By Keith Michael
Spring migration is flying by (i.e. that semi-annual avian marathon when millions of miniature collections of feathers and muscles and bones and lung-capacity race thousands of miles from their winter vacations in South America to their summer family-making time further north—pitting themselves against the gauntlet of weather, carb-loading, glass-clad buildings, cell-phone towers, wind turbines and power lines cluttering the air—all while escaping from being someone’s dinner). Weren’t you exhausted just reading through that parenthetical detour? Well, imagine being smaller than an artisanal multi-grain dinner roll and flying those transcontinental miles under your own arm-power with no first-class amenities or the consolation of super-saver fares—now THAT’S exhausting!
While you’re scanning the tree tops for these rainbow-hued transient charmers (which I know you are), here’s a West Village May Day Tour and Scavenger Hunt for what I call “sturdy birds”—birds that are just “there” all of the time for us to see—on which to practice your observation skills before that deluge of migrating wonders pass through. Today, Corgi Queen of the May Millie is staying home instead to scavenge for errant treats lurking beneath the furniture. Here we go:
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Start at 14th Street and Eighth Avenue. This is the granddaddy of #4 on this list: a large glowering stone eagle originally intended to instill a sense of security for this bank’s entering patrons. Benjamin Franklin’s choice of the Wild Turkey as the national bird would not have cut the same regal profile—had his candidate won. Millie likes this one because it’s a good focal point for her anxiety before heading up the stairs lickety-split to the vet next door. (Okay, I gave you that one—the clues get harder like the Times crossword puzzles during the week.)
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Head south, peruse the magazine store window for bird photographs then head west. Look for a swinging gate with a pair of doves feasting face-to-face on a bowl of grapes.
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Again, head south. Protected by the 24/7 vigilance of a lone soldier, this trio of species-challenged birds are visible day and night, though the nocturnal up-lighting doesn’t illuminate them to their best advantage. The fronts of these birds look like ducks, but the hind-quarters look more like Mockingbirds tucking their tails in shame. Perhaps the sculptor was presaging the new wave of paleontological discoveries that Velociraptors may have had feathers!
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Stay in the vicinity. Wither the wind bloweth? Look for this soaring eagle within earshot of squealing children reveling in their playground-enhanced squeals.
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Head to The Spotted Pig for lunch or at least a beverage. Refreshed? Catch this next one while you can because as the new leaves grow out this always-flying-into-the-wind Great Blue Heron will become less and less visible. Hint: Stand on the corner opposite the pig with spots, then while both looking up and thinking about parking your car, start walking downtown. It will be most visible if there’s a northerly wind. (Remember this location to return to Left Bank for dinner!)
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These next several are on a lovely easterly stroll up Perry Street. Two roosters face off in blue and white tiling underneath Año 1868 on the southeast corner of Perry and Bleecker streets.
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A handsome black pair of the Mock Turtle’s companion from Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland guard this building entrance. More of their comrades grace #10 on this list. (You’re right, mythological Gryphons aren’t technically birds—but they do have wings.)
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A quad-riptych of herons fish in a series of brownstone window lintels. Two of the bas reliefs are seriously weathered, but you can still make out the long-necked tableaus.
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Perhaps these ducks are “flimsy birds” rather than “sturdy birds”—white, woven and light diffusers. Doves and thrushes forage nearby—as well as rabbits. (Look at window curtains.)
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Head to the neighborhood’s former court house and prison site. Look for the date 1876 on a commemorative plaque, turn to your left and walk to the corner. Imagine getting a cool drink on a hot summer day, then look in front of you at a satisfied Great Blue Heron (the frog in its bill may not feel so satisfied). Walk around the block, feasting on the stone flora and fauna which decorate this landmark—songbirds, a solitary owl and a squirrel with a nut are highlights (as are the prodigious displays of tulips at this time of year along the way.)
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Heading west from here, pelican pairs grace two orange lanterns. The wood-cut ambience of these light fixtures is charming.
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Finally, a small side-trip a few blocks uptown for bonus points: A wood duck with a mask. (with two famed comedy companions nearby).
Success? Check the images and locations below.
Let me know if you’ve found more avian iconography during your neighborhood excursions. I hope that while tracking down these “sturdy birds” you were keeping an eye out for migrating super-stars: Blue- and Green-throated Warblers, White-eyed and Blue-headed Vireos, Kinglets, Blue-gray Gnatcatchers and Northern Parulas. I know I was.
Locations for the “Sturdy Birds: West Village May Day Tour and Scavenger Hunt” .
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Southwest corner of 14th Street and Eighth Avenue (N.Y. County National Bank)
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319 West 12th Street
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Abingdon Square Park lampposts
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Abingdon Square Playground weathervane
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719 Greenwich Street. The weathervane is visible from the entrance of the parking garage just north of Perry Street.
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Southeast corner of Perry and Bleecker streets. And there’s a rooster weathervane on the roof of this building if you find the correct vantage point further west on Perry.
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48 Perry Street
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45-47 Perry Street
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27 Perry Street
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Jefferson Market Library
- 190 West 10th Street
- 227 West 11th Street
