Bird City: Adventures in New York's Urban Wilds

by Ryan Goldberg

Journalist and birder Ryan Goldberg’s infectiously impassioned tour of the five New York City boroughs offers city dwellers and bird lovers everywhere a surprising, delightful new view of the concrete jungle—through its abundant and diverse bird population

Goldberg came to birding unexpectedly, but as many first timers do after seeing their “spark” bird, he fell hard. Enamored by the incredible variety of species that pass through his hometown of New York City, and with the other passionate birders he meets, he embarks on a year of reporting on the natural wonders hiding amidst the skyscrapers. He learns that millions of birds migrate through the five boroughs each year—at least 400 different species, way more than can be found in Yellowstone National Park.

Through the four seasons, Goldberg takes readers to all five boroughs, through the city's most famous parks and landmarks. He pursues rare and common species alike, increasing his count and deepening his understanding of how and why birds make their home in this smoggy, noisy, concrete-coated environment. Along the way, he meets many fascinating and idiosyncratic characters, both human and feathered.

Richly textured, informative, and uplifting, Bird City will inspire fast-walking New Yorkers, the ever-growing birding community, and listeners everywhere who think of “nature” as just a place visit on Saturdays, to slow down and look around them. There’s a lot more than pigeons in our city skies.

Genres: Nonfiction, Birds, Science, New York, Nature, Environment

288 pages, Hardcover

Published November 4, 2025

Reviews

[Laura Grover · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve lived in NYC for over 20 years, and loved learning so many new things about a city I know well. Goldberg’s love of New York and birding is evident and it’s an enjoyable read even if you’re not a birder.

[Alison · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really like this book and getting to know about what birds exists in NY City and which ones fly through the area as they migrate to there different locations.
It was fun to follow the author and his birder friends, as they wander through the five Burroughs, finding the natural wonders which are scattered throughout the city and it's skyscrapers.
He learns that millions of birds fly through the city yearly, with at least 400 different species.
This book has fascinating stories of the birds, but also the people who devote their time trying to track them and to try and help them from the many dangers of having to navigate a city with all of it's reflective windows, and the people who have not learned about the birds and get upset, when sometimes areas are closed off to them, particularly in the mating season.
I love birds, and read stories about birders, but I am not one. I am just a person interested in seeing and hearing them in Nature.
I would like to thank NetGalley, and Algonquin Books, for a copy of this book.

[Joyce B · Rating 4 out of 5]

I gave this book to my 13 year old granddaughter to read because she is really into birds! (She loves playing bird bingo). Though she lives in Boston she has been to New York city many times. I told her that if she read the book it would really be nice if she wrote her opinion about it. Below is what she wrote:

Reading Bird City was kinda like watching a documentary but in words. Bird City gives a beautiful look into the large world of birding. I didn't know how many ways there were to be a birder before I read it! I really enjoyed all the neat perspectives and people that this book showcases. This book made me look at New York differently. It illustrates the state through birds and focuses mainly on that. I love getting to learn so many things about so many birds. This book also helps raise awareness about the harm the humans are causing to birds. Overall I'd say this book is really good for anyone who LOVES birds or really wants to help protect them.

[Will Stollsteimer · Rating 3 out of 5]

I failed to connect to this book in the ways I assumed I would. perhaps it's just because I have no stake in NYC. There were many interesting stories and anecdotes but I failed to glean anything significant beyond a nice story about a topic I enjoy.

[Brian Grover · Rating 5 out of 5]

Was fortunate enough to read a galley copy of Bird City. Really enjoyed this - and I am neither a birder nor a big reader of non-fiction. Going in, I assumed there would be sections that piqued my interest, and sections that I could take or leave. In the end, though, I enjoyed the read from cover to cover. What really lured me in here was Goldberg's enthusiasm for the subject matter. He's reporting and researching, but he's a character in his own story, and the way he personalized these various adventures around NYC is what really gave me "buy in" to come along on the journey.

I wish each chapter had started with a one page illustration of the bird featured in that section; I'm a visual person and I was always scrambling for my phone to do image searches. This book also confirms a thought I've had about birding for a while, which for me is another reason NOT to get into it. If you aspire to go beyond being a very casual birder, you need to know more than just bird species, you need to understand the flora they inhabit as well. Too much work! I have been paying more attention to our avian friends the past few weeks, though. Love the idea that they're inhabiting a different world, side by side with ours, have never really thought about it that way. Five stars.

[LISA CURTISS · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is an engaging read that describes the richness of New York City’s avian life, and the community of people who are engaged in observing, supporting and celebrating wildlife in the city. I feel anyone who is interested in birds and nature, and how both persist in urban environments would love this book. Goldberg skillfully interweaves compelling descriptions of the city’s birds and habitats, the history of birds and birding, the vibrant community of urban birders, and natural history of various birds. The book also feels warm and charming as well as informative - he shares personal stories and writes vivid portraits of various personalities. I think Bird City would be enjoyed by anyone interested in birds, nature, or urban wildlife—and it might change how you see and feel about the city around you.

[Angel · Rating 5 out of 5]

My son is a birder and I found this book a great introduction into his world. While in high school, his older brother gave him a camera and took him to a nearby park on the bay to learn how to use it. He photographed a bird and once home went to look up what kind of bird it was. He’s about to graduate with degrees in Biology and Environmental Science having fallen in love with birds. He’s birded in 8 countries across 3 continents since that first photo and we have been a part of several of these trips. This book provides the history and insight into the world of birding and I enjoyed it very much!

[Brenda · Rating 4 out of 5]

From concrete jungle to Urban wilds, even New York City can be a birder's paradise! Through four seasons and five boroughs, Ryan Goldberg takes us on a delightful journey. From excitement, to hope, to heartbreak, and back to excitement once again. Goldberg is so knowledgeable, the book is written so well and really tells a story well also being so informational and interesting. This would be a thoughtful gift for any birder in your life!

[Beth G · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author's passion for birds and his birding community comes through in each chapter. Well researched and I was impressed with Goldberg's breadth of knowledge. You don't have to be a diehard birder or a New Yorker to enjoy this delightful trip through a "wild" urban landscape. Definitely recommend

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I learned a lot from this book, but the overwhelming hardships these birds endure broke my heart. New York birders are rising to the challenges of bird window strikes (think of the ACRES of reflective glass), busy beaches unsupportive of Plovers, cats and raccoons…so many challenges. Being a birder means supporting birds, and in this sense it is a hopeful book.
Well worth the read.

[Krissy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book dealt more with migration than I would have liked. But, I haven't read a ton about migration, so that's okay!

I did have a difficult time reading about birds who lost their lives running into lit-up glass buildings. Dead birds is a trigger for me. I did cry some.

Almost a four star read. Rounded up.

[Joe N · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. the best to me are the accessible adventures close to home and this book does a great job at not just talking about urban birding but inspiring you to find those spots in your own city too

[Sarah ⚘]

Had to return to the library before I could finish it. Might pick it up again at a later date.

[Jenn]

Really good!

[Audrey Louise Dunn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I expected to like this book more. I think I just didn't really connect with the author.