NEW YORK TRIP (August-September)

zootografiando

zootografiando

Well-Known Member
5+ year member
Hello!

I will be in New York between August 28th and September 5th. I've been looking around the forum and I would like to visit the following parks.
-Bronx ZOO (1 day)
-Prospect Park and New York Aquarium (same day)
-Queens and Staten Island (same day)
-Central Parc and Museum of Natural History (same day)

I would also like to visit Bergen County Zoo and Turtle Back zoo but I don't have a car. Can these parks be reached by public transportation? Does anyone who lives in the area want to accompany me or if they have a car, share gasoline costs?

And another question. At the Prospect Park zoo they have Felis nigripes but I have seen that the facility is too dark to take photos. Do you know if there is light first thing or last thing? What is the best time to take photos.
It's my first trip to the USA. Thank you

*I'm making a list of species if you want to see it. I take this opportunity to introduce you to my blog and if you like it, follow it. Although I am currently working on it to upload more than 1000 species photographed in Japan.

List of species that interest me from N.Y. (and my blog): **The animal photographs used for New York are just one example for identifying animals in zoos. The rest are mine**
ZOOTOGRAFIANDO (7.210 ANIMALS): NEW YORK
 
Last edited:
The Central Park Zoo and the natural history museum should definitely be doable in a day. I did a similar day in 2002, only with the zoo and the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
 
The Queens Zoo and Staten Island Zoo are definitely both doable by public transportation (I’ve been to both via a combo of train, ferry, and bus), but it may be difficult to do both using public transport in a single day.
 
zootografiando said:
And another question. At the Prospect Park zoo they have Felis nigripes but I have seen that the facility is too dark to take photos. Do you know if there is light first thing or last thing? What is the best time to take photos.
Click to expand...
Prospect Park Zoo has Felis margarita, the sand cat, and no longer has black-footed cats.

zootografiando said:
*I'm making a list of species if you want to see it. I take this opportunity to introduce you to my blog and if you like it, follow it. Although I am currently working on it to upload more than 1000 species photographed in Japan.

List of species that interest me from N.Y. (and my blog): **The animal photographs used for New York are just one example for identifying animals in zoos. The rest are mine**
Click to expand...
Unfortunately, I think you are using an outdated source for making the list of species you want to see, as many of the species listed are no longer housed at the zoos.

For Bronx Zoo:
  • Nine-banded armadillos (Dasypus novemcinctus) are not exhibited, although this species is kept at Staten Island Zoo.
  • Marmots (Marmota flaviventer) are not exhibited.
  • There might still be an Indian muntjac (Muntiacus vaginalis) on the Wild Asia Monorail, but the chance of seeing this species is slim.
  • Bronx won't be your only chance at seeing titi monkeys (Plecturocebus donacophilus)- Staten Island and Prospect Park also have this species!
  • Geoffroy's tamarins (Saguinus geoffroyi) are not exhibited.
  • I'm not as confident about some of the birds on your list, so hopefully someone who visits the zoo more often can help, as my visit was when World of Birds second floor was still closed.
  • What do you mean by "Icterus vulgaris"? I can't find any references to this species existing, and the image appears to be Icterus icterus, the Venezuelan troupial, a species I saw at both Central Park and Staten Island.
  • Some of the species you list I'm skeptical that the zoo keeps, but I'll leave answering that to people with more expertise on the bird collection.
  • Mary river turtles, Elusor macrurus, can also be found in the Zoo Center, not just Jungle World.
For Other Zoos:
  • There are no New England cottontails, Sylvilagus transitionalis, exhibited at Queens Zoo, nor are they exhibited anywhere.
  • Good luck on all the native birds you want at Queens- their aviary is massive and at least when I visited was understocked, so it can be difficult to find birds in it. Signage is also poor, so I don't know how many of the birds you want are kept or not.
  • There are definitely no Puerto Rican crested toads, Peltophryne lemur, exhibited at Queens, although they should be exhibited at Bergen County.
  • The microbat species at Central Park is Carollia perspicillata, the Seba's short-tailed bat, not Artibeus jamaicensis, the Jamaican fruit bat.
  • A lot of the waterfowl at Central Park are kept within the Tisch's Children's Zoo- so I definitely wouldn't miss that section.
  • Re: Bronx on Icterus vulgaris, that's actually Icterus icterus which is displayed.
  • I don't think there are any birds of paradise, Lophorina superba, exhibited at Central Park.
  • Similar to Bronx, there won't be any Geoffroy's tamarins, Saguinus geoffroyi, exhibited at Prospect Park.
 
Neil chace said:
Prospect Park Zoo has Felis margarita, the sand cat, and no longer has black-footed cats.
Click to expand...

Was this a recent change? They had them just 2 months ago.

Neil chace said:
I'm not as confident about some of the birds on your list, so hopefully someone who visits the zoo more often can help, as my visit was when World of Birds second floor was still closed.
Click to expand...
Neil chace said:
Some of the species you list I'm skeptical that the zoo keeps, but I'll leave answering that to people with more expertise on the bird collection.
Click to expand...

