our future generations.
Here are a few tips about venturing into protected lands:
Stay on designated trails.
Take only pictures.
Pack out what you pack in.
All of these places still require face masks, social distancing and hand washing/sanitizing.
Breathe in the fresh air and marvel at the beauty around you.
Quite possibly the most scenic preserve in the country is this one at Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve. Hike through our nation’s rarest pine trees and you’ll see wind-sculpted trees atop cliffs overlooking the ocean. The old pueblo visitor’s center used to be a restaurant when it first opened in 1923. Come here any season to find the beauty of wildflowers in the spring and California quail in the winter. The Guy Fleming Trail 2/3 miles loop is the easiest for kiddos and if you take the Beach Trail ¾ mile to Flat Rock you’ll find a set of stairs down to the beach (this one is best for older kids).
Caution: Due to unstable cliffs, keep kids away from the ledges whether you’re hiking up top or on the beach below. If you get to the beach, make sure you time it 2-3 hours before or after high tide when there’s more sand space to keep away from the cliffs.
Hours: daily 7:15 a.m. - Sunset Cost: $12-$25 per car
Torrey Pines State Reserve 12600 N Torrey Pines Rd., La Jolla 858-755-2063 Online: parks.ca.gov
BYO Binoculars to this peaceful bird preserve managed by the San Diego Audubon Society. This is an 11 acre site that was left by the Anstine’s to the city of Vista. There are bridges to cross, planks to walk, a stream, a pond and benches to sit and be still while you look and listen to the birds singing all around. It’s a short loop trail that could take anywhere from 15-40 minutes depending on how fast your kids walk.
Over 2,000 acres along the southern end of the San Diego Bay are preserved for waterfowl and shorebirds that stop here to rest during their migrations. There are trails all around the southern Bayshore for biking, walking, jogging and birdwatching. This is also the site of a large collaboration between the Living Coast Discovery Center, Sea World and the San Diego Zoo to run a breeding program for the endangered light-footed clapper rail. It’s a historical area as well, where the Kumeyaay people first used the area for fishing, hunting and gathering. By protecting these wetlands, it provides an opportunity for the public to observe birds and wildlife in their native habitats.
Tip: While you can view this refuge from many areas along the bay, one of my favorite places (as seen above) can be easily accessed here: 536 13th St., Imperial Beach
Hours: Sunrise-Sunset Cost: Free
San Diego Bay National Wildlife Refuge 1080 Gunpowder Point Dr., Chula Vista 619-476-9150 Online: fws.gov/refuges
At the southernmost tip of San Diego is one of the most serene places that few people know about. Where the Tijuana River meets the sea is where you’ll find the Tijuana Slough with over 2,000 acres of wetlands. Over 370 bird species have been observed there with 5 of them being endangered species that are regularly seen. This area is not only host to shorebirds, but the small tidal creeks provide a habitat for their meals such as fish, clams, crabs and worms. You can walk along the upper and lower estuaries. The best views are just before sunset, a.k.a. feeding time.
Tip: The visitor center and native plant gardens have interactive exhibits, guided bird and nature walks and a junior ranger program.
One of San Diego’s largest wetlands, this reserve is mostly a shallow-water estuary where inland creeks meet the ocean. Incoming tides twice a day fill the lagoon with salt water and food for the shorebirds that stop here along their migration. More than 40 percent of all North American bird species have been spotted here, making this an important habitat to protect. You can explore 7 miles of easy trails around the lagoon and the visitor center has live animal exhibits, displays and education.
Tip: Just outside the visitor center you’ll find a ¾ mile ADA accessible loop trail with good views of birds foraging in the salt marsh and mud flats.
Hours: daily 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Cost: Free
San Elijo Lagoon Ecological Reserve 2710 Manchester Ave., Cardiff 760-634-3026 Online: sdparks.org
Known for being the crown jewel of the San Diego Audubon Society, this wildlife sanctuary is usually booked up months in advance for hikes, guided walks, bird watching, research and connecting with nature. While you’re exploring 5 miles of trails, you’ll be joined by wild life all around you. Bird species like owls, eagles, hawks, woodpeckers and mockingbirds will be up in the air, but look down for mammals, amphibians and reptiles; which are more active in the spring and early summer.
Tip: 1/3 mile from the parking lot is a shaded observation area that attracts birds and small mammals. Those with physical limitations can be driven to this area.
