Order Passeriformes, or Passerines, are what most people picture when they hear the word “bird”. Small. colorful creatures flitting about while singing brilliant and complex calls, Song birds open the door for many into the wider world of biodiversity. Add in migration— where different species can be seen in your own backyard throughout the year, and you can see why it’s easy to get hooked.

Thanks to its position on the Atlantic Flyway, one of four major migration routes across the lower 48, New York City plays host to some 300+ species over the course of a year. From the bright and beautiful Blackburnian Warbler to the impeccable camouflage and shyness of the Marsh Wren, there are songbirds in every shape and color you can imagine.

But it’s not easy being pretty. Small and slight, these birds often struggle to pass safely through the five boroughs. Skyscrapers of glass and steel, feral cats, and a dearth of suitable habitats mean we’re seeing fewer and fewer birds each year. If you want to see more incredible creatures like those below, the best time to get involved was yesterday. The second best time is today.