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Birds Canada

@birdscanada.bsky.social

3.6K followers 8 following 54 posts

Birds Canada is the country’s only national organization dedicated to bird conservation. Follow us for bird photos, facts & ways you can help!

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Birds Canada @birdscanada.bsky.social · Apr 3

Announcing Birds Canada’s 2025 Avian Ambassador: the Chestnut-collared Longspur!

Throughout 2025, we’ll be sharing more about the Chestnut-collared Longspur’s story, the threats facing grassland birds, and how we can take action to protect this vital ecosystem. Stay tuned!

Watercolour painting of a Chestnut-Collared Longspur.

What is an Avian ambassador?
Every year, we select an Avian Ambassador to help us share an important and current conservation story.
The Chestnut-collared Longspur will guide us through the urgent story of Canada’s disappearing grasslands - one of the most endangered ecosystems on the planet.

Meet the Ambassador
Found in the Prairies, the Chestnut-collared Longspur is a songbird known for the males' elaborate flight displays in their open grassland habitats, flying high and fluttering downward while singing a sweet, burbling song.

Stay tuned FOR MORE
Throughout 2025, we’ll be sharing more about the Chestnut-collared Longspur’s story, the threats facing grassland birds, and how we can take action to protect this vital ecosystem.

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Birds Canada @birdscanada.bsky.social · 5d

Voici le Roitelet à couronne rubis! Ce minuscule oiseau est toujours en mouvement, agitant rapidement ses ailes tout en cherchant des insectes dans les arbustes et les arbres.

Sa migration culmine au début d’octobre, alors ouvrez l’œil pour apercevoir ce petit oiseau toujours actif!

Un roitelet à couronne rubis s'accroche au côté de la tige d'une plante feuillue.

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Birds Canada @birdscanada.bsky.social · 5d

Meet the Ruby-crowned Kinglet! This tiny songbird is always on the move, flicking its wings as it searches for insects in trees and brush.

Migration peaks in early October, so keep an eye out for these striking little birds passing through!

A male Ruby-crowned Kinglet perches on a spruce branch, its red crest raised.

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Birds Canada @birdscanada.bsky.social · 6d

Yesterday, we lost one of the world’s most inspiring conservation leaders. Dr. Jane Goodall dedicated her life to deepening our understanding of nature and reminding us of our responsibility to protect it.

Her legacy will continue to shine through the conservation efforts she inspired.

A photo of a Sandhill Crane in flight with a superimposed text box containing a quote from Jane Goodall: "We need the green trees. We need the sky. We need the birds. We need to feel part of them."

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Birds Canada @birdscanada.bsky.social · 15d

Migration is a remarkable phenomenon in the animal kingdom. What if humans made the same journey? On the Warblers podcast, Wings of Survival athletes Timm Döbert and Leanna Carriere discuss their upcoming cycling trip along the Whimbrel's migratory route.

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Birds Canada @birdscanada.bsky.social · 20d

Voici la Grive à dos olive! Après la saison de reproduction, ce migrateur de longue distance quitte le Canada pour rejoindre ses aires de non-reproduction en Amérique du Sud.

Faites attention à sa migration vers le sud - vous pourriez en apercevoir une en train de faire le plein!

Une Grive à dos olive se perche dans un arbre dans ses zones de non-reproduction.

Une grive à dos olive penche la tête sur le côté depuis l'endroit où elle est perchée sur une bûche.

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Birds Canada @birdscanada.bsky.social · 20d

Meet the Swainson’s Thrush! After the breeding season, this long-distance migrant makes its journey from Canada to its non-breeding grounds in South America.

Keep an eye out for them as they migrate south - you may spot one fueling up before the next leg of its journey!

A Swainson's Thrush perched in a fruiting tree, surrounded by small red berries and dark rounded leaves.

A Swainson's Thrush stands alert, perched on moss.

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Birds Canada @birdscanada.bsky.social · 22d

A new study is shining a light on the Acadian Flycatcher, a small songbird that’s becoming less common in some areas. Using data from eBird and other sources, researchers dug into the habitats these birds rely on.

ace-eco.org/vol20/iss1/a...