If either of you want to compare, I compiled a species list from my trio of June visits here -> [VISIT] Bronx Zoo Species List - 2024/06/16. This should include everything I saw or was signed.
 
Astrotom3000 said:
Was this a recent change? They had them just 2 months ago.
Click to expand...
I stand corrected. Last I knew was their black-footed cats passed away in 2022, and were replaced with sand cats (which I saw in May 2023). Black-footed cats must've returned sometime recently and I've just missed the news.
 
I did a similar trip with different combinations in May if you're considering other ideas. Some differences were due to prospect park still being closed and seeing the natural history museum previously.

day 1 - bergen county zoo and turtle back zoo with car
day 2 - bronx zoo - subway
day 3 - new york aquarium and central park - subway
day 4 - bronx zoo day 2 and queens - subway
day 5 - staten island zoo car

also world of birds level 2 was still closed in may but the monorail was open my 2nd day. On a side note, double check the pricing of nyc annual zoo passes. I went to bronx zoo twice and discovered an annual pass was cheaper even if it was just for the week. Also, some passes do and do not include the aquarium.

This is a weird suggestion but important if you're photographing a lot. The Staten Island zoo has a great reptile collection. Unfortunately, there was a shiny silver metal safety bar in front of most of the exhibits that put a terrible reflection in my photos. Thankfully, I had an extra shirt in my bag that I could use to put over the bar while I was taking photos to remove the reflection.

good luck and have fun. My favorite was the super active ring tailed mongoose at bronx.
 
First of all, thank you for giving me so much information. Now I'm going to try to answer everything you've told me. Thank you

*Prospect Park Zoo has Felis margarita, the sand cat, and no longer has black-footed cats.

-Yes it has them. At least one. I saw it in a video recorded just a few days ago. The facilities are very dark.

*Unfortunately, I think you are using an outdated source for making the list of species you want to see, as many of the species listed are no longer housed at the zoos.

-I rely on zootierliste to get an idea of the species kept by each zoo. When I put INT next to the animal (it is not on display), so I know the ones you tell me are not visible. but thank you for the information-

For Bronx Zoo:
  • Nine-banded armadillos (Dasypus novemcinctus) are not exhibited, although this species is kept at Staten Island Zoo.
I know

  • Marmots (Marmota flaviventer) are not exhibited.
I know
  • There might still be an Indian muntjac (Muntiacus vaginalis) on the Wild Asia Monorail, but the chance of seeing this species is slim.
Ok
  • Bronx won't be your only chance at seeing titi monkeys (Plecturocebus donacophilus)- Staten Island and Prospect Park also have this species!
I know, ;-)
  • Geoffroy's tamarins (Saguinus geoffroyi) are not exhibited.
According to a zoo worker, they are already on display, in the outdoor installation of the mouse house.
  • I'm not as confident about some of the birds on your list, so hopefully someone who visits the zoo more often can help, as my visit was when World of Birds second floor was still closed.
Based on a video uploaded to YouTube a short time ago, and where they recorded the informative posters of the species, they have these
  • What do you mean by "Icterus vulgaris"? I can't find any references to this species existing, and the image appears to be Icterus icterus, the Venezuelan troupial, a species I saw at both Central Park and Staten Island.
According to zootierliste, it was formerly called Icterus vulgaris and currently Icterus icterus. I do not know. But I'm writing it down in case some zoo keeps the old name.
  • Some of the species you list I'm skeptical that the zoo keeps, but I'll leave answering that to people with more expertise on the bird collection.
I am aware that some species may no longer be in the collection or off display. I base the list on Zootierliste and current informative videos
  • Mary river turtles, Elusor macrurus, can also be found in the Zoo Center, not just Jungle World.
I didn't know this. Take note. thank you

For Other Zoos:
  • There are no New England cottontails, Sylvilagus transitionalis, exhibited at Queens Zoo, nor are they exhibited anywhere.
I know. I spoke to them and they told me that they had them for breeding out of public view
  • Good luck on all the native birds you want at Queens- their aviary is massive and at least when I visited was understocked, so it can be difficult to find birds in it. Signage is also poor, so I don't know how many of the birds you want are kept or not.
TRUE. According to the video I saw on YouTube, it seems that there are few birds left. I will spend time seeing how many I can see and photograph.
  • There are definitely no Puerto Rican crested toads, Peltophryne lemur, exhibited at Queens, although they should be exhibited at Bergen County.
Ok
  • The microbat species at Central Park is Carollia perspicillata, the Seba's short-tailed bat, not Artibeus jamaicensis, the Jamaican fruit bat.
Ok
  • A lot of the waterfowl at Central Park are kept within the Tisch's Children's Zoo- so I definitely wouldn't miss that section.
Perfect, thanks
  • Re: Bronx on Icterus vulgaris, that's actually Icterus icterus which is displayed.
I already answered this, thanks
  • I don't think there are any birds of paradise, Lophorina superba, exhibited at Central Park.
According to zootierliste they have it, but I have not seen it in any video or information
  • Similar to Bronx, there won't be any Geoffroy's tamarins, Saguinus geoffroyi, exhibited at Prospect Park.
In Prospect Park I know, in the Bronx, according to what I have been told, it is visible in the exterior installation of the rodent house.

