Bird Watching

Introduction to Bird Watching

Although the activity of bird watching is largely undeveloped in the Campbell River area, the possibilities for enjoying this fast growing activity are seemingly eternal.  The swamps, sloughs and estuaries of Vancouver Island are perfect habitat for a variety of water foul including some species that are not only endangered but can only be found on Vancouver island. 

Our woodlands are home to dozens of species that only flourish in heavily treed areas and the fast moving currents of the Georgia Straight are perfect feeding grounds for dozens of raptors and scavengers of all types, you could explore all year round.

If you are interested in participating in the activity of bird watching or taking up birding for the first time, here are some basics you need to know to start your out on your own.

            Birding and Bird watching what is the difference?

Birding and bird watching essentially mean the same thing;the activity is described as observing wild birds in their natural habitat.

            How do I go birding?

Bird watching requires you to learn to identify the birds, record their habits and habitat and take interest in what they are doing and why.  On Vancouver Island there are at least 200 species of wild birds that are relatively easy to find.  It is amazing how interested you become in all the varied species of birds that surround you once you get started. 

            Where do we find birds to watch?

Birding is something you can do in your own back yard if you choose, however; in our area you could start your list anywhere, the beach, the lake, the river or even the back country.  Once you get started and when you go traveling you begin to take note of any and all local birds that inhabit the area you are traveling in.

           What kinds of people watch birds?

People of all ages, from the youngest to the oldest, a family activity you can participate in all your life, all year round, in any part of the world.

Birding is one of the fastest-growing outdoor activity in North America.  Over 50 million North Americans report that they watch birds, and more people are taking it up all the time.

            Can I learn more about bird watching?

• Find a local bird club or go for a walk with other bird watchers.

• Search the internet for sites devoted to bird watching or subscribe to a monthly bird watching magazine.

• Order some DVDs on bird watching to get started.

• Go to the library and get a good bird book or field guide.

• Start noticing and recording the birds around you, take pictures and start a scrap book.

            Why birds?

Throughout history birds have delighted people all over the world because of their beauty, their song and their power of flight.  Historically, birds were recognized as omens. The ancient Romans believed that the flights and calls of birds could foretell the future.  All ancient civilizations created myths and legends around birds from the phoenix to the bluebird of happiness to the dove of love.

Today, modern science still values birds as a kind of oracle; bird populations are dramatically affected by the health of the environment and therefore they are a thermometer to gage the change and health of our ecosystems.

Specific birds are considered indicator species, like our abundant bald eagle; used to forecast environmental conditions, with this in mind our birds can assist us to plan a better, more sustainable relationship with nature.

            What's in it for me if I start birding?

• Family fun.  Big fun. A day with friends and family out doors helps us maintain a healthy connection with the immersing beauty of our natural surroundings.

• Personal satisfaction.  We are given the opportunity to hunt and therefore fulfill our natural instincts of survival without the killing. The perfect sport, in fact, you actually come away with something to show for the day, a journal and hopefully some pictures.

• Healthy activity.  Birding gets you out of doors and walking, something that we are lucky to be able to do for 12 months of the year on Vancouver Island.  Although the activity is relatively effortless, because of your attention being fixed on the birds, however sometimes while birding you can cover quite a bit of ground without being aware of it.

• Family togetherness.  Birding unites people across generations, with no restriction on age.  Parents or grandparents can guide younger children to an interest in nature that will stay with them all their lives.

• Group companionship. An ideal social activity for any group no matter how much knowledge they have.  With the sport growing as fast as it is a birder need never be lonely.

• Meditative solitude.  A special pleasure is received when Birding by yourself.  Your mind settles down, your senses open up, and all nature seems to become your friend. You become focused on what is around you and it serves to give you a meditative state that cannot be achieved in doors.

            The Science of Birding.

Birding also fulfills the quest for knowledge, even if you don’t realize it; each time you participate in the act of birding you gain more knowledge about the environment in which we live, not just about birds'  themselves but also about their songs, their behavior, and how they connect to their natural environment.  It's a perfect opportunity to enjoy a unique human pleasure—the successful exercise of lore.

Birders often have the opportunity to make real contributions to scientific knowledge, today; much of what ornithology knows about birds has come from dedicated birders whose observations were consistently recorded.

            What do I need to get started?

A pair of binoculars, a field guide, a hat, some water, a notebook, if in unknown territory a map and compass and a camera.

• Binoculars:  Any binoculars are better than none. You can start with whatever you have.  Of course the smaller and more powerful the better.  You can share with a friend; however it is better to have your own.

• Field guide:  A field guide is a little book that's packed with information about birds.  It's the next best thing to an expert birder by your side.  It describes and shows pictures of the birds, and it tells you which details of each bird to look for.  “Suggested field guide- Mike Yip Vancouver Island author on Vancouver Island Birds.”

• A hat, some water, a notebook and a camera:  Any old hat will do, however when you are birding the more unusual the hat the better, it should shade your eyes but not get in the way of your binoculars.  A notebook a pen and a sharpened pencil to record when and where you have spotted your bird along with any habits you may have seen being displayed; having this note book actually assists you in your observations as you tend to pay more attention when you are able to record your sightings.  A camera is not a necessity, however you never know when you may be lucky enough to get a good picture; and if you have access to one a vest to put all your gear in as this leaves your hands free and maintains easy access to your gear.

