Black-throated Sparrow...

Photo by Johnathon Eckerson / Macaulery Library

Black-throated Sparrow (Amphiospiza bilineata)

I'm not sure why, but I have recently become attracted to the Black-throated Sparrow.  I have never seen one myself but its portrayed appearance is very appealing to me.  The black lores and triangular black patch on the throat and breast contrast distinctly with the white eyebrow, white whisker stripe and white underparts.

I have never seen one because I live in southern Ontario, just north of Toronto, and the White-throated Sparrow is native to the south-western U.S.A and Mexico.   It is fairly common in desert locales, especially on rocky slopes; and is casual to the eastern U.S.A. in fall and winter.

I am familiar with a few types of sparrows, but they are generally not  outstandingly noticeable creatures.   The White-throated Sparrow certainly seems to be quite noticeable to me.   I envy anyone who sees them regularly and would love to photograph them.

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BarrytheBirder

Photo by BarrytheBitrder

Canada Warbler (Wilsonia canadensis)

With temperatures at 17 and 18 degrees celsius for the next five days, local fields and streams and woodlands should be awash in warblers and other spring migrants this week.   They are so welcome.

Yellow-rumped Warbler

Yellow Warbler

Wilson's Warbler

Tennessee Warbler

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BarrytheBirder

Louisiana Waterhrush - early spring migrant in southern Ontario

Photo by Andy Ekerson / Macauley Library

The Louisiana Waterthrush (Parkesia motocilla), a relatively large member of the wood warbler family,  is one of the earliest spring migrants to arrive in southern Canada, particularly in Southern Ontario along the north shores of Lake Erie and the Niagara Escarpment.   It typically arrives by mid-April.

It is usually found in steep, forested ravines with fast-flowing steams.   Males and females are identical in appearance, with both having bright white eyebrows.   This bird is at the northern limits of its range in Ontario.   Local declines have occurred as forests were cleared and wetlands drained, particularly in southwestern Ontario.

The Louisianna Waterthrush was was already assessed as a 'species of concern' when the Endangered Species Act took effect in 2008.   The species was reassessed as threatened in June 2016.

The Canadian breeding population is estimated to be between 105 to 195 pairs, which represents less than one percent of the total continental population.   Although the species has declined locally in some parts of the breeding range, overall population levels have been relatively stable in both Canada and much of the U.S.A. over the past years.

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BarrytheBirder

When do spring-migrating warblers start to arrive in Canada?

Photo by BarrytheBirder

Pine Warbler

The earliest warblers to arrive in Canada during spring migration are generally the Yellow-rumped Warbler, Pine Warbler (see photo above), and Palm Warbler and Louisiana Waterthrush.

1. The Yellow-rumped Warbler (myrtle subspecies) is by far the earliest and most abundant, sometimes appearing in late March or early April in southern Canada.  They are often found in large numbers and are among the last to leave in the fall.

2. The Pine Warbler is among the first to arrive, frequently arriving mid-April to early May, and is often seen in pine forests.

3. The Palm Warbler arrives early, often in mid-April, and often noted for being about two weeks ahead of most other warbler species.   They are most commonly seen on the ground or in low shrubs.

4. The Louisiana Waterthrush is a rare but very early arrival, with some returning in the second week of April, in Ontario.

Following these, the next wave in late April to early May includes Black & White Warblers, Yellow Warblers and Black-throated Green Warblers.

The Ontario Field Ornithologists says  that while these hardy species start the season, the peak warbler migration in Canada occurs from mid-May (roughly May 10th to 20th),

during which 20 or more species can be seen in a single in hotpspots like Point Pelee, Ontario

Yellow Warbler

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BarrytheBirder

Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias)

Folk Art by Robert Wallace

Photo by BarrytheBirder

The Great Blue Heron is the largest and most widespread heron in Canada and the U.S.A.   Frequently solitary,  except around nesting colonies, lone birds are often seen flapping overhead, even miles from water.   They stand patiently at the waterside, waiting to spear fish or other amphibian creatures.  Two distinct forms of Great Blue are restricted to Florida: "Great White Heron (all white with yellow bill, pale legs) and  Wundemann's Heron (white-headed), mostly in the Keys.

The Great Blue is common buts breeds sporadically across large parts of its range.   A few birds winter far north of its breeding range.

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BarrytheBirder                                                    

Eastern Bluebirds...

 

Photo by Kevin Henseler

Eastern Bluebirds photo by Kevin Henseler at Lewis and Clark Lake, South Dakota.   Eastern Bluebirds are early spring migrants, arriving in places like southern Ontario, where I live, even before the last snows melt.

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BarrytheBirder

Early bird gets the worm...

 

Photos by BarrytheBirder

American Robin

Turdus migratorius

This traditionally early-arriving spring migrant thrush is often seen in southern Canada and the northern United States in early April looking for worms and insects and any other foodstuff as it prepares for the nesting season.   It is traditionally thought to signal the end of winter and is always welcomed enthusiastically.