Hours: Sundays 9 a.m.-4 p.m. (closed Aug. & Sept. due to fire danger) Advance registration is required online Cost: Free
Scenic mountain and ocean views can be seen from this unique watershed habitat. With the Escondido Creek flowing year-round, it provides a unique home for plants and animals. With 11 miles of trails, picnic spots and views, there are plenty of options to enjoy nature here. During open hours, visit the interpretive center to see green design elements like recycled building materials, a green living roof and permanent art installations.
Take your time meandering along this wide, easy to navigate, flat trail located in Poway. The first mile of the hike begins under the shade of beautiful oak trees and is a perfect, comfortable jaunt for you and the kiddos, big and small. You can gauge whether it’s time to stop once the trail begins to climb steeply uphill in full sun. Take a picnic to enjoy at the picnic tables at the end of the shaded trail. Stay on the path to avoid poison oak. Easy parking in the lot.
Disney’s Animal Kingdom has a new resident: a baby mandrill! Say hello to Ivy, born on Apr. 10 to first time parents, Hazel and Linus.
Ivy’s name matches her other family members who have quite the colorful lineup: Olive, Scarlett, Snow and Hazel. Want to catch a glimpse of the adorable primate? See the video below?
In case you aren’t familiar with mandrills, they are a West African Baboon with a brightly colored red and blue face. They are actually the largest species of monkeys, even though Ivy entered the world at just one to two pounds.
According to Disney, mom and baby are doing great and can be seen at the Kilimanjaro Safaris within the park. Ivy’s birth marks a fourth generation of mandrills from the same family at the park, as Disney continues to work with the Association of Zoos and Aquariums on Species Survival Plans.
Birding, or birdwatching, is the type of thing that you don’t really notice if you’re not aware of it; if you are, you see it everywhere—either in the form of birds roosting and passing through, or people pointing cameras with really big lenses skyward. Believe it or not, NYC is a fantastic place for birding, and birdwatching is a great activity to do with kids. And now, on the cusp of the annual spring migration, is a superb time to start. Read on for our guide to birding with kids in NYC—where to do it, when to do it, and who can help!
The NYC Family Guide to Birding: Where to Start
Joshua Bright
Birding is an excellent way to pass the time since it can really be done from anywhere. The activity gained a lot of new fans over the past year, as people slowed down and looked outside for things to do. (It's also relatively affordable.)
NYC is home to over 200 species of birds that visit regularly, while more than 200 more species of varying levels of rarity have been spotted by birders over the years. With so many types of birds to discover, where do you even start?
We reached out to Lily Lasovick of the NYC Audubon Society for some words of wisdom for budding birders. Her first bit of advice? "Go birding as often as you can! The best way to improve your bird identification skills is through practice."
Take that first step by just heading outside and observing. You might be surprised at how many more birds you spot than the omnipresent sparrow and pigeon. In this author's Brooklyn neighborhood, for instance, it's not uncommon to see vibrant red (and a duller brown female) cardinals, hear the plaintive meowing call of the bluejay, or watch a mockingbird bomb-dive an unlucky cat who wandered too far into the bird's domain.
Another aspect of bird watching that can help you get started is to become a part of the community. According to Lasovick, "if you see another birder or a group of people birding, do not be afraid to go up to them and ask what they are looking at or what they have seen. Birders are friendly people and like to share their knowledge of birds. Learning from others is another great way to improve your birding skills."
Supplies List: What You'll Need for an Enhanced Birding Experience
Diane Helentjaris via Unsplash
To go bird watching, all you really need are your eyes and ears! You don't need any special equipment at all to enjoy birding. However, if you want to support your birding with some add-ons, consider these options:
Binoculars: To bring the tree-tops a little closer to you, a good pair of binoculars at a magnification of x8 or x10 can definitely be helpful. However, if you're birding with kids, binoculars may be more distracting than useful, says Audubon's Lasovick. "Binoculars are great, but definitely not necessary for birding, especially with young children. Young children tend to have difficulty using them and instead of looking or listening for birds, they get preoccupied or frustrated with the binoculars. Instead, I would focus on looking and listening to their surroundings using just their eyes and ears."
A field guide to Eastern North American or NYC Birds: To help you and your kids identify the birds you spot, you might want to pick up a field guide for the birds of your area. A good guide has colorful illustrations or photos of the birds and descriptions (or recordings!) of bird calls. Your field guide can take the form of a book like "The Sibley Field Guide to Birds of Eastern North America." Or, you can install an app like eBird or Merlin for a more portable and even social option. Lasovic notes that having a bird field guide "allows you to show [kids] close-up pictures of the birds they are seeing and provides an opportunity to discuss field marks."