• The cost:  This is the beauty of Birding, it is so inexpensive to get started it is the best activity to undertake during these recessionary times.  And the beauty of it is that you are not taxed on spending more time performing the activity.  It takes a long time to wear out your gear and you can perform the activity as often as you want without additional expense.

Bird Watching Ethics

Migratory and ground-nesting birds are sensitive to disturbance.  Migratory birds require resting habitats and undisturbed access to food to successfully complete their migration.  Ground-nesting birds flushed from a nest may abandon their eggs or young.  Remember  birds expend valuable energy when avoiding people and dogs.  Please respect birds’ feeding, resting and nesting needs:

• Stay on designated trails.
• Use binoculars or scopes to watch wildlife.
• Learn to recognize wildlife alarm signals – when a bird changes behavior, even by stopping what it is doing, you are too close.
• Leave plants, they are important habitat.
• Keep dogs leashed, on designated trails and under control or leave them at home.

British Columbia Wildlife Watch is a provincial program designed to promote wildlife viewing opportunities.  It was initiated in 1989 by the Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks, now called the Ministry of Water, Land and Air Protection.  For more information on wildlife viewing opportunities throughout British Columbia contact:

Designing your Checklist

            Explanation of Symbols

When recording there are standard symbols used to identify specific information.  This basic template may help you gain an understanding of the things you should be recording.

            Seasonal Occurrence

            Relative Abundance

            Other symbols

A Partial List of our Local Birds

Bald Eagle

The bald eagle is only found on the North American continent, with their presents being quite prevalent on Vancouver Island.  Whether they enjoy bird watching or not; most people would be impressed by this majestic bird and its habits.

            Description:

Full grown these birds weigh 9 to 12 pounds and have a wing span of up to 2 to 3 meters.  An impressively large dark bird with a white head and distinctive white tail, with a length between 90 to 120 centimeters, this makes them one of the largest birds in North America, with the females being the larger of the species.

Bald Eagles have a life span of up to 40 years in the wild.  In most areas of the United States, after significant population declines in the 50’s and 60’s, bald eagles were listed as an endangered species in 1978.  By 1995 their status was upgraded to threatened, they continue to be protected under the Endangered Species Act, the bald eagle Protection Act, and the Migratory Bird Treaty Act.   On Vancouver Island the population of bald eagles has never been threatened and their species continues to flourish today.

            Feeding Habits:

Bald eagles feed mainly on fish, but they are also scavengers and skilled hunters, with keen eyesight that enables them to spot prey from over a mile away, they are able to capture waterfowl in flight, salmon while they are swimming and rabbits on the run.

With a flight speed of up to 35 kilometers an hour they can dive from great heights with a speed of up to 140 kilometers per hour.  Bald eagles catch their prey in their talons and carry it off, and are able to lift about 6 pounds, although they have been reported to be found literally swimming to shore with salmon trapped in their claws that weigh over 20 pounds.

Living near large bodies of open water close to marshes, the seacoasts and rivers, where there are plenty of fish to eat and tall trees for nesting and roosting.

            Mating, Nesting Habits:

Monogamous and mating for life, bald eagles will only select another mate if its companion should die.  A massive platform nest of sticks and vegetation lined with moss and grasses is placed on cliff ledge or in the fork of a tree.  Usually, on the highest perch that offers the best visibility.   It is not uncommon for a family of eagles to have more than one nest, using the second nest as a decoy.

Nests are enlarged each year and can become quite large with some local nests reported to have reached sizes of more than 3 meters in diameter, these massive platforms can weigh several tons.

Eagles lay from 1 to 3 eggs between late May and early June every year, after 34 to 36 days of incubation, the young birds called eaglets emerge.  Feeding and brooding responsibilities are performed by both adults.  The young leave the nest in 10 to 12 weeks, are dark brown in color and make a resounding and distinctive song when calling to their parents.  The head and tail feathers turn predominantly white in their fourth or fifth year.

Only about 50% of eaglets hatched survive the first year.  Most eagles migrate in winter, however in the Campbell River area our eagle population generally enjoys a mild climate and an abundant food source during the winter months and therefore stay in the area all year.

Bald eagles can be sedentary creatures, often remaining on the same perch for hours at a time, giving bird watchers a great opportunity for viewing and picture taking.

Dark Eyed Junco

Commonly called snowbird, because of its sudden appearance around winter bird feeding stations, is a member of the sparrow family.  In the beginning there were four different birds, slate-color, Oregon, white-winged, and grey-headed.  Now, all are re-classified as one species, the dark-eyed junco.

            Description:

The dark eyed junco is 12 to 15 centimeters long with a pinkish bill and dark eyes.  The male has a black hood and the female has a grey hood and a brown back.  The "Gray-headed" race of Vancouver Island has light gray with a reddish-brown back.

            Mating Habits:

These birds are generally monogamous (one male to one female) defending their territory during the nesting and breeding season and although these birds can vary in appearance from region to region, they will breed freely with one another.

            Nesting Habits:

The female builds and places its cup shaped nest on the ground near tall vegetation using grasses, moss and twigs in its construction and lining the nest with rootlets.