It is common and widespread and brightens both forest and suburbs with its loud, flowing song, a variable "cheerilly, cheer-up cheerio"!

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BarrytheBirder

Eastern Bluebirds will arrive soon...

Photo by BarrytheBirder

According to my National Geographic Field Guide to the Birds of Eastern Northern America, by Jon L. Dunn and Jonathan Alderfer, Eastern Bluebirds have been in decline in recent decades due largely to competition with European Starlings and House Sparrows for nesting sites, but the provision of specially designed boxes has resulted in a comeback.

Eastern Bluebirds have Chestnut throats, sides and flanks, contrasting white bellies, and white undertail coverts, making them one of the most attractive of thrushes.

They are commonly found in the Great Lakes regions in summer, in open woodlands, farmlands, and orchards, nesting in holes in trees and posts, and in nesting boxes.

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BarrytheBirder

Swainson's Hawks around and about...

 

Photos by BarrytheBirder

It looks like the Town of Aurora, just north of Toronto, Ontario, will be playing host again this summer to a group of Swainson's Hawks that have inhabited the forests around the town for the past two summers.   In the past two weeks, five of the raptors have been seen circling over tall fir trees in the southwest part of town, where some were observed nesting last summer.   These birds as big as Red-tailed Hawks and seem quite comfortable circling close together  high overhead.   IO am seeing these birds often flying above the Delmanor Retirement Residence on Butternut Ridge Trail in southwest Aurora, west of Yonge Street.

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BarrytheBirder

Vancouver Island hummingbird...

 
Photo by Dave Kemp

My friend from British Columbia, Dave Kemp, sent me the photo above, of what I believe is a female Rufous Hummingbird (or Allen's Hummingbird), which he recently photographed on Vancouver Island.

This bird is common on the U.S. west coast and in lower British Columbia, and is the most widespread western 'hummer'.   Small numbers appear each winter in Texas and Louisiana.  It even reaches south-east Alaska in summer.   They are normally found in gardens, meadows, woodlands and wetlands.

They breed from southern Alaska to southern Oregon and western Montana.   They winter in Mexico and occasionally in southern California.    

The male's wings  make a slight trilling sound in flight.

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BarrytheBirder

Swainson's Hawks spotted mating...

 
Photos by BarrytheBirder

Swainson's Hawks mating over Aurora

Two of the half dozen Swainson's Hawks seen last year flying and mating over the town of Aurora, in York Region, north of Toronto on the north shore of Lake Ontario, appear to have recently returned and are seen above mating in tall fir trees yesterday, above the Oak Ridges Moraine in southwest Aurora, Ontario.  These Swainson's Hawks would seem to be part of a family of Swainson's that inhabited this same spot last year when four young hawks were produced.  Photos below are of the hawks raised last year in a nest on Butternut Ridge Trail, west of Yonge Street.

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BarrytheBirder

Akmost time for my favourite warbler...

Photo by BarrytheBirder

Canada Warbler (Wilsonia canadensis)

It's almost the end of March and time for the Canada Warbler to show up here in southern Ontario.   I love its black and yellow appearance, especially the necklace of sharp black stripes, and particularly its song: a fast musical jumble of notes.   It will be returning from South America and some will even stop and nest in Georgia.   The black necklace is most obvious on adult males, but its bold eye-ring is also distinctive.   For me, it is a true spring harbinger.

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BarrytheBirder

Swainson's Hawks have returned to Aurora...

Photos by BarrytheBirder

Five  Swainson's Hawks appeared over Aurora on Tuesday of this week.   In my opinion, they are all members of the same family that were here all last summer and fall in the southwest end of town, in the forests west of Butternut Ridge Trail and north of Wyatt Lane.   These hawks may have spent the winter as far south as Argentina.

 

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BarrytheBirder

Most colourful pest?

                                                                                Photo by Phil Roth

Recently published Starling photo by Phil Roth in Alberta, Canada, of which he wonders if this bird is not the most colourful pest.

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BarrytheBirder

A true harbinger of spring...the American Robin

                                                                           Photo by BarrytheBirder

                                 damp morning

                                 a gray yard

                                 before the morning

                                                                       -- Marian Clarke

                     Worms pulled out of earth

                     Like garlic during harvest

                     Robins slurp their feast

                                                            -- Justin Farley

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BarrytheBirder

It's not spring 'til the Goldfinch returns...

Photo by BarrytheBirder

Goldfinch grasps his branch

Perched above, his melody

enchants mere mortals

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BarrytheBirder

How many Western hemisphere warblers?

Photos by BarrytheBirder

Canada Warbler

(Wilsonia Canadensis)

There are approximately 115 to 120  species of New World warblers  (wood warblers) in the family Parulidae. These small, migratory birds are found exclusively in the Western Hemisphere, primarily north, Central and South America.   About half of the numerous species occur in in North America.

