List of birds of Ontario
This list of birds of Ontario includes all the bird species recorded in the Canadian province of Ontario as determined by the Ontario Bird Records Committee (OBRC). There are, as of 2008, 478 species on this list, 291 of which are known to breed in the province.[1] Ontario has a considerable variety of bird species. One of the factors in this diversity is the size and range of environments in Ontario. Another is the Great Lakes, many birds use the shores as a stopping point during migration.[2]
Several common birds in Ontario, such as the house sparrow, the rock dove, the European starling and the mute swan are introduced species, meaning that they are not native to this continent but were brought here by humans from Europe or elsewhere.[3]
This list is presented in taxonomic order and follows The Check-list of North American Birds, published by the American Ornithologists' Union.[3] The table of contents is grouped into passerines (the largest order of birds) and non-passerines. The family accounts at the beginning of each heading reflect this taxonomy, as do the species counts found in each family account.
Contents
- 1 Taxonomy
- 2 Ducks, geese and swans
- 3 Partridges, grouse and turkeys
- 4 New World quail
- 5 Loons
- 6 Grebes
- 7 Shearwaters and petrels
- 8 Storm petrels
- 9 Gannets
- 10 Cormorants
- 11 Darters
- 12 Frigatebirds
- 13 Pelicans
- 14 Bitterns, herons and egrets
- 15 Ibises
- 16 Storks
- 17 New World vultures
- 18 Osprey
- 19 Hawks, kites and eagles
- 20 Caracaras and falcons
- 21 Rails, gallinules and coots
- 22 Cranes
- 23 Plovers
- 24 Oystercatchers
- 25 Stilts and avocets
- 26 Sandpipers and allies
- 27 Gulls, terns and skimmers
- 28 Jaegers
- 29 Auks, murres and puffins
- 30 Pigeons and doves
- 31 Cuckoos and anis
- 32 Barn owls
- 33 Typical owls
- 34 Nightjars
- 35 Swifts
- 36 Hummingbirds
- 37 Kingfishers
- 38 Woodpeckers, sapsuckers and flickers
- 39 Tyrant flycatchers
- 40 Shrikes
- 41 Vireos
- 42 Jays, crows, magpies and ravens
- 43 Larks
- 44 Swallows and martins
- 45 Chickadees and titmice
- 46 Nuthatches
- 47 Treecreepers
- 48 Wrens
- 49 Kinglets
- 50 Gnatcatchers
- 51 Thrushes
- 52 Old World flycatchers
- 53 Mockingbirds and thrashers
- 54 Starlings
- 55 Wagtails and pipits
- 56 Waxwings
- 57 Silky-flycatchers
- 58 Longspurs and snow buntings
- 59 Wood-warblers
- 60 American sparrows, towhees, juncos and longspurs
- 61 Cardinals and grosbeaks
- 62 Blackbirds, meadowlarks, cowbirds, grackles and orioles
- 63 Finches
- 64 Old World sparrows
- 65 See also
- 66 References
Taxonomy[edit]
The taxonomic treatment (designation and sequence of orders, families and species) and nomenclature (common and scientific names) used in the accompanying bird lists adhere to the conventions of the AOU's (1998) Check-list of North American Birds, the recognized scientific authority on the taxonomy and nomenclature of North America birds. The AOU's Committee on Classification and Nomenclature, the body responsible for maintaining and updating the Check-list, "strongly and unanimously continues to endorse the biological species concept (BSC), in which species are considered to be genetically cohesive groups of populations that are reproductively isolated from other such groups" (AOU 1998). See Sibley-Ahlquist taxonomy for an alternative phylogenetic arrangement based on DNA-DNA hybridization.
Unless otherwise noted, all species listed below are considered to occur regularly in North America as permanent residents, summer or winter residents or visitors, or migrants. The following codes are used to designate some species:
- (A) Accidental - occurrence based on one or two (rarely more) records and unlikely to occur regularly[4]
- (I) Introduced - established solely as result of direct or indirect human intervention; synonymous with non-native and non-indigenous
- (E) Extinct – a recent species that no longer exists
- (Ex) Extirpated – a species that no longer occurs in Ontario, but populations still exist elsewhere
Ducks, geese and swans[edit]
Order: Anseriformes Family: Anatidae
The family Anatidae includes ducks and most duck-like waterfowl, such as geese and swans. These birds are adapted to an aquatic existence with webbed feet, bills which are flattened to a greater or lesser extent, and feathers that are excellent at shedding water due to special oils.[5]
- Black-bellied whistling duck, Dendrocygna autumnalis (A)
- Fulvous whistling duck, Dendrocygna bicolor (A)
- Greater white-fronted goose, Anser albifrons
- Snow goose, Chen caerulescens
- Ross's goose, Chen rossii
- Brant, Branta bernicla
- Cackling goose, Branta hutchinsii
- Canada goose, Branta canadensis
- Mute swan, Cygnus olor (I)
- Trumpeter swan, Cygnus buccinator
- Tundra swan, Cygnus columbianus
- Wood duck, Aix sponsa
- Gadwall, Anas strepera
- Eurasian wigeon, Anas penelope
- American wigeon, Anas americana
- American black duck, Anas rubripes
- Mallard, Anas fulvigula
- Blue-winged teal, Anas discors
- Cinnamon teal, Anas cyanoptera
- Northern shoveler, Anas clypeata
- Northern pintail, Anas bahamensis
- Garganey, Anas querquedula (A)
- Green-winged teal, Anas crecca
- Canvasback, Aythya valisineria
- Redhead, Aythya americana
- Ring-necked duck, Aythya collaris
- Tufted duck, Aythya fuligula (A)
- Greater scaup, Aythya marila
- Lesser scaup, Aythya affinis
- King eider, Somateria spectabilis
- Common eider, Somateria mollissima
- Harlequin duck, Histrionicus histrionicus
- Surf scoter, Melanitta perspicillata
- White-winged scoter, Melanitta fusca
- Black scoter, Melanitta americana
- Long-tailed duck, Clangula hyemalis
- Bufflehead, Bucephala albeola
- Common goldeneye, Bucephala clangula
- Barrow's goldeneye, Bucephala islandica
- Smew, Mergellus albellus (A)
- Hooded merganser, Lophodytes cucullatus
- Common merganser, Mergus merganser
- Red-breasted merganser, Mergus serrator
- Ruddy duck, Oxyura jamaicensis
Partridges, grouse and turkeys[edit]
Order: Galliformes Family: Phasianidae
The Phasianidae is a family of birds which consists of pheasants, partridges, grouse, turkeys and their allies. These are terrestrial species, variable in size but generally plump with broad relatively short wings. Many species are gamebirds or have been domesticated as a food source for humans.[6]
- Gray partridge, Perdix perdix (I)
