As winter solstice approaches and the evenings are getting darker, those winter blues might sneak in. Thankfully, nature is always there for us when we need it. Lift your spirits this season by taking up a new outdoor hobby – birding. Birding is the activity of observing birds in their natural habitats as a hobby.
Whether you’re a seasoned birder or new to the activity, it’s a great way to connect with nature all year long. Late autumn and winter is a great time for beginners to spot birds because there are fewer leaves on the trees.
While over 260 bird species call the Credit River Watershed home, we’ve selected five you’re likely to see around this time of year with helpful identification tips.
It’s a Crow! It’s a Raven! No, it’s a Fish Crow!
The American crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos) and the common raven (Corvus corax) are often hard to tell apart for new birders. They are both large, black-coloured birds in the corvid family with a lot of similarities. They’re easiest to identify by sound, but there are visual cues that can help you identify them too.
Ravens are larger in size with a bigger bill, often longer than their head. When in flight, ravens have a tapered tail that creates a diamond shape and four noticeably long and narrow feathers, or ‘fingers’ on each wing. Crows, however, have a slightly rounded tail and five broad feathers on each wing that are visible when flying.
If you are along the Lake Ontario shoreline, keep an eye and ear out for a fish crow (Corvus ossifragus) this year. The Credit River Watershed has seen a growing number of sightings, suggesting a slow northward migration.
Fish crows are similar to the American crow. They’re hefty, well-proportioned birds with heavy bills, sturdy legs and broad wings. But at rest, fish crows’ wings fall short of their medium-length bodies, and they have square tails.
Fish crows and American crows often feed together during autumn and winter. You can identify them by their unique nasal call and their habit of puffing out their neck and feathers, forming a ruffled collar around their throat.
Winter’s Icon: Snowy Owls
Witnessing owls in their natural habitat is a truly unforgettable event and some of the most sought-after species for birders to spot. The nocturnal nature of most owl species makes them difficult to find.
The snowy owl is a great species to spot while birding at our parks because, unlike their feathered owl friends, snowy owls (Bubo scandiacus) are diurnal, meaning they hunt during the day. Also, their snow-white feathers make them easily recognizable.
Snowy owls migrate in unpredictable invasions known as irruptions. Snowy owl sightings in Ontario change every year and we’re not sure what this season will bring, but we’re hoping for a good turnout.
Stay Sharp to Spot: Red-tailed Hawks
The red-tailed hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) is a bird of prey that occupies a wide range of habitats, including grasslands, small meadows, coniferous and deciduous forests, agricultural fields and urban areas. You may even see them before entering the park, perched on light posts and telephone poles.
Recently, our staff spotted one making use of a raptor perch pole erected at the future Jim Tovey Lakeview Conservation Area.
Red-tailed hawks are the largest hawks by weight in the Credit River Watershed. Like many raptors, the female is considerably bigger than the male, with a size difference of nearly one-third and can weigh up to three pounds, which is almost the same weight as a pineapple.
Red-tailed hawks have rounded wings and a short, wide tail on their broad bodies. On the outside, they are mostly a rich brown, while their underside is pale, almost white. Their bellies display brown streaks, and their wing undersides have a dark bar between the shoulder to the wrist. Red-tailed hawks get their name from their uniquely coloured tail, cinnamon-red on top and pale underneath, making them easy to tell apart from other hawks.
Dazzling Dark-eyed Juncos
These neat, dashing sparrows, known as dark-eyed juncos (Junco hyemalis), flit about forest floors across North America in winter. Due to their winter arrival and spring departure, they’ve earned the nickname “snowbirds”.
Dark-eyed juncos are medium-sized sparrows with a rounded head, a short, stout bill and a decently long tail. Coloured dark grey or brown, brightened up by a pink bill and bright white tail feathers that sometimes flash while flying, make them easy to recognize.
They are one of the most abundant forest birds of North America and are common visitors to backyards and parks across the watershed. You should be able to spot them in the forest as you hike along our park trails.
Disappearing Acts: Buffleheads
If you enjoy the tranquillity of sitting by the water with a cool breeze, birding for waterfowl is a peaceful activity for you to try.
If you spot a duck with a big head that abruptly vanishes under the water’s surface and pops up a minute later, it’s probably a bufflehead (Bucephala albeola) feeding. They spend their winters bobbing in bays, estuaries, reservoirs and lakes.
Adult male buffleheads have a white body, black back and a dark head with a large white patch wrapping around the back, which distinguishes them from loons and other ducks. Both females and first-year males are grey-brown with a distinct oval-shaped white patch on their cheeks.
Spread Your Wings and Start Birding at our Parks
If you’re ready to grab your binoculars and dive into birding as a hobby, remember to check our park advisories and weather forecasts before you head out. Park conditions will vary with the winter weather approaching.
Learn about the birding spots across the Credit River Watershed.
Contribute to citizen science by recording your birding activities on iNaturalist or FeederWatch. You can also share your exciting birding photos or stories with us on Instagram, Facebook and X.
By Sarah Lebret, Associate, Marketing and Communications.