Not too long ago I was heading home after a trek through Forest Park and saw a swarm of black-colored birds — hundreds of them — in the sky, trees and power lines, on rooftops and lawns and on sidewalks across the street. Fascinated by the super-flock, I consulted a couple bird experts, sharing pictures and a video. 

Paul Sweet, a collection manager at the American Museum of Natural History’s ​​department of ornithology, was one of the experts who confirmed that these weren’t crows, but common grackles. Sweet, a Brooklyn resident, has worked at the museum for 32 years. One of the most common misconceptions he’s heard is the one I brought up.

https://epicenter-nyc.com/mistaking-blackbirds-with-hitchcocks-in-queens/ 

https://www.nycgovparks.org/places-to-go/birding

https://www.nycgovparks.org/events/birding

https://www.nycaudubon.org/events-birding/programs-and-events/local-trips-classes

https://www.feministbirdclub.org/

https://www.instagram.com/latinooutdoors_nyc/

https://www.meetup.com/outdoor-afro-ny/

https://www.amnh.org/research/vertebrate-zoology/ornithology