The female lays 3 to 6 gray or pale bluish eggs with dark blotches with the incubation beginning the night before the last egg is laid.  The female incubates the eggs for 12 to 13 days and the young leave the nest about 9 to 13 days after hatching.

Dark eyed juncos may lay 1 - 2 broods’ each season.

            Feeding Habits:

These birds feed mostly on the ground, eating weed and grass seeds.  In summer this bird feeds mainly on insects.

            Interesting:

These birds have an interesting wintering habit; males will winter farther north than females.  Younger males will winter farther north than older males.

It's believed dark-eyed juncos do this in order to get back to the breeding ground to claim territory.  Since females do not claim territory, they can winter farther south.

Downy Woodpecker

           Description:

The downy is the smallest of our woodpeckers. About 15 to 20 centimeters long and 5 centimeters shorter than the look-alike hairy woodpecker, with a white back and white under belly, white spotted black wings a black-and-white-streaked face.  The males have an added red on the nape.

            Voice:

During the breeding season the downy and other woodpecker species do drumming - loud, continuous, very rapid pecking on resonant surfaces such as dead tree stubs. This is done to announce territory and to attract a mate during breeding season.

            Habitat:

You'll find these birds in open woodlands, orchards, parks, and backyards.

            Mating Habits:  

During the mating season male woodpeckers of all kinds continually drum to attract the females.

            Nesting Habits:

This bird excavates its nest cavity in dead wood about 2 to 12 meters above the ground.  The female downy woodpecker lays 4 to 5 white eggs which are incubated for 12 days or so, by both male and female. The young will leave the nest 28 to 30 days after hatching.

On Vancouver Island it is usual for the pair to raise 1 brood per season however if the weather is warm for long enough they may raise 2 broods.

            Feeding Habits:

These woodpeckers feed on insects especially wood-boring insects;  they supplement their diets with berries and seeds.

European Starling

            Description:

These birds measure 15 to 20 centimeters long and have a stocky build and short square-tipped tail.  In summer the long pointed bill is yellow.  In winter their plumage is speckled with white and its bill is blackish, with the younger birds having a uniform brown with dark bills.

            Introduced Species:

Not indigenous to this area the starlings were imported from England In 1890 by Eugene Scheifflin who turned 60 of these birds loose in New York City’s Central Park with forty more being released the next year.  This effort was made to transplant all the birds mentioned in Shakespeare’s New World.  The program was so successful that to date millions of these birds inhabit the North American continent from seaboard to seaboard, with an estimated population of 200 million.

            Mating Habits:

The mating habits of these birds begin in late February and can continue through June, with the males choosing a nesting site and the females choosing the male, generally they are a monogamous bird however on occasion the male may change mates between broods.

Courtship behavior consists of the male perching near his nesting site crowing and waving his wings when a female flies close by.  If a female is near the males nest site, he may pick up leaves in his beak and go in and out of the nest cavity.  You can tell when the two have paired when they begin to go through their activities together.  Before pairing, these birds feed and fly as individuals.

            Nesting Habits:

The nesting habits may begin as early as fall, selecting a cavity in a building, birdhouse, or an old woodpecker hole, approximately one to 5 meters above the ground.  Starlings are aggressive at claiming their nesting sites, often displacing more desirable native cavity nesters such as bluebirds and purple martins.  The male first cleans out any previous nesting materials and begins placing dried leaves, bark, moss or lichens in the cavity.  When the female pairs with the male she cleans out the nest and rebuilds it primarily with grasses.

The female lays 4 to 5 white, pale-blue, or greenish eggs which are incubated by both the male and female during the day and only the female at night.  Incubation usually consists of a 12 day period with both parents responsible for feeding the young; then the young leave the nest 21 to 23 days after hatching.  A second brood is usually started about mid-summer.

            Feeding Habits:

The starlings feeding habits are a bit unique in that they posses’ special strong muscles that enable them to open their beak while probing the ground, a performance called gaping which is also found in blackbirds.  This behavior allows them to catch prey unavailable to other birds.

The Starlings diet consists of insects, spiders, worms, fruit, and seeds.  Because of the aggressive nature of the Starling it is unusual to see other birds around when they are in residence.  So much so that they are considered to be a pest by farmers and city managers because of their negative impact on other native bird species.

House Finch

Before 1936, the male house finch was kept in pet stores and sold as "Hollywood finches," because of its plumage and pleasant song. Released into the wild, populations have developed in the Pacific Northwest from British Columbia to California.

            Description:

The male house finch has a length of an estimated 15 centimeters, with red on the head, upper breast and flanks.  In some regions the color red may be replaced with yellow or orange, due to the differences in regional diets.  The female has a uniformly brown-streaked head with broad brown streaking on the breast and belly, the under tail coverts are usually not streaked.

            Mating Habits: 

During courtship, females solicit food from prospective mates with the males reacting to her by either mock feeding or actually regurgitating food in the female's mouth.  During the mating season, males may be seen carrying sticks or other nesting material in their bills.  As with most songbirds, they are monogamous.

One interesting detail is that the males will defend their female mate rather than nesting territories as other birds do.