Migration charts: Migration charts note when you're likely to find a certain type of bird. The NYC Audubon Society has an NYC bird migration chart that doubles as a checklist (more on this in a moment) and includes information from the time of year to how common or uncommon sightings are.
A checklist or "life list": Most birders keep a list of the birds they've seen, noting the type of bird they saw, as well as where and when they saw it. Checklists can help teach kids how to take good notes and look for patterns. Keeping a list is a great way to gamify the experience for kids — after all, who doesn't want to "catch 'em all"?
Birding 101: When, How, and Where to Birdwatch in NYC
Once you've familiarized yourself with your local birds, you can become more involved in your birding adventure and learn how to optimize the experience or even find specific birds. Become familiar with when, where, and how to bird-watch:
When to Birdwatch?
Consider these factors when choosing when to go out birding:
Time of day: Birds are most active in the early morning and late afternoon, so those are the best times of day to head out for a stroll.
Weather: No one likes being outside in terrible weather, not even birds. During very hot, very cold, and stormy days, birds tend to stick close to shelter. If it's a nice day for a leisurely walk, it's probably a nice day to bird-watch, too!
Time of year: While some birds live in NYC all year round, we do see many migrating birds arrive in the spring. Spring is also a good time to see young birds and nesting behaviors. Other birds, on the other hand, pass by during their fall migration and can be only briefly spotted in early or late fall. Having a migration chart will help you know what kinds of birds to look for in different seasons.
How to Birdwatch?
There are a few safety and etiquette rules you should be aware of when you begin bird watching, especially if you're birding with children. The NYC Parks birding guide recommends following their guide to safe birding:
Watch birds from a distance
Don't stress out the birds, even if it means you won't get the best photo op
Don't stray from park trails and paths, to avoid damaging the birds' habitat
It's illegal to take nests, eggs, and even feathers
Don't "adopt" birds, even if you think you're helping - often, baby birds found outside their nests are fledglings who aren't in any danger and their mother is nearby
Where to bird-watch?
While anywhere is a good place to find birds, there are a few noteworthy spots around NYC with some excellent birding opportunities. We'll go into them in more depth below!
Where to Birdwatch with Kids in NYC
Central Park Conservancy
Go local
"Do not underestimate what birds you can find in your local park," says Lasovic, especially during fall and spring migration!" Your local park or even just your neighborhood can be a treasure trove of fowl friends. Find links to birding resources at these parks below.
Visit NYC parks
Once you've gotten to know your local birds, you can expand your birding territory to the bigger NYC parks, all of which provide excellent opportunities to spot new birds. "Venturing to larger parks like Central Park, Van Cortlandt Park, and Prospect Park provide the opportunity to see a greater variety of birds," notes Lasovic. "I recommend doing this after becoming familiar with the more common birds such as House Sparrows, European Starlings, and American Robins."
If you just want to grow your checklist, you might want to head out to parks that are known to house many different types of birds. For example:
Central Park (Manhattan): NYC's iconic Central Park sees over 210 different birds every year, from wading birds like Blue Herons and Great Egrets in the park's ponds, to songbirds like warblers and different types of sparrows and finches in the ramble. The Central Park website has a guide to birding within the park, including a list of the most popular bird-watching spots.
Pelham Bay Park (Bronx): Pelham Bay Park is a popular destination for birds in mid-migration. It's also an excellent place to spot birds not as common in other parts of NYC, like Baltimore and Orchard Orioles. In the spring, the park is an excellent time to spot nesting Yellow Warblers and hear other types of warblers. You can even find a few types of owls in this park!
Great Kills Park (Staten Island): The mudflats, beaches, marshes, and woodlands of Great Kills Park make it a great place to find a variety of birds, from songbirds to raptors like Ospreys
Prospect Park (Brooklyn): Within the wooded areas of Prospect Park, you can spot smaller birds like warblers, vireos, and songbirds. Check out the many types of waterfowl, as well, from the common Mallard Duck and Mute Swan to the lesser-known Wood Duck, American Coot, and many more. Nearby Green-wood Cemetery is also a very popular spot for birders, with more than 185 species of migratory birds stopping over each year. Go on your own, or check out Green-wood's Birding in Peace walks.
Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge Center (Queens): This bird and wildlife sanctuary boasts over 12,600 acres of varied terrain, from beaches and marshes to freshwater and brackish water ponds. It's one of the largest bird habitats in the northeastern US! Stop by for a hike and to watch and listen to the many different types of birds that make their homes in the different biomes of the sanctuary. Be on the lookout for osprey nests and young ospreys in the spring!
