Brown-headed Cowbirds are birds of the Western Prairies. They acquired their name from following herds of bison, feeding on the insects stirred up as the animals grazed the grasses. As the forests of Eastern Canada were cleared to provide agricultural farm lands, the cowbirds began to expand eastward, and their range now extends across Ontario.
Bird-Watching: Rose-Breasted Grosbeak
In the bird world, there is a basic premise that male birds with bright plumage leave nest building and incubation duties to the female as their bright colours would attract would-be predators to the nest site. I guess that theory was left out of the young male Rose-breasted Grosbeak’s school curriculum, because they engage, along with the female in all of those activities.
Bird watching: Red-Tailed Hawk
Red-tailed hawks are the most easily recognizable hawks we have. They are rather large, with stocky bodies and broad, rounded wings. They normally have brownish streaks on their white breasts, but their most distinguishing identifier is a short, wide and wonderful russet coloured tail.
In appreciation of the noisy, boisterous bullies
When I first wrote about Blue Jays back in 2012, concentration was on their darker, meaner, rogue side as members of the Corvid family of birds which also includes Crows and Ravens; how they steal eggs and young of other birds to feed their own young and how they bully any other bird or animal in the playground!
Snowbirds come here for the winter
Snow buntings are the most northerly nesting songbird in the world. They are incredibly tough, arriving on their nesting grounds in April when temperatures often drop to minus 30 degrees. Learn more about this incredible bird in an article written by Ron Reid.
Bird Watching: Bald Eagles making a comeback
Bald eagles in Ontario were designated as Endangered until just a few years ago. Thanks in part to the banning of DDT, they have made a comeback. Learn more about this bird.
Bird watching: Social season for grouse
Ruffed Grouse live in mixed hardwood and conifer forests where they can find refuge in the trees and enjoy the seeds of trees such as aspen and birch, as well as the numerous fruits of shrubs and bushes.
Bobolink Project with Earth Rangers Wrap Up
In partnership with Earth Rangers, we were able to help the Bobolinks by doing a research and monitoring project.
Turkey Vultures: “The Clean-up Crew”
Turkey vultures have not been our summer visitors for many years. Learn about this unique bird, behaviour and more in this Bird Watching article.
Protecting a Species at Risk on the Carden Alvar
The Couchiching Conservancy, along with partners such as Earth Rangers, have been tackling threats which endanger Bobolinks. One of the greatest threats relevant to Carden is loss of critical grassland habitat. As southern Ontario becomes intensely developed, prime Bobolink habitat is at risk. Ecosystems within the Carden Alvar remain as a sanctuary where conservation efforts can be focused in order to preserve this critical bobolink habitat.