- Ring-necked pheasant, Phasianus colchicus (I)
- Ruffed grouse, Bonasa umbellus
- Spruce grouse, Falcipennis canadensis
- Willow grouse, Lagopus lagopus
- Ptarmagin, Lagopus muta
- Sharp-tailed grouse, Tympanuchus phasianellus
- Greater prairie chicken, Tympanuchus cupido (Ex)
- Wild turkey, Meleagris gallopavo
New World quail[edit]
Order: Galliformes Family: Odontophoridae
The New World quails are small, plump terrestrial birds only distantly related to the quails of the Old World, but named for their similar appearance and habits.[7]
- Northern bobwhite, Colinus virginianus
Loons[edit]
Order: Gaviiformes Family: Gaviidae
Loons, known as divers in Europe, are aquatic birds the size of a large duck, to which they are unrelated. Their plumage is largely grey or black, and they have spear-shaped bills. Loons swim well and fly adequately, but, because their legs are placed towards the rear of the body, are almost helpless on land.[7]
- Red-throated loon, Gavia stellata
- Pacific loon, Gavia pacifica
- Common loon, Gavia immer
- Yellow-billed loon, Gavia adamsii (A)
Grebes[edit]
Order: Podicipediformes Family: Podicipedidae
Grebes small to medium-large freshwater diving birds. They have lobed toes and are excellent swimmers and divers. However, they have their feet placed far back on the body, making them quite ungainly on land.
- Pied-billed grebe, Podilymbus podiceps
- Horned grebe, Podiceps auritus
- Red-necked grebe, Podiceps grisegena
- Eared grebe, Podiceps nigricollis
- Western grebe, Aechmorphorus occidentalis (A)
Shearwaters and petrels[edit]
Order: Procellariiformes Family: Procellariidae
The procellariids are the main group of medium-sized "true petrels", characterised by united nostrils with medium septum and a long outer functional primary.[8]
- Northern fulmar, Fulmarus glacialis
- Black-capped petrel, Pterodroma hasitata (A)
- Great shearwater, Ardenna gravis (A)
- Manx shearwater, Puffinus puffinus (A)
- Audubon's shearwater, Puffinus lherminieri (A)
Storm petrels[edit]
Order: Procellariiformes Family: Hydrobatidae
The storm petrels are the smallest seabirds, relatives of the petrels, feeding on planktonic crustaceans and small fish picked from the surface, typically while hovering. The flight is fluttering and sometimes bat-like. All species are accidentals in Ontario.[8]
- Wilson's storm petrel, Oceanites oceanicus (A)
- Leach's storm petrel, Oceanodroma leucorhoa (A)
- Band-rumped storm petrel, Oceanodroma castro (A)
Gannets[edit]
Order: Suliformes Family: Sulidae
The sulids comprise the gannets and boobies. Both groups are medium-large coastal seabirds that plunge-dive for fish.[9]
- Northern gannet, Morus bassanus
Cormorants[edit]
Order: Suliformes Family: Phalacrocoracidae
Cormorants are medium-to-large aquatic birds, usually with mainly dark plumage and areas of coloured skin on the face. The bill is long, thin and sharply hooked. Their feet are four-toed and webbed, a distinguishing feature among the Pelecaniformes order.
- Neotropic cormorant, Phalacrocorax brasilianus (A)
- Double-crested cormorant, Phalacrocorax auritus
- Great cormorant, Phalacrocorax carbo (A)
Darters[edit]
Order: Suliformes Family: Anhingidae
Darters are cormorant-like water birds with very long necks and long, straight beaks. They are fish eaters which often swim with only their neck above the water. One species is found in Ontario as an accidental.[9]
- Anhinga, Anhinga anhinga (A)
Frigatebirds[edit]
Order: Suliformes Family: Fregatidae
Frigatebirds are large seabirds usually found over tropical oceans. They are large, black or black-and-white, with long wings and deeply forked tails. The males have coloured inflatable throat pouches. They do not swim or walk and cannot take off from a flat surface. Having the largest wingspan-to-body-weight ratio of any bird, they are essentially aerial, able to stay aloft for more than a week. One species is found in Ontario as an accidental.[9]
- Magnificent frigatebird, Fregata magnificens (A)
Pelicans[edit]
Order: Pelecaniformes Family: Pelecanidae
Pelicans are very large water birds with a distinctive pouch under their beak. Like other birds in the order Pelecaniformes, they have four webbed toes.[9]
- American white pelican, Pelecanus erythrorhynchos
- Brown pelican, Pelecanus occidentalis (A)
Bitterns, herons and egrets[edit]
Order: Pelecaniformes Family: Ardeidae
The family Ardeidae contains the bitterns, herons and egrets. Herons and egrets are medium to large wading birds with long necks and legs. Bitterns tend to be shorter necked and more wary. Unlike other long-necked birds such as storks, ibises and spoonbills, members of this family fly with their necks retracted.[7]
- American bittern, Botaurus lentiginosus
- Least bittern, Ixobrychus exilis
- Great blue heron, Ardea herodias
- Great egret, Ardea alba
- Snowy egret, Egretta thula
- Little blue heron, Egretta caerulea
- Tricoloured heron, Egretta tricolor
- Cattle egret, Bubulcus ibis
- Green heron, Butorides virescens
- Black-crowned night heron, Nycticorax nycticorax
- Yellow-crowned night heron, Nyctanassa violacea
Ibises[edit]
Order: Pelecaniformes Family: Threskiornithidae
Threskiornithidae is a family of large terrestrial and wading birds which comprises the ibises and spoonbills. Its members have long, broad wings with 11 primary and about 20 secondary flight feathers. They are strong fliers and, despite their size and weight, very capable soarers.[7]
- American white ibis, Eudocimus albus (A)
- Glossy ibis, Plegadis falcinellus
- White-faced ibis, Plegadis chihi (A)
Storks[edit]
Order: Ciconiiformes Family: Ciconiidae
Storks are large, heavy, long-legged, long-necked wading birds with long stout bills and wide wingspans. They lack the powder down that other wading birds such as herons, spoonbills and ibises use to clean off fish slime. Storks lack a pharynx and are mute. One species occurs in Ontario as an accidental.[7]
- Wood stork, Mycteria americana (A)
New World vultures[edit]
Order: Cathartiformes Family: Cathartidae
The New World vultures are not closely related to Old World vultures, but superficially resemble them because of convergent evolution. Like the Old World vultures, they are scavengers. However, unlike Old World vultures, which find carcasses by sight, New World vultures have a good sense of smell with which they locate carcasses.