You can find even more information about birding in NYC's biggest parks by consulting the NYC parks guide to birding, which lists some of the city's most popular parks and their birding attractions.
Are you looking for a specific bird to add to your life list? Tweet @NYCParks with your question to get some guidance! The Audubon Society's checklists and resources can also be a big help here.
Bring the Birds To You!
Mimi O'Connor
Want to continue your birding adventure at home? You can bring the birds to you by setting up a standing or hanging bird feeder in your backyard, or setting up a clear feeder at your window. It might take the birds some time to find the new feeder, but once they do you'll be able to enjoy watching birds from your own home!
How to Make Bird Watching Educational and Fun for Kids
Birding can be very fun on its own, but you can make it even more fun — and educational! — for kids with the following tips:
Make each bird-watching trip into a quest! For example, you can play bird bingo or challenge your kids to find three different kinds of birds on your walk. The Cornell Ornithology website has these and many other ideas to check out.
Encourage your kids to keep an explorer's notebook where they can write about or draw the birds and nature you come across. For a more guided experience, Cornell has an explorer's guidebook you can purchase and follow along with.
Turn each walk into a learning experience with Cornell's K-12 resources, which includes downloadables and free lesson plans, along with additional teaching material for purchase.
For a more guided experience, NYC Parks hosts birding walks with the Urban Rangers throughout the year, guiding families to the best birding spots and teaching about the different types of birds you see along the way. You can also go birding in the Bronx at Wave Hill, where birdwatching outings are held in all seasons.
• Prospect Park is home to the Prospect Park Audubon Center, which in non-pandemic times hosts bird-related programming; the center has also loaned out Discovery packs with binoculars, a magnifying glass and journal for visitors to use.
Finally, you can keep up to date with what the local birdies are up to by following some active Twitter accounts for your borough, like @BirdsBrooklyn and @BirdBrklyn for Brooklyn dwellers.
A very special animal just made her grand debut! After a 14-month pregnancy (yes, 14 long, long, long months) new mom K’tusha the okapi gave birth to a baby girl at the Chester Zoo in the United Kingdom.
If you’re not familiar with the okapi, that’s okay. The okapi is an unusual animal that lives in the rainforest regions of Central Africa. The only living relative of the giraffe, the okapi has the large, upright ears of its long-necked cousin—but white and black zebra-like stripes on its hindquarters.
The zoo’s staff names the young okapi Nia Nia, after the village at the center of the Okapi Wildlife Reserve. This area, located in the Democratic Republic of Congo, is the only place where this awesome animal lives naturally.
The new member of the Chester Zoo family took her first steps for the world to see recently. The zoo’s CCTV cameras caught Nia Nia in action, as she strolled outside with her doting mama.
Nick Davis, Deputy Curator of Mammals at the zoo, said of the okapi, in a press release, “These gentle creatures have been heavily targeted by poachers in recent years, mainly as a result of the illegal bushmeat trade, which is growing across nearly all of its natural range – making conservation efforts to protect these animals really difficult…so not only is Nia Nia’s arrival an important moment for us, it’s an important moment for the species.”
Visit the Chester Zoo’s website here for more info on this amazing okapi.
These animal facts for kids will help the whole family learn more about the wild side of things
Sharks don’t have bones. Sloths are great swimmers. Monkeys can go for several days without water! Yup, kids love learning and there’s nothing like a few fun and wacky facts to amuse them. From the three-toed sloth to the unicorn of the sea, we’ve gathered some fun facts about animals that kids will love.
1. Sharks have been around for over 400 million years.
2. There are more than 470 species of sharks.
3. Sharks do not actually hunt humans or consider humans food. Sharks incidents occur when sharks are hunting for seals, dolphins or other "human-sized" prey. It's a case of mistaken identity!
4. The goblin shark is considered the ugliest shark in the world.
5. The shape of a hammerhead shark's head actually improves their vision.
6. There are nine species of hammerhead sharks around the world.
7. The Great Hammerhead can weigh as much as 1000 lbs. and be as long as 20 feet
8. Most sharks live around 25 years but some can live as long as 100.
9. Sharks do not have bones. Their skeleton is made of cartilage.
1. There are three species of Manatee (Trichechus). They are the West African manatee (T. senegalensis), the Amazonian manatee (T. inunguis) and the West Indian manatee (T. manatus). The West Indian manatee is the species seen frequenting the Florida Coast.