While they span the Americas, the highest diversity is found in Central America.  Most warbler species are medium to long-distance migrants, breeding in North America and wintering in the Neotropics.  

The Neotropics covers all of South America, Central America, the Caribbean Islands and south North America - specifically southern Mexico, the Yucatan Peninsula and southern Florida.   The whole region is one of the earth's eight major biogeographic realms, defined by unique plant and animal species.

Wilsons Warbler

Wilsonia pusilla

Orange-crowned Warbler

Vermivora celata

Common Yellowthroat

Geothlypis trichas

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BarrytheBirder

Finally...a Snowy Owl

Photos by BarrytheBirder

Finally, after waiting the entire winter to see a Snowy Owl, one passed by this morning over Aurora, Ontario, north of Toronto, Ontario.   Many have been reported this past winter hereabouts, but not by me.   For the past couple of years I have had luck spotting them in the northern reaches of the Holland Marsh, at the southern end of Lake Simcoe, near Keswick, Ontario, on the Ravenshoe Sideroad. (see photos above and below).

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BarrytheBirder

I've been publishing this blog for 20 years...

 

I began publishing this daily blog in 2006.  Over the course of 20 years, I have had almost 2 million hits on the site -  It's been a wonderful journey but it's more and more of a challenge to keep it up every day of the year, especially since I'm now in my 85th year and no longer drive.

Nevertheless, maybe just a few more weeks...especially since spring is upon us.

Please comment if you wish.

BarrytheBirder   

More Sabiston's Hawk activity...

The Swainson's Hawk pictured above was recently passed along to my partner Pat by a friend of hers in Barrie, Ontario, north of Toronto, Ontario.

This bird has probably just finished a winter migration from perhaps Alaska or Yukon to Argentina and back up again, a trip possibly of 20,000 kms!  Swainson's Hawks are noted for the longest migrations of any raptor in North and South America.

I have spotted them in Aurora, Ontario for the past two years and except to see them again this year.

More to come shortly, I hope...

Please comment if you wish.

BarrytheBirder

Evening Grosbeaks declining...

 

Male / Photo by Bellmare Celine / Macauley Library

Female / Photo by BarrytheBirder

                                                                                                  Image - Birds Canada

Birds Canada has selected the Evening Grosbeak as its 2026 Avian Ambassador.   83% of the Evening Grosbeak population has been declining across its range in lower Canada and the U.S.A. since the 1970s.   Go to Birds Canada for more information.

Please comment if you wish.

BarrytheBirder

Brant Geese heading to northern Canada...

Airforce Beach - Comox, Vancouver Island

Photos by Dave Kemp

Brant Geese  are seen returning to Kye Bay/Airforce Beach, near Comox, Vancouver Island.   The Brants are in search of their favourite foods: eelgrass and sea lettuce.   These geese are heading north to their summer breeding grounds in northern Canada, as well as northern Greenland and Russia.

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BarrytheBirder

American Crow (Corrus Brachyrynchos)

                                                                                                  Photos by BarrytheBirder

There are approximately 40 to 50 known species of crows and ravens in the world, all of which belong to the genus Corvus within the Corvidae family.  The term 'crow' often refers to smaller, black species, but this genus this genus also includes larger, glossy blackbirds known as ravens, rooks and jackdaws, covering more than 45 species overall.

Crows are found worldwide, inhabiting different regions of North America, parts of South America, Europe, Asia, Africa and Australia.   They are not found in the high Arctic or Antarctica.

America Crow, Fish Crow, Hooded Crow, Carrion Crow, and Large-billed Crow are common examples of the species.

The American Crow is a large bird L 24" (61cm), with a large head and long heavy bill.   It is common throughout most of its normal range in a broad variety of habitats.   Its normal range is from north-central British Columbia across Canada to Newfoundland. south to California, east Texas and Florida.

Common Crows winter in southern Canada and across most of the U.S.A.

               Please comment if you wish.

                                                                                                             BarrytheBirder

Doves and pigeons in North America...

Photo by BarrytheBirder

Mourning Dove

There are three pigeons and four doves to be found in lower Canada, the U.S.A, Mexico and central America.   One pigeon and one dove are most notable: the Rock Pigeon and the Mourning Dove.   I have no affection for Rock Doves, but I am very partial to the Mourning Dove, and have been so ever since first becoming aware of them.

The Mourning Dove has a trim body and a long tail that tapers to a point.   It has black spots on the upper-wings wings and a pinkish wash below.   In flight, they show white tips on their outer tail feathers.

The Mourning Dove's call is a mournful 'oowoo - woo - woo - woo', and its wings produce a fluttering whistle as the bird takes flight.

It is a abundant and widespread dove, found in a wide variety of habitats.

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comment

if you wish.

Barry the Birder