- Black vulture, Coragyps atratus
- Turkey vulture, Cathartes aura
Osprey[edit]
Order: Accipitriformes Family: Pandionidae
- Osprey, Pandion haliaetus
Hawks, kites and eagles[edit]
Order: Accipitriformes Family: Accipitridae
The Accipitridae is a family of birds of prey, which includes hawks, eagles, kites, harriers and Old World vultures. These birds mostly have powerful hooked beaks for tearing flesh from their prey, strong legs, powerful talons and keen eyesight.[10]
- Swallow-tailed kite, Elanoides forficatus (A)
- Mississippi kite, Ictinia mississippiensis
- Bald eagle, Haliaeetus leucocephalus
- Northern harrier, Circus cyaneus
- Sharp-shinned hawk, Accipiter striatus
- Cooper's hawk, Accipiter cooperii
- Northern goshawk, Accipiter gentilis
- Red-shouldered hawk, Buteo lineatus
- Broad-winged hawk, Buteo platypterus
- Swainson's hawk, Buteo swainsoni
- Red-tailed hawk, Buteo jamaicensis
- Ferruginous hawk, Buteo regalis (A)
- Rough-legged hawk, Buteo lagopus
- Golden eagle, Aquila chrysaetos
Caracaras and falcons[edit]
Order: Falconiformes Family: Falconidae
Falconidae is a family of diurnal birds of prey, notably the falcons and caracaras. They differ from hawks, eagles and kites in that they kill with their beaks instead of their talons.[10]
- Northern caracara, Caracara cheriway (A)
- American kestrel, Falco sparverius
- Merlin, Falco columbarius
- Gyrfalcon, Falco rusticolus
- Peregrine falcon, Falco peregrinus
- Prairie falcon, Falco mexicanus (A)
Rails, gallinules and coots[edit]
Order: Gruiformes Family: Rallidae
Rallidae is a large family of small to medium-sized birds which includes the rails, crakes gallinules and coots. The most typical family members occupy dense vegetation in damp environments near lakes, swamps or rivers. In general they are shy and secretive birds, making them difficult to observe. Most species have strong legs and long toes which are well adapted to soft uneven surfaces. They tend to have short, rounded wings and to be weak fliers.[11]
- Yellow rail, Coturnicops noveboracensis
- Black rail, Laterallus jamaicensis (A)
- King rail, Rallus elegans
- Virginia rail, Rallus limicola
- Sora, Porzana carolina
- Purple gallinule, Porphyrio martinicus (A)
- Common gallinule, Gallinula galeata
- American coot, Fulica americana
Cranes[edit]
Order: Gruiformes Family: Gruidae
Cranes are large, long-legged and long-necked birds. Unlike the similar-looking but unrelated herons, cranes fly with necks outstretched, not pulled back. Most have elaborate and noisy courting displays or "dances".[7]
- Sandhill crane, Grus canadensis
- Whooping crane, Grus americana (A)
Plovers[edit]
Order: Charadriiformes Family: Charadriidae
Charadriidae includes the plovers, dotterels and lapwings. They are small to medium-sized birds with compact bodies, short, thick necks and long, usually pointed, wings. They are found in open country worldwide, mostly in habitats near water.[12]
- Black-bellied plover, Pluvialis squatarola
- American golden-plover, Pluvialis dominica
- Lesser sand-plover, Charadrius mongolus (A)
- Snowy plover, Charadrius nivosus (A)
- Wilson's plover, Charadrius wilsonia (A)
- Semipalmated plover, Charadrius semipalmatus
- Piping plover, Charadrius melodus
- Killdeer, Charadrius vociferus
Oystercatchers[edit]
Order: Charadriiformes Family: Haematopodidae
The oystercatchers are large, obvious and noisy plover-like birds, with strong bills used for smashing or prising open molluscs.[7]
- American oystercatcher, Haematopus palliatus
Stilts and avocets[edit]
Order: Charadriiformes Family: Recurvirostridae
Recurvirostridae is a family of large wading birds, which includes the avocets and stilts. The avocets have long legs and long up-curved bills. The stilts have extremely long legs and long, thin, straight bills.[12]
- Black-necked stilt, Himantopus mexicanus (A)
- American avocet, Recurvirostra americana
Sandpipers and allies[edit]
Order: Charadriiformes Family: Scolopacidae
Scolopacidae is a large diverse family of small to medium-sized shorebirds including the sandpipers, curlews, godwits, shanks, tattlers, woodcocks, snipes, dowitchers and phalaropes. The majority of these species eat small invertebrates picked out of the mud or soil. Variation in length of legs and bills enables multiple species to feed in the same habitat, particularly on the coast, without direct competition for food.[12]
- Spotted sandpiper, Actitis macularia
- Solitary sandpiper, Tringa solitaria
- Wandering tattler, Tringa incana (A)
- Spotted redshank, Tringa erythropus (A)
- Greater yellowlegs, Tringa melanoleuca
- Willet, Tringa semipalmata
- Lesser yellowlegs, Tringa flavipes
- Upland sandpiper, Bartramia longicauda
- Eskimo curlew, Numenius borealis (A, E?)
- Whimbrel, Numenius phaeopus
- Slender-billed curlew, Numenius tenuirostris (A, E?)