An Acadian Flycatcher perches on a tree branch with overlay text that reads "New Study: Healthy Habitats Are Critical for Specialists like the Acadian Flycatcher"

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Birds Canada @birdscanada.bsky.social · 27d

Thanks to the Birds Canada Community Grant, the Hamilton Naturalists’ Club recently installed two new Purple Martin nesting colony structures at Saltfleet and Fifty Point Conservation Areas.

Learn more about the grant and apply today! Applications are open until Sep 29: tinyurl.com/mwbc2m37

Two Purple Martins perch on a gourd-shaped nest box, with overlay text reading The Birds Canada Community Grant in Action: New Homes for Purple Martins

Two people work on installing a nest box structure for Purple Martins.

A Purple Martin nesting box structure stands next to a sign explaining the project.

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Birds Canada @birdscanada.bsky.social · Sep 5

Meet the Canada Warbler! This striking “necklaced” warbler is named for Canada, with about 80% of all Canada Warblers breeding here. You may recognize this bird from Birds Canada’s very own logo! Have you spotted one on its journey this fall?

A male Canada Warbler perches on a leafless branch.

A male Canada Warbler perches on a branch.

A female Canada Warbler perches on a leafy branch.

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Birds Canada @birdscanada.bsky.social · Sep 4

A recent article published by The Narwhal explores the uncertain future of Wasaga Beach - and its Piping Plovers.

Read the full article: tinyurl.com/yc4m65ej

A screenshot of an article by The Narwal on Wasaga Beach's uncertain future.

A quote by Sydney Shepherd from an article by The Narwal on Wasaga Beach's uncertain future.

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Birds Canada @birdscanada.bsky.social · Sep 2

Imagine stumbling upon Black Swifts - one of Canada's rarest species - high on a mountain, above the clouds. BC Projects Coordinator Rémi Torrenta shares this story, along with Black Swift facts and monitoring season updates on the latest Warblers Podcast.

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Birds Canada @birdscanada.bsky.social · Aug 29

Many of Canada's Piping Plovers have left our shores to make their incredible journeys south for fall migration.

Great Lakes Piping Plovers usually overwinter in Florida and South Carolina, but can go as far as Mexico and the Caribbean. Here are a few ways these tiny shorebirds manage it!

A Piping Plover forages for food in organic debris on the shore. Overlay text reads As Piping Plovers prepare to migrate, they’ll spend most of their time foraging and sleeping to build fat stores - energy for their journey south!

A Piping Plover stands in shallow water. Overlay text reads They forage in wrack - organic material washed up on the shoreline - for small invertebrates.

A Piping Plover stands on the shore. Overlay text reads Piping Plovers exhibit high fidelity to wintering sites, returning to the same spot year after year.

A Piping Plover stands on a pebbled shore. Overlay text reads Piping Plovers use a run-and-pause hunting method, relying on their sharp eyes and fast reflexes to spot and catch their prey.

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Birds Canada @birdscanada.bsky.social · Aug 27

🌎 Fall migration has begun! Wondering which birds may be in your area this long weekend? Find out using the Birds in Your Region tool on our website! This tool creates a photo guide that represents the birds most commonly expected for the selected date and region. tinyurl.com/duh2xah4

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Birds Canada @birdscanada.bsky.social · Aug 25

🪺 Canada’s birds are full of surprises, and their nests are no exception.

Here are three more unusual nest builders! See all 7 extreme nest styles in our blog: www.birdscanada.org/the-nest-lev...

A female Baltimore Oriole perched near her nest. Overlay reads "Baltimore Orioles weave fibres together using their bills, creating an 8 to 10 cm basket nest."

A Cliff Swallow colony is seen on a cliffside. Overlay text reads "Cliff Swallows nest in colonies on surfaces like cliffsides, under bridges, and along the sides of buildings."

An ovenbird nest is seen on the forest floor. Overlay reads "Ovenbirds get their unusual name from their nest style, which resembles an old-fashioned outdoor oven with its covered dome shape."

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Birds Canada @birdscanada.bsky.social · Aug 18

Voici le Bécasseau semipalmé! Ce minuscule limicole de la taille d'un moineau effectue l'une des migrations les plus impressionnantes du monde aviaire.

Si vous croisez ces voyageurs remarquables cet été, partagez la plage!

Un bécasseau semipalmé se repose sur le rivage.

Un bécasseau semipalmé debout dans l'eau peu profonde.

Un bécasseau semipalmé debout sur le rivage.

Une volée de Bécasseaux semipalmés en vol.

