Category Archives: Habitats of City Wildlife

Skyscrapers, puddles and other unlikely places that city critters call home.

Nature Minute video: The Sordid Lives of the White-throated Sparrow

Biologist Kelly Rypkema introduces us to a secret benefit to birdwatching – dating advice. Trouble viewing? Watch on YouTube instead.

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Posted in Animal Behavior, Birds, Habitats of City Wildlife, Mating and Courtship, Spring, Videos | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

Whazzat Bird?

While photographing the first flush of spring, I was surprised to find this bird in my viewfinder. I think of them more as a woodland bird, but here he was smushed in the confines of my tiny city park. Maybe more »

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Posted in Animal Behavior, Animals, Birds, Habitats of City Wildlife, Mating and Courtship, Nature by the Seasons, News, Photos, Spring | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Nature Minute video: Woodpeckers leave their mark on NYC – and feed city wildlife

Without leaves to block our view, winter is an excellent time to take a peek into the lives of city animals and see the daily challenges they face. One type of woodpecker has drilled very distinctive designs throughout NYC’s parks more »

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Posted in Animal Behavior, Birds, Fall, Habitats of City Wildlife, Trees, Videos, Winter | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Ask the Naturalist: Why do Hummingbirds Like Sapsuckers? A Nature Minute Video

If one species of animal can love another, then surely hummingbirds love sapsuckers. Find out why in this short video annotation. And see our episode: “Woodpeckers leave their mark on NYC” for the full story.

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Posted in Animal Behavior, Birds, Communication, Fall, Habitats of City Wildlife, Spiders and Insects, Trees, Videos, Winter | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

School Greens: Garden in the Sky

Students from the School Greens Club at North Star Academy are on a mission to educate their school and community about healthy eating and more sustainable sources of food. But first they have to educate themselves. Host Kelly Rypkema follows more »

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Posted in Animals, Birds, Habitats of City Wildlife, Mammals, People and Nature, Plants, Rocks and Earth, Videos | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

The Free Lunch

This episode of “Around the Town,” companion series to “Nature in a NY Minute,” takes an up-close look at a lucky squirrel dining al fresco on some tasty-looking leftovers — until an unwelcome guest drops by for a visit.

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Posted in Animals, Fall, Habitats of City Wildlife, Mammals, Nature by the Seasons, Predators and Prey, Spring, Summer, Videos, Winter | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Fruit Flies: Cooking Up a Habitat

Naturalist Kelly Rypkema endeavors to answer a viewer’s question and ends up with an infestation of dizzying Drosophila – melanogaster, that is – Fruit flies. Tune in to see how to make your kitchen a ripe habitat for these impish insects. more »

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Posted in Animal Behavior, Animals, Fall, Habitats of City Wildlife, Mating and Courtship, Nature by the Seasons, People and Nature, Plants, Spiders and Insects, Spring, Summer, Videos, Winter | Leave a comment

Peregrine Falcon, City Celebrity

Kelly Rypkema explores 55 Water Street for signs of good Peregrine habitat – and hopefully a glimpse of the famous falcons themselves.

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Posted in Animals, Birds, Habitats of City Wildlife, Nature by the Seasons, People and Nature, Poop, Droppings, and other Calling Cards, Predators and Prey, Spring, Summer | Leave a comment