- Long-billed curlew, Numenius americanus (A)
- Black-tailed godwit, Limosa limosa (A)
- Hudsonian godwit, Limosa haemastica
- Marbled godwit, Limosa fedoa
- Ruddy turnstone, Arenaria interpres
- Red knot, Calidris canutus
- Sanderling, Calidris alba
- Semipalmated sandpiper, Calidris pusilla
- Western sandpiper, Calidris mauri
- Little stint, Calidris minuta (A)
- Least sandpiper, Calidris minutilla
- White-rumped sandpiper, Calidris fuscicollis
- Baird's sandpiper, Calidris bairdii
- Pectoral sandpiper, Calidris melanotos
- Sharp-tailed sandpiper, Calidris acuminata (A)
- Purple sandpiper, Calidris maritima
- Dunlin, Calidris alpina
- Curlew sandpiper, Calidris ferruginea
- Stilt sandpiper, Calidris himantopus
- Buff-breasted sandpiper, Tryngites subruficollis
- Ruff, Philomachus pugnax
- Short-billed dowitcher, Limnodromus griseus
- Long-billed dowitcher, Limnodromus scolopaceus
- Wilson's snipe, Gallinago delicata
- American woodcock, Scolopax minor
- Wilson's phalarope, Phalaropus tricolor
- Red-necked phalarope, Phalaropus lobatus
- Red phalarope, Phalaropus fulicarius
Gulls, terns and skimmers[edit]
Order: Charadriiformes Family: Laridae
Laridae is a family of medium to large seabirds and includes gulls, terns, kittiwakes and skimmers. They are typically grey or white, often with black markings on the head or wings. They have stout, longish bills and webbed feet.[9]
- Laughing gull, Leucophaeus atricilla
- Franklin's gull, Leucophaeus pipixcan
- Little gull, Hydrocoloeus minutus
- Black-headed gull, Chroicocephalus ridibundus
- Bonaparte's gull, Chroicocephalus philadelphia
- Heermann's gull, Larus heermanni (A)
- Mew gull, Larus canus
- Ring-billed gull, Larus delawarensis
- California gull, Larus californicus
- Herring gull, Larus argentatus
- Thayer's gull, Larus thayeri
- Iceland gull, Larus glaucoides
- Lesser black-backed gull, Larus fuscus
- Slaty-backed gull, Larus schistisagus (A)
- Glaucous gull, Larus hyperboreus
- Great black-backed gull, Larus marinus
- Sabine's gull, Xema sabini
- Black-legged kittiwake, Rissa tridactyla
- Ross's gull, Rhodostethia rosea (A)
- Ivory gull, Pagophila eburnea
- Sooty tern, Onychoprion fuscata (A)
- Least tern, Sternula antillarum (A)
- Caspian tern, Hydroprogne caspia
- Black tern, Chlidonias niger
- White-winged tern, Chlidonias leucopterus (A)
- Common tern, Sterna hirundo
- Arctic tern, Sterna paradisaea
- Forster's tern, Sterna forsteri
- Royal tern, Thalasseus maxima (A)
- Sandwich tern, Thalasseus sandvicensis (A)
- Black skimmer, Rynchops niger (A)
Jaegers[edit]
Order: Charadriiformes Family: Stercorariidae
The family Stercorariidae are large birds, typically with grey or brown plumage, often with white markings on the wings. They have longish bills with hooked tips and webbed feet with sharp claws. They look like large dark gulls, but have a fleshy cere above the upper mandible. They are strong, acrobatic fliers.[7]
- Pomarine jaeger, Stercorarius pomarinus
- Parasitic jaeger, Stercorarius parasiticus
- Long-tailed jaeger, Stercorarius longicaudus
Auks, murres and puffins[edit]
Order: Charadriiformes Family: Alcidae
Alcids are superficially similar to penguins due to their black-and-white colours, their upright posture and some of their habits, however they are only distantly related to the penguins and are able to fly. Auks live on the open sea, only deliberately coming ashore to nest. The family consists of auks, murres and puffins. There are seven Ontario species, six of which are accidentals.[7]
- Dovekie, Alle alle (A)
- Thick-billed murre, Uria lomvia (A)
- Razorbill, Alca torda (A)
- Black guillemot, Cepphus grylle
- Long-billed murrelet, Brachyramphus perdix (A)
- Ancient murrelet, Synthliboramphus antiquus (A)
- Atlantic puffin, Fratercula arctica (A)
Pigeons and doves[edit]
Order: Columbiformes Family: Columbidae
Pigeons and doves are stout-bodied birds with short necks and short slender bills with a fleshy cere.[13]
- Rock dove, Columba livia (I)
- Band-tailed pigeon, Patagioenas fasciata (A)
- Eurasian collared-dove, Streptopelia decaocto (A)
- White-winged dove, Zenaida asiatica (A)
- Mourning dove, Zenaida macroura
- Inca dove, Columbina inca (A)
- Common ground-dove, Columbina passerina (A)
Cuckoos and anis[edit]
Order: Cuculiformes Family: Cuculidae
The family Cuculidae includes cuckoos, roadrunners and anis. These birds are of variable size with slender bodies, long tails and strong legs.[7]
- Black-billed cuckoo, Coccyzus erythropthalmus
- Yellow-billed cuckoo, Coccyzus americanus
- Groove-billed ani, Crotophaga sulcirostris (A)
Barn owls[edit]
Order: Strigiformes Family: Tytonidae
Barn owls are medium to large owls with large heads and characteristic heart-shaped faces. They have long strong legs with powerful talons.[7]
- Barn owl, Tyto alba
Typical owls[edit]
Order: Strigiformes Family: Strigidae
The typical owls are small to large solitary nocturnal birds of prey. They have large forward-facing eyes and ears, a hawk-like beak and a conspicuous circle of feathers around each eye called a facial disk.[7]
- Eastern screech-owl, Megascops asio
- Great horned owl, Bubo virginianus
- Snowy owl, Bubo scandiacus
- Northern hawk owl, Surnia ulula
- Burrowing owl, Athene cunicularia (A)
- Barred owl, Strix varia
- Great grey owl, Strix nebulosa
- Long-eared owl, Asio otus
- Short-eared owl, Asio flammeus
- Boreal owl, Aegolius funereus
- Northern saw-whet owl, Aegolius acadicus
Nightjars[edit]
Order: Caprimulgiformes Family: Caprimulgidae
Nightjars are medium-sized ground-nesting nocturnal birds with long wings, short legs and very short bills. Most have small feet, of little use for walking, and long pointed wings. Their soft plumage is camouflaged to resemble bark or leaves.[14]
- Lesser nighthawk, Chordeiles acutipennis (A)
- Common nighthawk, Chordeiles minor
- Common poorwill, Phalaenoptilus nuttallii (A)
- Chuck-will's-widow, Antrostomus carolinensis
- Eastern whip-poor-will, Antrostomus vociferus
Swifts[edit]
Order: Apodiformes Family: Apodidae
