Migratory Devil Bird Sets Up Nest in New York in New Migration Patterns

A migrating devil bird has established its nest for a long-term stay in New York thanks to new migration patterns, which experts believe is a result of climate change.

Devil Bird in New York

For the past two weeks, the "devil bird," also known as the anhinga, has been residing near Brooklyn's Prospect Park Lake, according to the New York Times. This is only the second anhinga sighting in New York City in the previous 30 years, and the first ever in Kings County. In the summer, the big water bird with a snake-like neck can be seen throughout the Southern US, from the Gulf Coast to the Carolinas. The bird's surprise stay in Brooklyn is the most recent in a line of remarkable birds that have recently been spotted in locations other than where they typically migrate.

New Migration Patterns

According to Andrew Farnsworth, a researcher at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, the anhinga's appearance could indicate that its traditional distribution in the southeastern United States has expanded. Anhingas are "strong" fliers, Farnsworth continues, so it's not entirely surprising that this is taking place.

The anhinga isn't the only migrant bird that isn't typically found in the Northeast, though. According to a birder from Brooklyn, there are also yellow-throated warblers, summer tanagers, Acadian flycatchers, as well as several unusual Western species that are only occasionally seen in Brooklyn, such as Townsend's warbler and Swainson's hawk.

Climate Change

Finding food and reproducing might be difficult for birds due to rising temperatures and changing weather patterns. According to the Audubon Society, species from Southern regions like the anhinga are moving north to adapt to these changes in New York. These migratory birds need rest stops and breeding sites, which the state's diverse environments provide, from the coasts of the Great Lakes to the forests of the Adirondack Mountains.

The Audubon Society claims that climate change is also messing with natural environments. The shoreline of New York has seen a 9-inch rise in sea level since 1950, and this surge is expected to continue. This might endanger migratory and resident birds, as well as millions of people, Newser reports.

The Anhinga Devil Bird

Large and slender waterbirds known as anhingas have long tails that resemble the tail of a turkey. They have a dagger-like bill and a long, S-shaped neck. Anhingas have wings that are held out flat in flight, and their neck and tail extend straight out. They resemble a flying cross. Their bodies are lean, and when they fly, they appear to be flattened.

Anhingas swim by holding their long, snake-like neck slightly above the water while keeping their bodies mostly submerged. After a swim, they dry off by perching on branches or logs while spreading their tails and holding their wings out. They frequently soar above the clouds, much like raptors and vultures, as they ride thermals.

Anhingas live year-round in shallow freshwater ponds, lakes, and slow-moving streams where they can dry off and sunbathe on nearby branches or logs. Along the shore, they also use brackish bays and lagoons, but they often avoid locations with a lot of open water, according to All About Birds.