NEW YORK — David Barrett, a longtime birder in Manhattan, says the key to snapping the perfect shot of a rare bird is all in the timing.
What You Need To Know
- Rover is a bald eagle from Connecticut who was first spotted in Brooklyn in 2020
- In January, birders noticed Rover in Central Park, regularly eating seagulls
- Bald eagles were once on the endangered species list but are now thriving thanks to conservationism
- There are nearly 10,000 bald eagle male-female pairs across the U.S.
“Central Park has a great variety of wildlife that most people never see because the birds are not numerous," Barrett said.
That appears to be true for Central Park’s newest and most marveled at visitor: Rover, the Bald Eagle.
“When people get a photo of the bald eagle, they’re thrilled. That’s a coup," said Barrett. "That’s something that most people don’t get in Central Park.”
Barrett runs the Twitter account Manhattan Bird Alert which has more than 50,000 followers. He managed to capture a photo of the majestic bird himself.
“I got one of the closest views I’ve ever had of a bald eagle, and it was special to have it here in Central Park right here in the reservoir," he said.
Rover has been scouring in the skies over Central Park since January, but Barrett says he’s no stranger to the five boroughs.
“He’s a famous eagle that people in Brooklyn have been seeing for over two years," Barrett said.
When Rover was young he was equipped with a metal band around his leg so biologists could track his whereabouts. When birders in Brooklyn caught sight of the band back in 2020, they noticed the characters "R7" written on it, which earned him the nickname Rover.
Bird watchers like Deborah Allen say it’s a common misconception that exotic birds can’t thrive in New York City.
“People think that an urban environment is a difficult place for birds to be, but in a way, it isn’t. As long they can find things to eat and stay warm, they’ll be fine," Allen noted.
Rover is often spotted flying over the reservoir, searching for food. But the ice makes it hard for him to enjoy his usual pescatarian diet so he’s opting for a different type of meal.
“He came flying in from over there and circled around. Made a pass at the gulls. They all flew up. He might’ve caught one," said Allen.
While Rover’s presence in Central Park may be bad news for seagulls, it’s welcome news for conservationists.
"It's a great victory for conservation that bald eagles are thriving again," said Barrett.
The Bald Eagle was on the verge of extinction when the federal government declared it endangered in 1978. Today, the national bird of the United States is thriving with nearly 10,000 male-female pairs nationwide.
And although we didn't spot Rover on Sunday afternoon, Barrett is encouraging New Yorkers to try their luck.
"If you're going to try to come out and see the eagle, you have to be patient. That's the key thing. And maybe try it a few times when you have the chance," Barrett said.