It takes true star power to join the exclusive club of celebrity birds in New York City, and we can confirm that the American woodcock who has turned Bryant Park into its migratory dance floor has got that special something.
Over the past week, New Yorkers have stormed the Midtown park in (respectful) droves to catch a glimpse of what can only be described as the most popular new avian in town. Photographers with zoom lenses have crowded the flowerbeds to capture this feathered friend, social media has been awash with videos, bird walks are booked and bustling, and there's even merch to boot.
Department of Sanitation supervisor and birder Paul Ferris, sent us this video of the woodcock from last Sunday, doing its signature bop as the ABBA classic "Dancing Queen" happened to play over the parks' loudspeakers, causing the birders to erupt in laughter. "Yoink!" one yelled out as the bird stuck its long, thin beak into the ground and pulled out a squirming worm.