2. The common nickname for the manatee is the sea cow.
3. Manatees are believed to account for at least some of the early-explorer’s mermaid sightings.
4. They can reach 13-feet long and weigh as much as 3,000 pounds.
5. But don’t be fooled by their size: they are gentle giants. They graze on water grasses, weeds and algae. They are the only aquatic herbivore.
6. In fact, an adult manatee can eat 1/10 of its weight in a day.
7. Manatees use their flippers to walk along the bottom of the body of water, feeling for food. When they find it, they scoop it up toward their mouths with their flipper.
8. Manatees are mammals, and they have one baby every two to five years. The babies are born underwater. Females are pregnant for about 1 year. The young nurse for 1-½-2 years.
9. Manatees live in the water but they need air to survive. They surface every few minutes when active and can stay under for as long as 20 minutes if still.
10. Babies need help getting up to the surface for their first breath. Shortly after birth they are able to swim on their own: usually within an hour.
11. Most mammals have seven neck vertebrae but the both the manatee and the sloth have just six. This means that manatees can’t turn their heads.
12. Besides the dugong, the manatee's closest living relative is the elephant.
13. Manatees can actually swim up to 20 MPH.
14. Manatees face a number of dangers in their native waters: boating accidents can harm or even kill manatees and things like plastics in the water can cause health problems. You can learn more about how to protect manatees even if you live thousands of miles away, by visiting Save the Manatee.
10 Things to Know About Narwhals
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1. Narwhals are basically whales that sport a spiraled horn, or tusk, that juts out of their head much like a unicorn horn. Some narwhals actually have two tusks.
2. The narwhal’s tusk is actually a long jutting tooth. It even has nerves.
3. The tusk can grow as long as 10 feet. A narwhal can be 17 feet in length (plus the tusk!).
4. Narwhals sometimes use their tusks to joust.
5. They live in the Arctic waters of Greenland, Norway, Canada and Russia.
6. Narwhals weigh as much as 4200 pounds.
7. They eat squid, shrimp, halibut and cod.
8. There are about 80,000 narwhals throughout the Arctic waters.
9. Historians actually think that the narwhals are what the unicorns myth is base on. During the Middle Ages, unicorn horns were so coveted that royalty would pay extraordinary prices for them, often the weight of the horn in gold. Hunters traveled to Northern Europe to try and capture the narwhals and bring back their horns (which they would tell the royals were from unicorns).
10. Narwhals are still hunted today for their tusks, and in addition face other environmental threats like pollution. You can help by adopting a narwhal (bonus: you get a plush narwhal as a keepsake!).
1.Rangifer tarandus is the scientific name for the animal we most commonly call reindeer. They are in the same family as deer, and there are more than a dozen sub-species.
2. In the wild, some reindeers travel more than 3000 miles in a single year.
3. In North America, reindeer are also known as caribou, although the current "taxonomic jury" is out on that all species of reindeer are caribou. Most people use the terms interchangeably.
4. Reindeer like it cold! They are native to Arctic and subarctic regions as well as tundra and boreal (read: snow, snow, snow!) to northern Europe, Siberia and North America.
5. The indigenous people of Finland, the Saami, have more than 400 words for the food, tools and other products taken from reindeer. Their word for reindeer, raingo, may be where the common name is derived.
6. Reindeer beards? In the winter time for reindeer grow their facial hair long enough to cover their mouths, which protects their muzzles when grazing in the snow.
7. Male reindeer have louder calls than females. Males use a small pouch under the skin of their throats which they inflate to blast out a loud bellow.
8. Reindeer grow new antlers every year.
9. For almost all kinds of reindeer, both male and female reindeer have antlers. Females shed their antlers when they give birth in the spring.
10. The Finnish Forest Reindeer, arguably the reindeer of Santa Claus fame, are the largest reindeer species. They are over 7 ½ feet long.
11. Finnish Forest Reindeer hooves have a special scoop that helps them forage through the snow for lichen and moss.
12. In warmer months, reindeer feast on grasses, mushrooms and plants. In the winter they feast mainly on moss and lichen.Reindeer have a strong sense of smell, which helps them sniff out food underneath layers of snow.
13. In many cultures, Reindeer are used pull sleds and sleigh. There's evidence of this dating back 7,000 years ago in Siberia!
1. Sloths really are slow. So slow, in fact, that in the humidity of their native climate an algae actually grows on their fur. This gives them a greenish hue, which acts as camouflage.