Swifts are small birds which spend the majority of their lives flying. These birds have very short legs and never settle voluntarily on the ground, perching instead only on vertical surfaces. Many swifts have long swept-back wings which resemble a crescent or boomerang.[15]
- White-collared swift, Streptoprocne zonaris (A)
- Chimney swift, Chaetura pelagica
Hummingbirds[edit]
Order: Apodiformes Family: Trochilidae
Hummingbirds are small birds capable of hovering in mid-air due to the rapid flapping of their wings. They are the only birds that can fly backwards.[7]
- Mexican violetear, Colibri thalassinus (A)
- Broad-billed hummingbird, Cynanthus latirostris (A)
- Ruby-throated hummingbird, Archilochus colubris
- Black-chinned hummingbird, Archilochus alexandri (A)
- Rufous hummingbird, Selasphorus rufus (A)
Kingfishers[edit]
Order: Coraciiformes Family: Alcedinidae
Kingfishers are medium-sized birds with large heads, long pointed bills, short legs and stubby tails.[16]
- Belted kingfisher, Megaceryle alcyon
Woodpeckers, sapsuckers and flickers[edit]
Order: Piciformes Family: Picidae
Woodpeckers, sapsuckers and flickers are small to medium-sized birds with chisel-like beaks, short legs, stiff tails and long tongues used for capturing insects. Some species have feet with two toes pointing forward and two backward, while several species have only three toes. Many woodpeckers have the habit of tapping noisily on tree trunks with their beaks.[7]
- Lewis's woodpecker, Melanerpes lewis (A)
- Red-headed woodpecker, Melanerpes erythrocephalus
- Red-bellied woodpecker, Melanerpes carolinus
- Yellow-bellied sapsucker, Sphyrapicus varius
- Downy woodpecker, Picoides pubescens
- Hairy woodpecker, Picoides villosus
- American three-toed woodpecker, Picoides dorsalis
- Black-backed woodpecker, Picoides arcticus
- Northern flicker, Colaptes auratus
- Pileated woodpecker, Dryocopus pileatus
Tyrant flycatchers[edit]
Order: Passeriformes Family: Tyrannidae
Tyrant flycatchers are Passerine birds which occur throughout North and South America. They superficially resemble the Old World flycatchers, but are more robust and have stronger bills. They do not have the sophisticated vocal capabilities of the songbirds. Most are rather plain. As the name implies, most are insectivorous.[7]
- Olive-sided flycatcher, Contopus cooperi
- Western wood-pewee, Contopus sordidulus (A)
- Eastern wood-pewee, Contopus virens
- Yellow-bellied flycatcher, Empidonax flaviventris
- Acadian flycatcher, Empidonax virescens
- Alder flycatcher, Empidonax alnorum
- Willow flycatcher, Empidonax traillii
- Least flycatcher, Empidonax minimus
- Gray flycatcher, Empidonax wrightii (A)
- Dusky flycatcher, Empidonax oberholseri (A)
- Eastern phoebe, Sayornis phoebe
- Say's phoebe, Sayornis saya (A)
- Vermilion flycatcher, Pyrocephalus rubinus (A)
- Ash-throated flycatcher, Myiarchus cinerascens (A)
- Great crested flycatcher, Myiarchus crinitus
- Sulphur-bellied flycatcher, Myiodynastes luteiventris (A)
- Piratic flycatcher, Legatus leucophaius (A)
- Variegated flycatcher, Empidonomus varius (A)
- Tropical kingbird, Tyrannus melancholicus (A)
- Couch's kingbird, Tyrannus couchii
- Cassin's kingbird, Tyrannus vociferans (A)
- Western kingbird, Tyrannus verticalis
- Eastern kingbird, Tyrannus tyrannus
- Gray kingbird, Tyrannus dominicensis (A)
- Scissor-tailed flycatcher, Tyrannus forficatus
- Fork-tailed flycatcher, Tyrannus savana (A)
Shrikes[edit]
Order: Passeriformes Family: Laniidae
Shrikes are passerine birds known for the habit of catching other birds and small animals and impaling the uneaten portions of their bodies on thorns. A typical shrike's beak is hooked, like a bird of prey.[17]
- Loggerhead shrike, Lanius ludovicianus
- Northern shrike, Lanius excubitor
Vireos[edit]
Order: Passeriformes Family: Vireonidae
The vireos are a group of small to medium-sized passerine birds restricted to the New World. They are typically greenish in colour and resemble wood warblers apart from their heavier bills.[7]
- White-eyed vireo, Vireo griseus
- Bell's vireo, Vireo bellii (A)
- Black-capped vireo, Vireo atricapilla (A)
- Yellow-throated vireo, Vireo flavifrons
- Plumbeous vireo, Vireo plumbeus (A)
- Blue-headed vireo, Vireo solitarius
- Warbling vireo, Vireo gilvus
- Philadelphia vireo, Vireo philadelphicus
- Red-eyed vireo, Vireo olivaceus
Jays, crows, magpies and ravens[edit]
Order: Passeriformes Family: Corvidae
The family Corvidae includes crows, ravens, jays, choughs, magpies, treepies, nutcrackers and ground jays. Corvids are above average in size among the Passeriformes, and some of the larger species show high levels of intelligence.[18]
- Gray jay, Perisoreus canadensis
- Blue jay, Cyanocitta cristata
- Clark's nutcracker, Nucifraga columbiana (A)
- Black-billed magpie, Pica hudsonia
- Eurasian jackdaw, Corvus monedula (A)
- American crow, Corvus brachyrhynchos
- Fish crow, Corvus ossifragus (A)
- Common raven, Corvus corax
Larks[edit]
Order: Passeriformes Family: Alaudidae
Larks are small terrestrial birds with often extravagant songs and display flights. Most larks are fairly dull in appearance. Their food is insects and seeds.[7]
- Horned lark, Eremophila alpestris
Swallows and martins[edit]
Order: Passeriformes Family: Hirundinidae
The family Hirundinidae is a group of passerines characterised by their adaptation to aerial feeding. The family includes swallows and martins. These adaptations include a slender streamlined body, long pointed wings and short bills with a wide gape. The feet are adapted to perching rather than walking, and the front toes are partially joined at the base.[19]
- Sand martin, Riparia riparia
- Purple martin, Progne subis
- Barn swallow, Hirundo rustica
- Tree swallow, Tachycineta bicolor
- Cliff swallow, Petrochelidon pyrrhonota
- Northern rough-winged swallow, Stelgidopteryx serripennis
- Violet-green swallow, Tachycineta thalassina (A)
- Cave swallow, Petrochelidon fulva (A)
Chickadees and titmice[edit]
Order: Passeriformes Family: Paridae