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Birds Canada @birdscanada.bsky.social · Aug 18

Meet the Semipalmated Sandpiper! This tiny shorebird is about the size of a sparrow and makes one of the most impressive migrations in the bird world.

If you come across these remarkable travellers along the shoreline this summer, be sure to share the shore!

A Semipalmated Sandpiper rests on the shore.

A Semipalmated Sandpiper standing in shallow water.

A Semipalmated Sandpiper standing on the shore.

A flock of Semipalmated Sandpipers in flight.

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Birds Canada @birdscanada.bsky.social · Aug 15

In early June, Birds Canada Board Member and long-time supporter Janet Hill (@saskajanet.bsky.social) joined our team on a grasslands conservation tour across southern Saskatchewan.

Learn how science, innovation, and partnerships are making a difference for grassland birds: tinyurl.com/2j92txnt

A Western Meadowlark sings from sagebrush. Overlay text reads "Field Trip Report: On the Ground in the Grasslands with Birds Canada"

A Burrowing Owl perches on top of a fencepost, which bears an orange band of tape.

A female Sharp-tailed grouse stands alert in long grass.

A Long-billed Curlew walks through short vegetation.

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Birds Canada @birdscanada.bsky.social · Aug 11

🎧 New episode of The Warblers is out now!

In this podcast episode, Jody Allair shares why the Chestnut-collared Longspur means so much to him and takes us back to a magical moment during his Birdathon, when he came across a Chestnut-collared Longspur nest in southern Alberta.

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Birds Canada @birdscanada.bsky.social · Aug 1

Voici le Plongeon huard! Avec son plumage nuptial noir et blanc saisissant, ses yeux rouge vif et son cri résonnant, le Plongeon huard est un symbole de la nature canadienne.

En été, on peut observer le Plongeon huard sur les lacs intérieurs limpides de la majeure partie du Canada.

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Birds Canada @birdscanada.bsky.social · Aug 1

Meet the Common Loon! With its striking black-and-white breeding plumage, bright red eyes, and echoing call, the Common Loon is an icon of the Canadian wilderness.

In summer, Common Loons can be found on clear inland lakes across most of Canada, diving for fish and insects.

A Common Loon swims with a chick on its back.

A Common Loon chick hides behind its parent.

A Common Loon protectively lays on its nest.

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Birds Canada @birdscanada.bsky.social · Jul 25

Voici l'Oriole de Bullock! Cet oiseau chanteur vibrant de l'Ouest canadien est connu pour son plumage orange vif et ses marques noires et blanches.

Avez-vous eu la chance d'apercevoir cette beauté dans l'Ouest?

Un mâle Oriole de Bullock perché dans un arbre.

Une Oriole de Bullock femelle perchée dans un arbre.

Une femelle Oriole de Bullock perchée dans un arbre à côté d'un nid fait de ficelle et de rubans en plastique.

A female Bullock's Oriole perched in a tree, holding a string in her beak.

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Birds Canada @birdscanada.bsky.social · Jul 25

Meet the Bullock’s Oriole! This vibrant songbird of western Canada is known for its bold orange plumage and striking black-and-white markings.

Have you been lucky enough to spot this beauty out west?

A male Bullock's Oriole perched in a tree.

A female Bullock's Oriole perched in a tree.

A female Bullock's Oriole perched in a tree next to a nest composed of string and plastic ribbons.

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Birds Canada @birdscanada.bsky.social · Jul 24

Fixer des émetteurs Motus sur des Hirondelles bicolores… sans sons tendance.

Cet été, des chercheurs à Iona, en Colombie-Britannique, marquent des Hirondelles bicolores avec des émetteurs Motus afin de suivre leurs déplacements et leur utilisation de l'habitat.

Birds Canada @birdscanada.bsky.social · Jul 24

Motus tagging Tree Swallows… without trending audio.

This summer, researchers at Iona, BC are tagging Tree Swallows with Motus Wildlife Tracking System tags to track their movements and habitat use.

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Birds Canada @birdscanada.bsky.social · Jul 22

The Warblers Podcast explores bird photography with Liron Gertsman! Listen for tips on getting the best photos while minimizing your impact on wildlife, learn how photography can help conservation, and find out how you too could become a professional bird photographer.

A pair of Rock Pigeons preens each other.

A Bald Eagle pulls a fish from the water.

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