            Nesting Habits:

Although bird watchers may see the male with nesting material, only the female actually builds the nest.  Cup shaped and made of twigs, grasses, and leaves the nest is usually placed in a variety of artificial and natural cavities such as old woodpecker holes, located 1 to 3 meters above the ground. 

The female lays and incubates 2 to 6 bluish with fine speckling eggs for 12 o 14 days and the young leave the nest in 11 to 19 days after hatching.

During the incubation period and for about five days after the young have hatched, the male, feeds the female on the nest, by regurgitating seeds into the females’ mouth.  The female intern regurgitates the food to the nestlings.

After the young have fledged, the parents continue to feed the young.  The female may find a new mate and raise another brood while the male continues to feed the previous brood.  House finches have been known to raise more than two broods in a season.

            Feeding Habits: 

Unlike many other birds who switch their eating habits in spring and summer, finches are vegetarians all year.  Their diet consists of seeds, fruit, and buds.  Even during the breeding season these birds regurgitate seeds to their young.

Western Meadowlark

The two North American meadowlarks, the eastern and western are so similar in appearance that even side by side it would be difficult to tell them apart.

            Description:

Meadowlarks are stocky birds 20 to 25 centimeters in length.  The outer tail feathers are white; the breast is yellow with a black V, with the upper part of the breast being streaked.  The western species is slightly paler than the eastern breed.

            Voice:

The westerns song is louder and more musical, singing five to seven flute like notes.  The easterners voice is clear and high-pitched, singing three to five notes.  The song of these two birds is the best way to distinguish them from one another.

            Mating Habits:

The nest is a domed cup of grass and stems, usually on the ground in grassy fields or meadows. The female lays 3 to 7 eggs that are white and completely spotted and speckled with brown.  The female incubates the eggs for 13 to 14 days with the young leaving the nest 12 days after hatching.

Usually 2 broods are raised each year.

            Feeding Habits:

During the breeding season, insects such as spiders, grasshoppers and others are eaten.  During the non-breeding season, these birds will eat wild fruits, grain, and wild grass seeds.         

These birds have a complex bill musculature that allows them to force the bill open with considerable strength. This allows them to insert the bill into the ground or grass tangle, and then opened, prying apart the substrate.  While this happens the eyes rotate forward slightly and the birds can see directly between their jaws into the hole they have created.  This technique is referred to as "gaping".  Gaping allows meadowlarks to retrieve insects that other bird species are unable to retrieve.

Northern Flicker

Is a large bird measuring between 25 to 30 centimeters long.  The back and wings are brown/tan and black-barred with a whitish or buffy breast with black spots and a wide black band across the breast.

Their appearance differs depending on where they live.  In the east the bird is known as the yellow-shafted flicker since it has yellow under its wings.  In the west lives the red-shafted flicker with its red under wings, under tail, and mustache.

            Voice: 

"Woikawoikawoika" call used when courting.

            Habitat:

Northern flickers can be found throughout North America in parks, suburbs, farmlands, woodlands, and deserts.  Where the bird ranges overlaps, different flickers sometimes interbreed, creating more varied characteristics.

            Mating Habits: 

Head bobbing accompanied by the birds "woikawoikawoika" call, is done by mated pairs as part of courtship.

            Nesting Habits:

As a cavity nester the flicker will excavate a nest in a tree, post anywhere from 1 to 30 meters above ground.  The female will lay 7-9 white eggs that will be incubated by both male and female for 11-12 days. The young birds will leave the nest in 25-28 days after hatching.

            Feeding Habits: 

Unlike many others in the Pilelea family, (woodpeckers) these birds are ground feeders foraging for ants, which are 45% of its diet, in addition to catching insects in the air, they have also been known to feed on fruit, berries, and seeds.

            Side notes:

This bird eats more ants than any other North American bird.  Its tongue extends almost three inches beyond its beak, which is ideally suited to this purpose.

Common Pigeons

            Description:

Or rock doves are often considered a nuisance city and farm bird.  Introduced into North America from Europe long ago, these birds have been associated with humans for thousands of years.  Thought to have been the first domesticated bird, raised for meat as far back as the time of the ancient Egyptians, these birds have developed many different color variations due to breeding practices by humans.  Commonly the rock dove is roughly 25 centimeters in length with a dark grey head, iridescent neck, with a light grey back and 2 dark wing bars.

            Voice:

A very pleasant cooo sound that mimics a cat’s purr.

            Habitat:

Since this is primarily an urban bird, any area where there is urban settlement can represent suitable habitat.

            Mating Habits:

Pairs of rock doves are monogamous, often breeding in consecutive seasons for as long as both birds live.  Most will attempt to raise several broods each year, with some pairs rearing as many as four or five broods in a single year.

            Nesting Habits:

The male bird selects a sight for the nest in front of the female, then picks up one stick and carries it back to present to the female and places it at her feet. The female who stays at the nesting site accepts the stick the male brings her and places it underneath her as a gesture of construction.  The location of these nests can be found along building ledges, rafters, beams, and under bridges or inside barns.  The nest is saucer-like in shape and made of stems, and leaves.