Chickadees and titmice are mainly small stocky woodland species with short stout bills. Some have crests. They are adaptable birds, with a mixed diet including seeds and insects.[7]
- Carolina chickadee, Poecile carolinensis (A)
- Black-capped chickadee, Poecile atricapilla
- Boreal chickadee, Poecile hudsonica
- Tufted titmouse, Baeolophus bicolor
Nuthatches[edit]
Order: Passeriformes Family: Sittidae
Nuthatches are small woodland birds. They have the unusual ability to climb down trees head first, unlike other birds which can only go upwards. Nuthatches have big heads, short tails and powerful bills and feet.[20]
- Red-breasted nuthatch, Sitta canadensis
- White-breasted nuthatch, Sitta carolinensis
Treecreepers[edit]
Order: Passeriformes Family: Certhiidae
Treecreepers are small woodland birds, brown above and white below. They have thin pointed down-curved bills, which they use to extricate insects from bark. They have stiff tail feathers, like woodpeckers, which they use to support themselves on vertical trees.[20]
- Brown creeper, Certhia americana
Wrens[edit]
Order: Passeriformes Family: Troglodytidae
Wrens are small and inconspicuous birds, except for their loud songs. They have short wings and thin down-turned bills. Several species often hold their tails upright. All are insectivorous.[7]
- Rock wren, Salpinctes obsoletus (A)
- Carolina wren, Thryothorus ludovicianus
- Bewick's wren, Thryomanes bewickii
- House wren, Troglodytes aedon
- Winter wren, Troglodytes hiemalis
- Sedge wren, Cistothorus platensis
- Marsh wren, Cistothorus palustris
Kinglets[edit]
Order: Passeriformes Family: Regulidae
The kinglets are a small family of birds which resemble the titmice. They are very small insectivorous birds in the genus Regulus. The adults have coloured crowns, giving rise to their name.[7]
- Golden-crowned kinglet, Regulus satrapa
- Ruby-crowned kinglet, Regulus calendula
Gnatcatchers[edit]
Order: Passeriformes Family: Polioptilidae
Gnatcatchers are a group of small insectivorous passerine birds. Most are of generally undistinguished appearance, but many have distinctive songs.[7]
- Blue-grey gnatcatcher, Polioptila caerulea
Thrushes[edit]
Order: Passeriformes Family: Turdidae
The thrushes are a group of passerine birds that occur mainly in the Old World. They are plump, soft plumaged, small to medium-sized insectivores or sometimes omnivores, often feeding on the ground. Many have attractive songs.[21]
- Eastern bluebird, Sialia sialis
- Mountain bluebird, Sialia currucoides
- Townsend's solitaire, Myadestes townsendi
- Veery, Catharus fuscescens
- Gray-cheeked thrush, Catharus minimus
- Bicknell's thrush, Catharus bicknelli (A)
- Swainson's thrush, Catharus ustulatus
- Hermit thrush, Catharus guttatus
- Wood thrush, Hylocichla mustelina
- Eurasian blackbird, Turdus merula (A)
- Fieldfare, Turdus pilaris (A)
- American robin, Turdus migratorius
- Varied thrush, Ixoreus naevius
Old World flycatchers[edit]
Order: Passeriformes Family: Muscicapidae
- Northern wheatear, Oenanthe oenanthe
- Siberian rubythroat, Luscinia calliope (A)
Mockingbirds and thrashers[edit]
Order: Passeriformes Family: Mimidae
The mimids are a family of passerine birds that includes thrashers, mockingbirds, tremblers and the New World catbirds. These birds are notable for their vocalization, especially their remarkable ability to mimic a wide variety of birds and other sounds heard outdoors. The species tend towards dull-greys and browns in their appearance.[7]
- Gray catbird, Dumetella carolinensis
- Northern mockingbird, Mimus polyglottos
- Sage thrasher, Oreoscoptes montanus
- Brown thrasher, Toxostoma rufum
Starlings[edit]
Order: Passeriformes Family: Sturnidae
Starlings are small to medium-sized passerine birds. Their flight is strong and direct and they are very gregarious. Their preferred habitat is fairly open country. They eat insects and fruit. Plumage is typically dark with a metallic sheen.[22]
- European starling, Sturnus vulgaris (I)
Wagtails and pipits[edit]
Order: Passeriformes Family: Motacillidae
Motacillidae is a family of small passerine birds with medium to long tails. They include the wagtails, longclaws and pipits. They are slender, ground feeding insectivores of open country.[7]
- American pipit, Anthus rubescens
- Sprague's pipit, Anthus spragueii (A)
Waxwings[edit]
Order: Passeriformes Family: Bombycillidae
The waxwings are a group of birds with soft silky plumage and unique red tips to some of the wing feathers. In the Bohemian and cedar waxwings, these tips look like sealing wax and give the group its name. These are arboreal birds of northern forests.[7]
- Bohemian waxwing, Bombycilla garrulus
- Cedar waxwing, Bombycilla cedrorum
Silky-flycatchers[edit]
Order: Passeriformes Family: Ptiliogonatidae
- Phainopepla, Phainopepla nitens (A)
Longspurs and snow buntings[edit]
Order: Passeriformes Family: Calcariidae
- McCown's longspur, Calcarius mccownii
- Lapland longspur, Calcarius lapponicus
- Smith's longspur, Calcarius pictus
- Chestnut-collared longspur, Calcarius ornatus (A)
- Snow bunting, Plectrophenax nivalis
Wood-warblers[edit]
Order: Passeriformes Family: Parulidae
The wood-warblers are a group of small often colourful passerine birds restricted to the New World. Most are arboreal, but some are more terrestrial. Most members of this family are insectivores.[23]
- Blue-winged warbler, Vermivora cyanoptera
- Golden-winged warbler, Vermivora chrysoptera
- Tennessee warbler, Oreothlypis peregrina
- Orange-crowned warbler, Oreothlypis celata
- Nashville warbler, Oreothlypis ruficapilla
- Virginia's warbler, Oreothlypis virginiae (A)
- Northern parula, Setophaga americana
- Yellow warbler, Setophaga petechia
- Chestnut-sided warbler, Setophaga pensylvanica
- Magnolia warbler, Setophaga magnolia
- Cape May warbler, Setophaga tigrina
- Black-throated blue warbler, Setophaga caerulescens
- Yellow-rumped warbler, Setophaga coronata
- Black-throated grey warbler, Setophaga nigrescens (A)
- Black-throated green warbler, Setophaga virens
- Townsend's warbler, Setophaga townsendi (A)
- Hermit warbler, Setophaga occidentalis (A)
- Blackburnian warbler, Setophaga fusca
