New Yorkers need more proof of his existence changing of the climate they just have to look up and see black hairless vultures flying in the sky of a big city in North America. These slow-moving vultures with a wingspan of 1.5 meters live in normal conditions in Latin America and several states in the southern United States.

However, the vultures seem to have decided to settle in NY, as well as another 30 species of birds, which have also expanded their range in recent years. The reduction in habitat and food supply has radically changed the habits of migratory birds.

“30-40 years ago it was unthinkable to see a vulture in Manhattan. From March 2022 to the present, we have recorded 300 sightings of these birds,” says ornithologist Dr. Andrew Farnsworth of Cornell University. Black vultures move north due to the milder temperatures in North America and the abundance of food in the suburban refuse.

Some species have adapted well to the new conditions. However, in any fragile ecosystem, the introduction of new species usually has serious consequences. Bird species such as the American robin and Canada goose have been among the first to winter in New York in recent years. The decrease in snowfall has allowed these species to stay in the northern regions from which they once migrated to survive.

At the same time, rising sea levels are putting pressure on heron populations, which are gradually losing their breeding grounds, such as the small islands off New York Harbor.

Rednecks, Canada geese and even black vultures now make up the winged fauna of the American metropolis.

200,000 deaths

In addition to climate change, New York’s birds are directly threatened by other human activities and creations. More than 200,000 migratory birds are killed each year by crashing into skyscraper windows. There have always been few safe places for birdwatching in New York. Large parks such as Central Park and Forest and Prospect are vital as a source of food and shelter. However, carefully maintained city parks do not help the birds, who need dry leaves and branches to build their nests.

In a study published in 2019, an American scientific team found that 3 billion birds were lost from North America between 1970 and 2019, a 30% decrease in half a century. Although the study did not delve into the causes of this extinction, researchers have linked it to habitat loss and deforestation, without downplaying the responsibility of cats by crashing into the glass windows of high-rise buildings and using toxic herbicides.

In recent years, New York City has passed laws to protect many bird species. In 2019, the City Council passed a law requiring bird strike prevention materials to be installed on the facades of every new building in New York City. In 2021, the city approved a measure to turn off all non-essential lighting around municipal buildings at night during bird migration.

The Ornithological Society of New York is pushing for a ban on secondary outdoor lighting in private homes at night, supporting an initiative called the Dark Sky Act. “Our societies are based on an ecosystem of insects, birds, plants and animals. If the signs we see in migratory birds point to the future, then humans are already in serious trouble,” says Odibon researcher Todd Winston.