Comments on: Curious Silhouettes

By: Ann Rafalko

Ann Rafalko — Mon, 09 Jul 2012 18:25:23 +0000

Hi LaBean! – Is the large bird you have seen kind of greyish? If so, that’s a peahen, the lady friend of the showier peacock! We’re not sure where she has come from, but she has been spotted frequently of late. Peahens are really good bug eaters, so next time you see her, give her a nod and a wave and thank her for eating all the bugs! If the bird you have seen is brown, it’s one of our resident female turkeys. There are usually three, but sometimes four. I have no explanation as to why we attract so many lady birds! — Ann

By: LaBean

LaBean — Mon, 09 Jul 2012 18:13:08 +0000

We have bunches of these beautiful squirrels right here in Harlem as well! It never occurred to me to wonder where they came from–variations in fur color are pretty common for lots of different animals. But I was still pleasantly surprised upon seeing them for the first time, having grown up only around the gray variety.

I love the fuzzy creatures that inhabit NYBG and they’re part of the reason I go in so much. But lately I’ve seen a large turkey-like bird wandering around by the Mitsubishi Wildlife trail and it really freaked me out. No idea where that came from, but beautiful nonetheless.

By: Diane

Diane — Mon, 09 Jul 2012 16:33:27 +0000

We’ve had these in Lindenhurst, Long Island, forever. Not a lot but you occasoinally see one around town. I’m glad I saw this article and was able to find out a little more about their origin.

By: CindyN.

CindyN. — Sun, 13 Nov 2011 02:13:38 +0000

I’ve been seeing these blanck squirrels in Washington Square Park this year (mostly in the southwestern corner) and even saw one in Cobble Hill on my walk to work this past week, so I guess they’ve made their way to Brooklyn.

By: TedK

TedK — Sun, 13 Nov 2011 00:05:13 +0000

Stumbled upon your write up as we are planning a Sunday outing. Like yr squirrel write up. Maybe need to take a ride up to spot one of those critters, but Laura thinks we need to do that when you are there to catch you on coffee break.

By: Pat Gonzalez

Pat Gonzalez — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 21:15:37 +0000

Nicely written, Matt. Thanks for sharing. I shoot all types of wildlife with my camera, but my favorite, of course, are the hawks. However, of the many mammals that call the NYBG home, I have a special place in my heart for the brown furballs known as muskrats. Spotted lots of these cuties at Twin Lakes during winter.