The female may sit on the nest a day or two before the first of two while eggs are laid.  Both the male and female will incubate the eggs, although the female does the incubation during the night. Incubation last for 8 days and after hatching the young will leave the nest in 25 to 29 days.

Initially, the young are fed "pigeon milk" (regurgitated food from the parent’s crops).  Over a 10 day period, then the young are fed increasing amounts of solid food such as caterpillars.

            Feeding Habits:

Primarily scavengers and ground feeders, the rock dove’s diet consists primarily of cracked corn, crumbs and other grains and seeds.

Pileated Woodpecker

            Description:

Is the largest North American woodpecker, although the ivory-billed is actually a larger variety, its numbers are such that it is, sadly, near or at extinction levels.  Measuring 30 to 40 centimeters in length with a red crest and black bill, the male pileated has a red patch at the base of the bill whereas the female has a black patch at the base of the bill.

            Voice:

While not a rare bird, they are quite shy.  Listen for a low-pitched drumming that trails off in speed and volume at the end.  Follow the sound, and you just may find one.

            Habitat:

You'll find these birds in mature forest with large trees with territory ranging from 150 to 200 acres.

            Mating Habits:

To attract mates, the male will drum on trees to advertise his presence to any females in the area.  Drumming is also done between mated pairs as part of courtship.

            Nesting Habits:

Signs of their presence can be detected by looking for 5 to 7 centimeter holes in trees.  The nest cavity is excavated in dead wood 5 to 25 meters above ground.  The entrance hole is 8 centimeters in diameter.  The depth of the cavity is between 25 and 50 centimeters deep.  The female will lay 3 to 5 white eggs which will be incubated for 15 to 16 days by both the male and female birds.  The young will leave the nest in about 28 days after hatching.

            Feeding Habits:

Since these birds eat carpenter ants who tunnel deep into the wood, the birds are capable of excavating long gashes in tree to retrieve the ants.

The Pine Siskin

            Description:

The pine siskin is similar to the goldfinch in appearance and song, with the pine siskin being 10 to 12 centimeters in length, coloring includes a brown-streak over and lightly streaked under side of their body.  The wings and tail have yellow patches, with some of the birds being more heavily streaked with less yellow on the wings.

            Habitat:

Moving around in response to available food supplies, the pine siskin may or may not be seen in the same spot.  On Vancouver Island, you may see many of these birds one year and quite possibly none the next.

            Mating Habits:

The courtship of this bird begins in January and February while still in winter flocks.  One aspect of their courtship is mate-feeding, this behavior consists of the male taking food in his bill, flying to the female, and giving it to her.  Alternatively; another mating habit is a dramatic flight display by the male, leaving his perch close to a female, the male flies up in circles with tail spread and a rapid fluttering flight, singing non-stop when he stops circling he drops down to perch near the female.  He may repeat this flight display several times.

            Nesting Habits:

The nesting habits of pine siskin as it pertains to locality are irregular.  Depending on whether there is an abundance of food supply, if food is plentiful they will remain in an area and if food is scarce they will move on.

The nest is placed in a tree branch usually a conifer from 1 meter to 15 meters above the ground, made of grasses, twigs, rootlets, bark strips, and lichens lined with feathers, fur, and rootlets.  The female lays 1 to 5 light green-blue with dark marks eggs that are incubated by the female for 13 days.  The young will leave the nest 15 days after hatching.

            Feeding Habits:

The pine siskin’s natural diet consists primarily of seeds; favorites include the seeds of conifers, birches, alders, and a wide variety of weed seeds.  Other feeding habits include gleaning aphids off tree leaves, eating the leaves and flowers off young plants, and eating young vegetable shoots from backyard gardens.

Purple Finch

            Description:

The male purple finch is about 15 centimeters in length and has a raspberry or wine colored upper breast and flanks which are brightest in summer. The head is red with little or no brown streaking on breast or flanks.  The female purple finch has a well defined pattern on the face, broad white eyebrow, brown eye line, and white cheek.  Her breast has broad, blurry, brown streaking with no streaking under the tail coverts, both the immature male and female look like the adult female.

            Habitat:

The purple finch has a wide range of habitat preferences, ranging from evergreen forest to mixed upland wood, orchards, parklands and backyards.

            Mating Habits:

During the mating season the male purple finch will hop and sing in the presence of a female bird, he may hop as high as 15 to 20 centimeters with his chest puffed out and tail cocked.  Although he may bring a small amount of nesting materials to the nest site, it's the female finch that actually selects the sight and builds the nest.

            Nesting Habits:

Once the female selects the nesting site, she builds the nest which represents a shallow cup made of twigs, grasses, rootlets, and string lined with animal fur, horsehair, moss and rootlets.  The nest is placed in the crotch of a tree, usually a conifer, about 1 to 20 meters above the ground.

The female will lay and incubate 3 to 6 eggs that are light green-blue with dark marks rarely leaving the nest.  The male will feed the female regurgitated seeds for the 13 days it takes to incubate the eggs.  The young will leave the nest 14 days after hatching.

            Feeding Habits: 

These birds forage both on the ground and above in foliage for seeds and buds of trees and weeds, berries, and insects.

           Lifespan:

The average lifespan of the purple finch is 3 to 4 years, although it is not uncommon for them to live 6 to 7 years.

