After dark you might see a Common Nighthawk or Chimney Swift . House and Winter Wrens are also seen on occasion in many habitats. Of the three mimic-thrushes, the Gray Catbird is the only one which nests here and migrates before winter. All are found within the Forest canopy and underbrush. Blackbirds of several species nest around the wetlands with Red-winged Blackbird , Baltimore Oriole and Common Grackle most common.
Many birds are hardy enough to remain here all year.
Mallard and Wood Ducks and Canada Geese stay as long as there is open water. Two or three Red-tailed Hawks can be spotted soaring high over the trees or surveying the ground from a high perch. The males with their beautiful plumage can be seen near Daffodil Hill and the Peggy Rockefeller Rose Garden . The Rock Pigeon , Mourning Dove , American Crow , European Starling and House Sparrow are the most common year-round birds here as they are everywhere. Northern Mockingbirds , Northern Cardinals , House Finches , American Goldfinches , Song and White-throated Sparrows all live at the Garden throughout the year.