This puzzle starts as a basic crossword. Solvers will be able to find seventeen different bird names hidden in the puzzle. They will also find a few horizontal phrases which confirm this (and wish them a Happy New Year). The completed grid looks like this:
Observant solvers will notice that each bird name crosses other bird names on at most two letters. These intersections connect these birds in a single chain from EAGLE to SWAN. Recording the connecting letters (EAGLE/TANAGER is A, TANAGER/STARLING is N, etc.) gives the phrase ANSWER ANGRY BIRDS. The answer is ANGRY BIRDS.