Red Breasted Nuthatch

            Description:

The red-breasted nuthatch measures about 10 to 15 centimeters in length, with a black cap, black eye line, and white eyebrow, a stocky, small bird, with a short tail, blue-grey back with rusty breast.  The female and young have duller head markings and lighter breasts.

            Voice:

Males can be heard singing their courtship song in early morning, also from the top of trees.

            Habitat:

While a permanent resident in its breeding range, the red-breasted nuthatch sometimes migrates south during periods of a short food supply of conifer seeds.

            Mating habits:

Considered monogamous, red-breasted nuthatches carry out their courtship displays at the top of trees.

            Nesting Habits:

Beginning in late April early May, the nuthatch pair begins excavating a cavity nest in a dead tree, the nest site can be anywhere from 1 to 30 meters above ground, although 5 meters above ground is average.  Inside the cavity, bark strips, grass and plant fibers are placed at the bottom for nesting materials.

An interesting note about the red-breasted nuthatch is their habit of placing droplets of resin, or pitch, from balsam fir, or pine trees to smear around the entrance hole of the nesting site.  This practice continues throughout the nesting phase, resulting in an area sometimes 5 centimeters or more smeared with the sticky substance.  The reason for doing this is unknown; however speculation is that the practice keeps ants and small mammals from entering the nest.  The nuthatches themselves are able to fly straight into the hole without being affected by the pitch.

The female lays 4 to 7 eggs that are white with fine brown spots.  Incubation lasts 12 days; sources differ as to whether the female or both sexes incubate and the young leave the nest 18 to 21 days after hatching.

            Feeding habits:

The red-breasted nuthatches’ diet consists of conifer seeds and insects; interestingly you'll often see this bird upside down on the side of a tree trunk, gleaning insects from bark crevices.

Red-Tailed Hawk

            Description:

A large bird; the red-tailed hawk measures 50 to 60 centimeters in length with a wing span of 1.5 meters, with the female being up to a third larger than the male.  The plumage of these birds varies depending on the region in which it resides; however, typically, the adult bird is a dark brown above, white breast, and a band across the belly with a brick red tail on the upper side.

Immature red-tails are similar in appearance, except the tail is brown and banded instead of reddish.

            Habitat:

One of the most commonly seen; the red-tailed hawks can be found all across North America.  Preferring a variety of open habitats, this bird can be seen holding still into the wind while hunting its prey.  The northern populations of the red-tailed hawk (Alaska, Canada, Northern United States) migrate south in winter.

            Mating Habits:

Beginning in late winter or early spring the mating and breeding habits of these birds include aerial displays meant to advertise their readiness for breeding, generally monogamous, these birds’ pair for life, seeking a new mate only if the original partner is lost.

            Nesting Habits:

The male and female participate in the building of the nest which is a platform constructed of sticks and twigs, lined with bark and greenery. The nest is located in a tree, 10 to 40 meters above ground.  The female lays 1 to 5 bluish white eggs with dark marks.  The eggs are incubated by both male and female for 28 to 35 days.  The young will leave the nest in 44 to 46 days after hatching.  Each pair raises only one brood a season and they may re-nest if the first nesting attempt is unsuccessful.

            Feeding Habits: 

Highly valued by farmers, the red-tailed hawks may perch, hover, or hold still into the wind when hunting for mice, birds, large insects, reptiles and other mammals.

            Lifespan:

The average lifespan in the wild ranges from 13 to 20 years.

The Red-Winged Blackbird

            Description:

The red-winged blackbird is 15 to 20 centimeters in length.  The male bird is black with red shoulders’ outlined with yellow.  The female is brown on top and heavily streaked brown on the breast with a sharp-pointed bill and a whitish eyebrow.  The young males are similar to the adult female bird, but darker and with an orange shoulder patch bordered by white.  Female young are similar to the adult female.

            Habitat:

The red-winged blackbird is found in marshes and meadows.

            Mating Habits:

Males defend a territory of 1/8 to 1/4 of an acre by singing from perches with wings spread open and red shoulder patches exposed.  Wintering in the southern United States, these birds head north at the first hint of spring.  The older males arrive first and defend their territory against the younger males who arrive later, and then the females arrive several weeks after that.  These birds are not monogamous and average 3 mates per breeding season. 

Once these older males establish their territories and have selected their mates, the first year males appear and compete with the older males.  The defeated young then gather in bachelor flocks and wait until next year.

            Nesting Habits: 

The cup shaped nest is built by the female, made of grass, attached to reeds or in small bushes.  The female lays and incubates 3 to 5 pale blue eggs, marked with zigzag lines of brown or black.  Incubation lasts 12 days and the young will leave the nest from 10 to 13 days after hatching.

            Feeding Habits:

The red-winged blackbird feeds on seeds, grain, insects and spiders.

Red Breasted Robin

This red breasted bird marks the return of spring on Vancouver Island.  They are represented in abundance and because of this they are one of the easiest birds to watch while they go about their nesting and feeding habits.  One of the most common native birds of the east and the largest of the thrush family, hardly a garden in North America has not been visited by this bird which is often referred to as the red robin.

            Description:

American robins have grey upper parts and the familiar reddish breast, varying from pale rust to a dark brick red, male and females look nearly identical although the female is a bit duller.