- Yellow-throated warbler, Setophaga dominica
- Pine warbler, Setophaga pinus
- Kirtland's warbler, Setophaga kirtlandii
- Prairie warbler, Setophaga discolor
- Palm warbler, Setophaga palmarum
- Bay-breasted warbler, Setophaga castanea
- Blackpoll warbler, Setophaga striata
- Cerulean warbler, Setophaga cerulea
- Hooded warbler, Setophaga citrina
- American redstart, Setophaga ruticilla
- Black-and-white warbler, Mniotilta varia
- Prothonotary warbler, Protonotaria citrea
- Worm-eating warbler, Helmitheros vermivorus
- Swainson's warbler, Limnothlypis swainsonii (A)
- Ovenbird, Seiurus aurocapilla
- Northern waterthrush, Parkesia noveboracensis
- Louisiana waterthrush, Parkesia motacilla
- Connecticut warbler, Oporornis agilis
- Kentucky warbler, Geothlypis formosa
- Mourning warbler, Geothlypis philadelphia
- MacGillivray's warbler, Geothlypis tolmiei (A)
- Common yellowthroat, Geothlypis trichas
- Gray-crowned yellowthroat, Geothlypis poliocephala (A)
- Wilson's warbler, Cardellina pusilla
- Canada warbler, Cardellina canadensis
- Painted redstart, Myioborus pictus (A)
- Yellow-breasted chat, Icteria virens
American sparrows, towhees, juncos and longspurs[edit]
Order: Passeriformes Family: Emberizidae
Emberizidae is a large family of passerine birds which includes American sparrows, towhees, juncos and longspurs. They are seed-eating birds with distinctively shaped bills. In Europe, most species are called buntings. In North America, most of the species in this family are known as sparrows, but these birds are not closely related to the Old World sparrows which are in the family Passeridae. Many emberizid species have distinctive head patterns.[24]
- Green-tailed towhee, Pipilo chlorurus (A)
- Spotted towhee, Pipilo maculatus (A)
- Eastern towhee, Pipilo erythrophthalmus
- Cassin's sparrow, Peucaea cassinii (A)
- Bachman's sparrow, Peucaea aestivalis (A)
- American tree sparrow, Spizelloides arborea
- Chipping sparrow, Spizella passerina
- Clay-coloured sparrow, Spizella pallida
- Brewer's sparrow, Spizella breweri
- Field sparrow, Spizella pusilla
- Vesper sparrow, Pooecetes gramineus
- Lark sparrow, Chondestes grammacus
- Black-throated sparrow, Amphispiza bilineata (A)
- Lark bunting, Calamospiza melanocorys
- Savannah sparrow, Passerculus sandwichensis
- Grasshopper sparrow, Ammodramus savannarum
- Baird's sparrow, Ammodramus bairdii (A)
- Henslow's sparrow, Ammodramus henslowii
- Le Conte's sparrow, Ammodramus leconteii
- Nelson's sharp-tailed sparrow, Ammodramus nelsoni
- Fox sparrow, Passerella iliaca
- Song sparrow, Melospiza melodia
- Lincoln's sparrow, Melospiza lincolnii
- Swamp sparrow, Melospiza georgiana
- White-throated sparrow, Zonotrichia albicollis
- Harris's sparrow, Zonotrichia querula
- White-crowned sparrow, Zonotrichia leucophrys
- Golden-crowned sparrow, Zonotrichia atricapilla (A)
- Dark-eyed junco, Junco hyemalis
Cardinals and grosbeaks[edit]
Order: Passeriformes Family: Cardinalidae
Cardinals and grosbeaks are a family of robust, seed-eating birds with strong bills. They are typically associated with open woodland. The sexes usually have distinct plumages.[7]
- Summer tanager, Piranga rubra
- Scarlet tanager, Piranga olivacea
- Western tanager, Piranga ludoviciana
- Northern cardinal, Cardinalis cardinalis
- Rose-breasted grosbeak, Pheucticus ludovicianus
- Black-headed grosbeak, Pheucticus melanocephalus
- Blue grosbeak, Passerina caerulea
- Lazuli bunting, Passerina amoena (A)
- Indigo bunting, Passerina cyanea
- Varied bunting, Passerina versicolor (A)
- Painted bunting, Passerina ciris (A)
- Dickcissel, Spiza americana
Blackbirds, meadowlarks, cowbirds, grackles and orioles[edit]
Order: Passeriformes Family: Icteridae
The icterids are a group of small to medium-sized, often colourful passerine birds restricted to the New World and include the blackbirds, meadowlarks, cowbirds, grackles and New World orioles. Most species have black as a predominant plumage colour, often enlivened by yellow, orange or red.[7]
- Bobolink, Dolichonyx oryzivorus
- Red-winged blackbird, Agelaius phoeniceus
- Eastern meadowlark, Sturnella magna
- Western meadowlark, Sturnella neglecta
- Yellow-headed blackbird, Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus
- Rusty blackbird, Euphagus carolinus
- Brewer's blackbird, Euphagus cyanocephalus
- Common grackle, Quiscalus quiscula
- Great-tailed grackle, Quiscalus mexicanus (A)
- Brown-headed cowbird, Molothrus ater
- Orchard oriole, Icterus spurius
- Hooded oriole, Icterus cucullatus (A)
- Bullock's oriole, Icterus bullockii (A)
- Baltimore oriole, Icterus galbula
- Scott's oriole, Icterus parisorum (A)
Finches[edit]
Order: Passeriformes Family: Fringillidae
Finches are small to moderately large seed-eating passerine birds with a strong beak, usually conical and in some species very large. All have 12 tail feathers and nine primary flight feathers. Finches have a bouncing flight, alternating bouts of flapping with gliding on closed wings, and most sing well.[24]
- Brambling, Fringilla montifringilla
- Gray-crowned rosy-finch, Leucosticte tephrocotis
- Pine grosbeak, Pinicola enucleator
- Purple finch, Haemorhous purpureus
- Cassin's finch, Haemorhous cassinii
- House finch, Haemorhous mexicanus
- Red crossbill, Loxia curvirostra
- White-winged crossbill, Loxia leucoptera
- Common redpoll, Acanthis flammea
- Hoary redpoll, Acanthis hornemanni
- Pine siskin, Spinus pinus
- Lesser goldfinch, Spinus psaltria (A)
- American goldfinch, Spinus tristis
- Evening grosbeak, Hesperiphona vespertina
Old World sparrows[edit]
Order: Passeriformes Family: Passeridae
Old World sparrows are small passerine birds. In general, sparrows tend to be small plump brownish or greyish birds with short tails and short powerful beaks. Sparrows are seed eaters, but they also consume small insects.[7]
- House sparrow, Passer domesticus (I)
- Eurasian tree sparrow, Passer montanus (I, A)
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ^ "Checklist of the Birds of Ontario". Ontario Field Ornithologists. Retrieved 2008-07-24.
