American Animals New York

There are plenty of lakes in New York State along with two of the five Great Lakes - Lake Ontario and Lake Erie. Due to all the choices of freshwater lakes, ponds, and reservoirs migratory birds like the state very much and enjoy taking a rest here. Fishermen can find plenty of salmon, trout, and perch in the Great Lakes as well as the brown bullhead in the small bog lakes in the Adirondacks and Chautauqua Allegany.

Another thing that wildlife loves about New York State is that there are lots of forests where they can make their homes such as the Adirondack Forest Preserve and the Catskill Forest Preserve.

Here you can find deer, bears, coyotes, and many more animals. Nature lovers can find lots of enjoyment in this state and can watch for birds and animals that live in the wild.

The birds you can find in New York State include:

Bald Eagles make their home near water and they are amazing to see being 30 inches tall and having a wingspan of six to seven feet. A large population of bald eagles can be seen in the Hudson Valley.

Blue Herons make their home in the swamps, salt marshes, and slow-moving rivers of New York State. They are blush-grey with long slender legs, a yellow bill, and a long neck which is folded in an S-shape when flying.

Wild Turkeys can be found all through the state enjoying the woodlands with acorns and beech nuts as well as insects and other foods in hayfields. At night they can be found in trees.

Ospreys enjoy catching fish in the Adirondack lakes. The adults are dark brown on top and white below with a white head. They enjoy the long shores of the lakes very much and you can find they have nests that perch on trees high up and on poles. They return year after year.

You can see the Common Loons at the Adirondack lakes during the summer. Their plumage is a clear black and white check. These birds have bright red eyes and a loud wolf-like call.

Scarlet Tanagers are easily seen with the males having bright red plumage and black wings and tails that change to yellow-green in the late summers. These birds enjoy the lower-lying forests in the state.

Among the mammals seen in the state are:

Beavers on the Genesee River and in the Allegany State Park. They can be best spotted at night or at the break of day. You might hear them slapping their tails on the water. They enjoy creating dams and slides into the water.

Black bears make their home here also but they cannot always be spotted. These bears are covered in black fur and have long black muzzles. One has to take caution if hearing or spotting a black bear since they can be up to 7 feet tall standing on their hind legs.

Eastern Coyotes have been pestering farmers. They're related to the wolf but are smaller and have blonde reddish coats. They prefer grasslands and open fields. You can see them at dusk when they come out to hunt.

You can see many white-tailed deer that can be spotted in the early mornings and at night. The best places to see them are when hiking in the Adirondacks, Hudson Highlands, and the Catskills. They enjoy the woodlands there.

For spoting Harbor Seals the best places are on Long Island, especially at Montauk Point and Fire Island. The seals have spotted coats in colors ranging from silver grey to black or dark brown. The best times to see them are November to May as long as you keep your distance from them.

Whales can be seen in the waters of the Atlantic Ocean off of Long Island, Most of these whales are the Baleen type which are larger than toothed whales and with two blowholes, The Baleen whales seen in New York State are Minke, Finback, Sei, Humpback, Great Atlantic Right Whale, Sperm Whale and Blue Whale. The most important conservation organization for these whales in the state is the Riverhead Foundation for Marine Research and Preservation (RFMRP).

Among the reptiles and amphibians you can see are:

Diamondback Terrapins these turtles can be seen if you're kayaking in rivers in the state. They live in brackish or briny waters, They are common around the coastal creeks of Long Island. The females go ashore to nest in the dunes. These turtles have diamond shapes on their shells and can be seen on beaches from May until July. At this time, they cannot be disturbed because they will get frightened and abandon their nests with eggs.

Snapping Turtles are larger and more aggressive. You have to look out for them when swimming, They will not attack but can provide a bad surprise if they snap at you since they can grow to be 15 pounds in weight.

Eastern Red-Spotted Newts are bright orange when they are young and with age become green. They can be found around waters that are close to woodlands. They can live up to fifteen years.

Insects that can be found include:

Lovely butterflies particularly the orange and black Monarch butterflies that can be seen in open meadows. You can also see them on Fire Island off Long Island and the Albany Pine Bush Reserve. If hiking the trails at Seneca Cultural Center you can see them.

A rare butterfly the Karner Blue Butterfly is on the endangered species list. These butterflies love to feed in the blue lupine flower and they are protected in the Hudson Valley from the Albany Pine Bush north to the Glenn Falls area.