Sometimes during nesting season you'll see mud on the breast of a female, since she is the one that lines the nest with mud, the average size of this bird is 22 to 25 centimeters long.

            Habitat:

This is a bird of woodland edges and openings, preferring open ground where it can easily forage for insects.  Try placing fruit on tray feeders or planting fruiting shrubs to attract more of them to your backyard garden.

After the breeding season, robins flock together and go to large communal roosts at night.  This habit continues from fall through winter, and then they return at the first signs of the spring thaw.

            Nesting Habits:

The song of the male is to advertise his territory or to attract a mate; this song is most prevalent just before the young hatch.

The nest is generally constructed with grasses, with a middle layer of mud, and then lined with finer grasses for softness. The nest is usually placed in the crotch of a tree or shrub 1 to 8 meters above the ground.  The availability of mud at nesting time may entice these birds to nest nearby; they will also make use of wool, string and hair.

Robins can produce up to three successful broods in one year, on average though, only 40 percent of nests successfully produce young and only 25 percent of those fledged young survive to November.  From that point on, about half of the birds alive in any year will make it to the next.

Despite the fact that they can live to be 14 years old, the entire population turns over on average every six years. The female lays 3 to 7 light blue eggs that are incubated for 12 to 14 days and the young leave the nest in about 14 to 16 days.

            Feeding Habits:

Robins eat different types of food depending on the time of day, with earthworms and insects being consumed early in the day and berries and fruit later on.  Because they forage largely on lawns, they are vulnerable to pesticide poisoning and can be an important indicator of chemical pollution.

The Rufous-Sided Towhee

            Description:

Male Towhees are 18 to 24 centimeters in length, the western birds have dark heads and backs, a white belly, and a red eye in addition to white spots on their dark wings and back.  Females are similar to the males in appearance, but the black areas are more of a brown or brownish grey.

            Voice:

The rufous-sided towhee has a scientific name that is nearly impossible to pronounce (Pipilo erythrophthalmus).  Translated it means "red-eyed chirper" referring to the red eye and its most common call, "chewink".  You'll most likely hear these birds than see them since they are a secretive and tend to stay out of sight.

            Mating Habits:

The males usually arrive first and begin singing to announce and defend their territory of about 1 1/2 to 2 acres, when the female arrives and the two pair, the male will discontinue his singing and the pair will begin using the "chewink" call to keep in contact with one another.

            Nesting Habits:

The female does all the building of the nest, shaped like a cup, made of grass, twigs and rootlets and hidden on the ground, usually under the bough of a tree or shrub.  These nests can be difficult to find since the female does not fly directly to the nest, instead, she lands a few feet away and using the cover of brush and walks to the nest.

The female lays 2 to 6 cream-colored or greenish eggs that are spotted with brown which she incubates for 12 to 13 days.  The young will leave the nest in 10 to 12 days after hatching.

During nest building and incubation, the male towhee will rarely come near the nest, after the young hatch; the male helps feed the nestlings.

            Feeding Habits: 

The feeding habits of the towhee are a bit unusual.  A ground feeding bird, their behavior is similar to that of the white-throated sparrow.  They hop forward and then jump backward, dragging their feet to pull leaves and debris to reveal insects and seeds.  These birds are primarily seed and berry eaters, they will however; eat insects during spring and summer when they can be found easily on the ground.

Song Sparrow

            Description:

The song sparrow is 12 to 15 centimeters in length and has a whitish breast with brown streaks and a dark central dot, the crown is reddish-brown with a grey central stripe, with a short yellow stripe above and in front of the eye; the top body is a dark olive-gray.

            Voice:

Aptly named, the song sparrow will sing as many as 20 different melodies with as many as 1,000 improvised variations on its basic theme.  In areas where the birds migrate, the male arrives on the breeding ground ahead of the female and starts to define a territory by singing his song from three or four prominent perches.  This practice can begin as early as February.

            Mating Habits:

In early spring the male sings constantly when defending his territory.  When the female first arrives, the male will dive at her as he does with any other intruder, but the female does not flee, in time the male will accept this behavior and the two will begin to move about the territory together; at this stage the male will reduce his singing to ten songs per hour.

            Nesting Habits:

Once the female begins the nesting process, the male song sparrow will renew his singing.  The nest is cup-shaped, made of grasses and occasionally leaves, placed on the ground early in the year, and up to 30 feet above the ground later in the season.

The female lays one egg each day until the clutch of 3 to 5 greenish white with dark marks is complete.  The female does all the incubation of the eggs, lasting 12 to 13 days with the young leaving the nest in 10 to 12 days, at a time when they are barely able to fly.

The parents will continue feeding the young for another 20 days.  Within a week of this phase, the first egg of the next brood might be laid.  These birds may accomplish up to 3 broods a year.

            Feeding Habits:

Song sparrows feed on the ground, eating seeds, insects, and occasionally some fruit.

Stellers' Jay

            Description:

Measuring 15 to 20 centimeters in length, the crest, back, and breast are blackish, the belly, wings and tail are a very distinctive deep blue.