Thank you very much for the information and your time
 
fuzbal11 said:
I did a similar trip with different combinations in May if you're considering other ideas. Some differences were due to prospect park still being closed and seeing the natural history museum previously.

day 1 - bergen county zoo and turtle back zoo with car
day 2 - bronx zoo - subway
day 3 - new york aquarium and central park - subway
day 4 - bronx zoo day 2 and queens - subway
day 5 - staten island zoo car

This information is very valuable to me. I'm still doing my route. I don't have a car so I will try to visit what I can by public transport.

also world of birds level 2 was still closed in may but the monorail was open my 2nd day. On a side note, double check the pricing of nyc annual zoo passes. I went to bronx zoo twice and discovered an annual pass was cheaper even if it was just for the week. Also, some passes do and do not include the aquarium.

Interesting, I'll keep it in mind.

This is a weird suggestion but important if you're photographing a lot. The Staten Island zoo has a great reptile collection. Unfortunately, there was a shiny silver metal safety bar in front of most of the exhibits that put a terrible reflection in my photos. Thankfully, I had an extra shirt in my bag that I could use to put over the bar while I was taking photos to remove the reflection.

Brilliant. Very good advice. Thank you so much

good luck and have fun. My favorite was the super active ring tailed mongoose at bronx.

Thanks!
Click to expand...
 
I want to thank you all for the advice and comments.

Whenever I travel I make this type of list and I am aware that many species are not there. Then I come back sad hahaa
 
I did a trip to NYC earlier this year and had to solely rely on public transport. In the end I decided not to do Staten Island based on time (I had three days in the city) so did Central Park and Queens in one day, New York Aquarium on the second (would have done Prospect Park that day as well if it hadn't been closed for repairs), and Bronx on the third.

I only did a quick skim through your species list as it's quite lengthy but I can assure you that you won't see nine-banded armadillo or marmot at Bronx, superb bird-of-paradise at Central Park, or New England cottontail at Queens. The first two are used as ambassador animals and the second two are both kept completely behind the scenes. The only way to see the ambassador animals at Bronx is to pay for an animal experience and even then it's entirely down to the programme coordinators which are animals are rotated in. A friend visited and did the experience and they got to see southern ground hornbill, Brazilian porcupine, red-tailed boa, American alligator and red kangaroo.

Geoffroy's tamarin are indeed now onshow at Bronx (a single female living with a single golden-headed lion tamarin), and black-footed cat are back at PPZ but I have no idea where as obviously the zoo was closed when I was in the city.

Most of the venomous snakes and chelonians you list at Bronx are kept behind the scenes at Bronx.
 
ShonenJake13 said:
I did a trip to NYC earlier this year and had to solely rely on public transport. In the end I decided not to do Staten Island based on time (I had three days in the city) so did Central Park and Queens in one day, New York Aquarium on the second (would have done Prospect Park that day as well if it hadn't been closed for repairs), and Bronx on the third.

I only did a quick skim through your species list as it's quite lengthy but I can assure you that you won't see nine-banded armadillo or marmot at Bronx, superb bird-of-paradise at Central Park, or New England cottontail at Queens. The first two are used as ambassador animals and the second two are both kept completely behind the scenes. The only way to see the ambassador animals at Bronx is to pay for an animal experience and even then it's entirely down to the programme coordinators which are animals are rotated in. A friend visited and did the experience and they got to see southern ground hornbill, Brazilian porcupine, red-tailed boa, American alligator and red kangaroo.

Geoffroy's tamarin are indeed now onshow at Bronx (a single female living with a single golden-headed lion tamarin), and black-footed cat are back at PPZ but I have no idea where as obviously the zoo was closed when I was in the city.

Most of the venomous snakes and chelonians you list at Bronx are kept behind the scenes at Bronx.
Click to expand...
Yes, I am quite informed about the situation of each species. The list is as complete as possible but I am aware that many animals are not visible. I will take your advice into account when visiting zoos for days. Thank you so much
 
ShonenJake13 said:
Geoffroy's tamarin are indeed now onshow at Bronx (a single female living with a single golden-headed lion tamarin),
Click to expand...

I think you got it mixed up here; they do have Geoffroy's Marmoset (Callithrix geoffroyi) on exhibit as you mentioned (just outside the Mouse House), but they do not have Geoffroy's Tamarin (Saguinus geoffroyi), to my knowledge.
 
Last edited:
Oh my god, I am dumb, I actually saw and even photographed the Geoffroy's Tamarin during my visit and somehow got it mixed up with the marmoset (in my defense, Prospect Park had a ton of them on display in like 3 different enclosures).
 
Astrotom3000 said:
Oh my god, I am dumb, I actually saw and even photographed the Geoffroy's Tamarin during my visit and somehow got it mixed up with the marmoset (in my defense, Prospect Park had a ton of them on display in like 3 different enclosures).
Click to expand...

mmmmm, it seems strange to me that you have him photographed in Prospect Park. There they do keep them out of public view...and the one in the Bronx has been there for a short time
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top