- ^ Hughes, Janice M. (2001). The ROM Field Guide to Birds of Ontario. Toronto: Royal Ontario Museum. pp. 5–12. ISBN 978-0-7710-7650-3.
- ^ a b The committee on classification and nomenclature of the American Ornithologists' Union (1998). Check-list of North American Birds (7th ed.). Washington, D.C.: American Ornithologists' Union. ISBN 1-891276-00-X.
- ^ Hughes, Janice M. (2001). The ROM Field Guide to Birds of Ontario. Toronto: Royal Ontario Museum. ISBN 978-0-7710-7650-3.
- ^ Madge, Steve; Burn, Hilary (1988). Wildfowl: An Identification Guide to the Ducks, Geese and Swans of the World (Helm Identification Guides). Christopher Helm. ISBN 0-7470-2201-1.
- ^ Madge, Steve; McGowan, Phil (2002). Pheasants, Partridges and Grouse. Christopher Helm. ISBN 0-7136-3966-0.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa Walters, Michael P. (1980). Complete Birds of the World. David & Charles PLC. ISBN 0-7153-7666-7.
- ^ a b Onley, Derek; Scofield, Paul (2007). Albatrosses, Petrels and Shearwaters of the World (Helm Field Guides). Christopher Helm Publishers Ltd. ISBN 0-7136-4332-3.
- ^ a b c d e Harrison, Peter; Peterson, Roger Tory (1991). Seabirds: A Complete Guide to the Seabirds of the World (Helm Identification Guides). Christopher Helm Publishers Ltd. ISBN 0-7136-3510-X.
- ^ a b Ferguson-Lees, James; Christie, David (2005). Raptors of the World: A Field Guide (Helm Field Guides). Christopher Helm Publishers Ltd. ISBN 0-7136-6957-8.
- ^ Taylor, Barry; van Perlo, Ber (2000). Rails. Pica / Christopher Helm. ISBN 1-873403-59-3.
- ^ a b c Hayman, Peter; Marchant, John; Prater, Tony (1991). Shorebirds: An Identification Guide to the Waders of the World. Houghton Mifflin. ISBN 0-395-60237-8.
- ^ Gibbs, David; Barnes, Eustace; Cox, John (2001). Pigeons and Doves. Pica Press. ISBN 1-873403-60-7.
- ^ Cleere, Nigel; Nurney, David (2000). Nightjars: A Guide to the Nightjars, Frogmouths, Potoos, Oilbird and Owlet-nightjars of the World. Pica / Christopher Helm. ISBN 1-873403-48-8.
- ^ Chantler, Phil; Driessens, Gerald (illustrator) (2000). Swifts. Pica / Christopher Helm. ISBN 1-873403-83-6.
- ^ Fry, C. Hilary; Fry, Kathie; Harris, Alan (1992). Kingfishers, Bee-eaters and Rollers. London: Christopher Helm. ISBN 0-7136-8028-8.
- ^ Harris, Tony; Franklin, Kim (2000). Shrikes and Bush-shrikes: Including Wood-shrikes, Helmet-shrikes, Shrike Flycatchers, Philentomas, Batises and Wattle-eyes (Helm Identification Guides). Christopher Helm Publishers Ltd. ISBN 0-691-07036-9.
- ^ Madge, Steve; Burn, Hilary (1994). Crows and jays: a guide to the crows, jays and magpies of the world. A&C Black. ISBN 0-7136-3999-7.
- ^ Turner, Angela K; Rose, Chris (1989). Swallows and Martins of the World : an identification guide and handbook. Houghton Mifflin. ISBN 0-395-51174-7.
- ^ a b Harrap, Simon; Quinn, David (1996). Tits, Nuthatches and Treecreepers. Christopher Helm. ISBN 0-7136-3964-4.
- ^ Clement, Peter; Hathway, Ren; Wilczur, Jan (2000). Thrushes (Helm Identification Guides). Christopher Helm Publishers Ltd. ISBN 0-7136-3940-7.
- ^ Feare, Chris; Craig, Adrian (1999). Starlings and Mynas. Princeton University Press. ISBN 0-7136-3961-X.
- ^ Baker, Kevin; Baker, (1997). Warblers of Europe Asia and North Africa Jeff. Princeton University Press. ISBN 0-691-01169-9.
- ^ a b Clement, Peter; Harris, Alan; Davis, John (1999). Finches and Sparrows: An Identification Guide (Helm Identification Guides). Christopher Helm Publishers Ltd. ISBN 0-7136-5203-9.
- Checklist of the Birds of Ontario - World Institute for Conservation and Environment