2. Sloths, moths and algae have a beneficial relationship: The pyralid moth is a species of moth that lives in the sloth’s fleece. There is also an algae species that grows in the grooved hair of the sloth. Scientists believe that the moth transports nutrient-rich waste from the sloth’s poop to fertilize the algae. In other words, the moths are algae farmers on the sloth’s back. And guess what else? The algae is a key source of food for the sloth!
3. Sloths have 10 upper teeth and 8 lower teeth.
4. They can weigh between 8-17 pounds and grow to be between 21–29 inches in length.
5. Two-toed sloths can live up to 20 years in the wild and 30-40 years in captivity!
6. Sloths cannot shiver to stay warm, and so have difficulty maintaining their body temperature on rainy days.
7. Sloths see better at night than in the day and they have very poor hearing. They rely on their sense of smell to locate food and other sloths.
8. Sloths come down from their canopy about once a week to pee and poo unless there is a danger or predator. If that’s the case they do it from the trees!
9. They are good swimmers, especially the backstroke.
10. While they are very quiet in general, if scared they will hiss or moan.
11. Sloths eat leaves, twigs, berries, fruits and the occasional insect or small animal.
12. Females sloths are pregnant for six months.
13. Sloths usually mate and give birth while hanging in trees. Mothers will birth their babies either on the ground upside down in a hanging position. After it is born the infant grabs onto the mother’s fur and makes its way to her chest to nurse.
14. Sloth mother’s milk is higher in fat (6.9 %) and protein (61%) than cow's milk.
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15. There are also four species of three-toed sloths including Bradypodidae pygmaeus, a pygmy species. The other three are B. torquatus, which has a mane; B. tridactylus also known as the pale-throated, three-toed sloth; and B. variegatus, the brown throated, three-toed sloth. They share many characteristics with their two-toed cousins, but a few things are different.
16. Three-toed sloths are better swimmers than their two-toed relatives.
17. They change trees up to four times a day.
18. The are diurnal, meaning they are awake either day or night. Two-toed sloths are nocturnal.
Want to learn more about these amazing animals and how you can help protect their habitat? Visit the WWF's sloth page.
1. The Black Howler Monkey (Alouatta caraya) are native to eastern Bolivia, northeastern Argentina, Paraguay and southern Brazil.
2. Black Howlers eat they eat leaves, fruit and vegetable matter.
3. They get their name because they have enlarged throats and extra large voice boxes which allows them to howls.
4. They also have a special bony pouch beneath their throat that acts as a resonator which helps project their howls at great distances, sometimes more than a kilometer! Click here to hear it.
5. Young howlers are cared for by several females who carry, groom and protect it. Males will also help out.
6. Black Howler Monkeys do not have opposable thumbs.
7. The Squirrel Monkey (Saimiri sciureus) native to the lowland rainforest of Panama, Peru, Bolivia, Paraguay and Brazil.
8. Squirrel Monkeys eat a varied diet of insects, spiders, bird’s eggs and nestlings, fruits, nuts, blossoms and other forest edibles.
9. Squirrel monkeys have the largest groups of any other New World monkey, with as many as 100 monkeys in a given band.
10. They are not only smaller in size, but they make chirps and peeps for contact and alarms, earning them their likeness to the squirrel.
11. Squirrel Monkey births coincide with the time of greatest rainfall.
My Little Pony is getting a makeover. Hasbro’s entertainment studio Entertainment One recently announced the upcoming release of theatrical-quality CG animation film and a new series debuting on Netflix later this year!
The iconic world of Equestria is expanding. In the new My Little Pony franchise film, the beloved brand will introduce a new generation of adorable awesomeness and cute cartoons (or rather, CG animated) creatures.
My Little Pony’s latest creation features a divided world, where the Ponies are separated into species. Your kiddo will get to know Sunny Starscout, an idealistic young pony who just doesn’t fit in with the rest of the Earth Pony townies. When Izzy the Unicorns wanders into town, Sunny befriends the magical being and takes off on an out-of-this-world adventure. The pair travel to far away lands, face their fears, turn old enemies into friends, and so much more.
As if Sunny and Izzy’s My Little Pony adventures aren’t enough, the film also includes the “world’s cutest” flying Pomeranian and a cast of characters your kiddo is sure to love.
The CG animated Netflix film isn’t the end of the newest My Little Pony saga. Sunny Starscout and her friends will return to the streaming service for an all-new series this fall.