            Voice:

Stellers’ jay is known as the loudest of all the jays.  Found at sea level and high on the mountain slopes of the west, this bird lives its life much like its eastern relative, the blue jay.  This bird’s call is a loud Shaack! Shaack! Shaack! And they are also capable of mimicking the screams of hawks.

Near its nest site, it is silent and shy.

            Habitat:

The habitat of this bird is coniferous forests consisting of pine and fir.  Small groves and stands of mixed balsam, fir and spruce make up this birds home on Vancouver Island.

            Nesting Habits:

The nest is a sturdy cup of sticks and twigs lined with small roots, fibers and mud, located 2 to 3 meters above ground, on a branch or in a crotch of a conifer.

The female incubates the eggs for about 16 days although the nestling period is unknown.

            Feeding Habits:

These birds feed on nuts, seeds, fruits, and insects.  Somewhat skittish in the woods, these birds quickly become accustomed to their human providers in campsites and rural areas.

Common Loon

            Description:

Common loons can be as large as 71 to 91 centimeters in length, a large heavy bodied loon with a thick, pointed, usually black or dark gray bill held horizontally.  In breeding plumage, head and neck black with white bands on neck, black with white spots.  In winter, crown hind neck, and upper parts dark grayish, throat and under parts white.

            Voice:

A mournful yodeled oo-AH-oo with middle note higher and a loud ringing kee-a-ree.  A wild and striking sound, unearthly sad and mournful.

            Habitat:

Marshes, river estuaries and shorelines of small lakes and inlets.

            Nesting Habits:

Common Loons usually lay 2 olive brown or greenish lightly spotted eggs in a bulky mass of vegetation near the water’s edge, preferably on a small island.

            Feeding Habits:

Expert divers, the eyes of this bird can focus both in the air and under water.   With nearly solid bones that make them heavier than many other birds, this strong musculature provides the loons with the capacity to dive underwater for as far as 10 meters.

Hermit Thrush

            Description:

The hermit thrush is brown on top with a reddish tail, mostly white in the under parts with bold black spots on its neck and chest, smaller than its cousins it is closer in size to a large Sparrow about 10 to 15 centimeters in length.  An antisocial bird these thrushes are usually only seen alone.

            Voice:

Fluty one note song.

            Habitat:

Under the cover of coniferous trees and mixed forests.  During the winter you can usually view these birds at sea level but in the spring they move to higher elevations.

            Feeding Habits:

Primarily Insects, seeds and fruit.

Pacific Loon

            Description:

Up to 61 centimeters in length this small loon has a straight slender bill.  In breeding plumage, head is pale gray, neck and back black with white stripes: throat black with purple reflections.  In winter plumage blackish above, while below often shows thin chin strap.  The red-throated loon in winter is paler, with less contrast between dark crown and hind neck and white throat, and a seemingly upturned bill. 

            Voice:

A harsh kok-kok-kok-kok-kok, wailing notes on breeding grounds.

            Habitat:

Breeds on lakes, and ponds in tundra and forests, winters on coastal bays, estuaries  and inlets and on the ocean.

            Nesting Habits: 

Lays 2 spotted olive-brown eggs, usually in a slight depression lined with aquatic vegetation at the shore of a body of water.

            Feeding Habits:

The pacific loon feed mainly on small fish, they may fly many miles between their nesting ponds and suitable feeding areas.

Red Throated Loon

            Description:

Size ranges from 61 to 69 centimeters, comparably a small loon which is seldom seen far from salt water.  In breeding plumage has grey head and neck, rusty throat, black back spotted with while.  In winter, similar to common loon but smaller, paler with bill thinner and seemingly upturned.

            Voice:

Call, rarely sounded away from breeding, grounds, is a series of high-pitched wails and shrieks.

            Habitat:

Loons prefer coastal and tundra ponds during summer, large lakes, bays, estuaries and ocean in migration and winter.

            Nesting Habits:

Produces 2 brownish-olive, usually spotted eggs in nest of aquatic vegetation floating in or beside water, generally hidden amongst thick grasses.

            Feeding Habits: 

Forage in shallow bays and estuaries close to large bodies of land.

Western Tanager

Description:

A medium sized North American songbird, formally known to be a part of the Tanager family (Thraupidae,) they are now classified in the Cardinal family, because the plumage and vocalizations are similar.

Adults have light coloured small pointed bills, yellow underparts and distinguished wing bars in white and yellow.  The males have a bright red/orange face with a yellow nape, shoulder and rump, with black upper back, wings and tail.  When in non-breeding season the plumage has no more than a reddish cast and the body an olive tinge. Females are not as colourful with a yellow head and olive back with dark wings and tail. 

Voice: 

Similar to the Robin but hoarser and rather monotonous, with disconnected short phrases.  "pit-er-ick".

Habitat: 

Coniferous or mixed woods across Western North America from the Mexico-US border to as far north as Alaska.  They are considered the northernmost-breeding tanager. 

Nesting Habits:

Flimsy cut nests are built on horizontal tree branches, usually conifers.  They lay four bluish-green eggs with brown spots. Clutch size is usually 3 to 5 eggs, with incubation lasting about 13 days.  The young fledge in about 11 to 15 days after hatching. Life span is typically 4 years, however there has been documentation of Tanagers reaching 7 years old.