By Myrna Pearman, Mother Nature’s Naturalist and Backyard Birding Expert
Winter birds not only brighten and enliven our long Canadian winters, but they are also unique among bird groups because they have been observed and counted for more years than any other cohort!
Thanks to the foresight of Mr. Frank Chapman, a pioneering ornithologist and leader with the Audubon Society, a once prevalent and barbaric custom of hunting birds during the holiday season was eventually replaced by a more compassionate and scientific practice: counting them. This change led to the establishment of the first annual Christmas Bird Count (CBC) in 1900.
Today, the CBC stands as the largest and most comprehensive bird census in the world, involving tens of thousands of volunteers across the globe. These counts, which are conducted within pre-assigned 24-km circles, can take place anywhere: in wilderness areas, on and around wetlands and lakes, and in parks, farms, urban and rural neighbourhoods, and- of course – at backyard bird feeding stations. The Christmas Bird Count is an opportunity for people of all ages and backgrounds to connect with nature, contribute to citizen science and embrace the winter season. Watching and counting birds at backyard bird feeding stations is also a wonderful way to engage children in nature observation and appreciation.
Christmas Bird Counts take place between December 14th and January 5th and are held across Ontario. For information on local counts check out https://ontarionature.org/events/christmas-bird-count. For detailed information about feeder birds and feeder bird counting, check out Project FeederWatch https://feederwatch.org/.
According to Project FeederWatch, these five species topped the list as being the most common in Ontario during the winter of 2023/2024:
1. Black-capped Chickadees – Black-capped Chickadees are common and beloved backyard birds and are attracted to feeding stations through the province. They often set up their winter territories to encompass bird feeding stations, where they dine on sunflower seeds (shelled or unshelled), shelled peanuts and suet/suet mixtures.
2. Dark-eyed Junco – These quiet little sparrows spend more of their time in the shrubbery or on the ground, picking among the seeds that have fallen from hanging feeders. They primarily dine on millet and sunflower chips.
3. Downy Woodpeckers – The smallest woodpecker in the province, Downy Woodpeckers eat suet, sunflower chips and nuts. Males often chase females from feeders, so multiple feeders help all of them access enough food during the day.
4. Blue Jays – Although Blue Jays are sometimes considered to be bully birds due to their habit of chasing the smaller birds away and devouring large quantities of birdseed, they add colour and interest to even the dreariest winter day! Blue Jays love peanuts, shelled or unshelled, as well as shelled and unshelled sunflower seeds.
5. Northern Cardinal – Northern Cardinals are striking and familiar backyard birds found throughout the southern parts of the province. They are usually seen in pairs or small groups near dense cover, especially thickets near forest edges. They will come to feeders that offer shelled or unshelled sunflower seeds, cracked corn, millet, peanut chips and safflower seeds.
