March Birds!

There was lots of activity in Canatara Park this week! Birds have been singing as they establish territory and search for mates. Some species such as this Common Grackle have started collecting twigs for nest building!

The Northern Flicker is one of the few North American woodpeckers that is strongly migratory. Most flickers in the northern parts of their range move south for the winter

https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Northern_Flicker/overview

Downy Woodpeckers (and other species) stay during our southern Ontario winters.

Eastern Phoebes are showing up in Canatara Park again. In 1804, an Eastern Phoebe became the first banded bird in North America. John James Audubon attached silvered thread to an Eastern Phoebe's leg to track its return in successive years.

https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Eastern_Phoebe/overview 

American Goldfinches are unusual among goldfinches because they moult their body feathers twice a year; once in late winter and again in late summer. The brightening yellow of male goldfinches each spring is a welcome sign of approaching warmer weather!

https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/American_Goldfinch/overview

Every year there is at least one Canada Goose that needs to check out the roof for nesting possibilities!

American Robins continue to dine on Multiflora Rose bush Rosehips

A pair of Black-capped Chickadees checked me out from above.