Welcome to Ontario, home to a wide variety of birds! Among them are the small, blue birds that are so often seen in our gardens and parks. These birds are known as Blue Jays, and they are the provincial bird of Ontario.
Blue Jays are easily recognizable by their bright blue feathers, crest, and white markings. They are also quite vocal and can be heard making loud calls and chirps throughout the day.
Blue Jays are an important part of the ecosystem in Ontario, as they are important pollinators and seed dispersers. They also act as indicator species, alerting us to changes in the environment.
With their bright colors, loud calls, and important role in the ecosystem, Blue Jays are a sight to behold in Ontario.
1. Eastern Bluebird
The eastern bluebird (Sialia sialis) is a small species of thrush, native to North America. It is a migratory species, often found in open woodlands, farmlands, and orchards.
During the breeding season, the male eastern bluebird acquires a bright blue plumage that stands out against its surroundings. This vibrant color makes the species a favorite among birdwatchers and birders.
The male is often observed perched on a wire or other open perch, making it relatively easy to spot. The Eastern bluebird’s diet mainly consists of insects, but they also eat fruits and berries when available. During the winter months, they may also feed on seeds and nuts.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Turdidae |
| Genus | Sialia |
| Species | S. sialis |
2. Cardinalidae
Cardinalidae is a family of birds found mainly in the New World, which includes North and South America. This family is comprised of cardinals, grosbeaks, and buntings, as well as other genera such as the tanager-like Piranga and the warbler-like Granatellus.
Cardinals are medium-sized birds with strong beaks and conical bills that are typically red or yellow in color. Grosbeaks are larger birds with thick conical bills that come in a variety of colors, including black, yellow, and brown.
Buntings are small, colorful birds with short, stout bills. The Piranga genus includes brightly colored birds such as the scarlet tanager, which has a red-orange body and black wings. The Granatelli genus includes warbler-like birds with slender beaks and colorful plumage.
All these birds make up the Cardinalidae family, a diverse group of birds that are found mainly in the New World.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Cardinalidae |
3. Thrush
The thrushes are a type of bird belonging to the family Turdidae, which can be found all around the world. The family Turdidae used to be much bigger in size before biologists took a closer look and reclassified some of the birds.
Some of the birds that were reclassified included the chats and European robins which now belong to the Old World flycatchers subfamily. This reclassification of those particular birds had a major impact on the family Turdidae as it reduced the size of the family.
Despite the reduction in size, the thrushes remain a widespread and diverse family of birds.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Turdidae |
4. American Robin
Source: allaboutbirds.org
The American robin is a migratory bird belonging to the true thrush genus and the larger thrush family, Turdidae. Its name is very similar to that of the European robin, but the two species are actually not related.
The American robin is part of the true thrush family, while the European robin belongs to the Old World flycatcher family. The two species share the same reddish-orange breast, which is the source of their similar names.
The American robin is a fairly large songbird, ranging from 16 to 21 cm in length and having a wingspan of 32 to 36 cm. Its upper parts are brownish-gray in color, with blackish-brown wings and tail, and its underparts are bright orange or rust-colored.
Its reddish-orange breast is also a distinguishing feature. The male and female American robins look very similar, though the female usually has a duller breast. The bird has a white eye ring and a black bill.
The American robin is found throughout North America, from southern Canada to Mexico. It is an abundant bird, often seen in residential areas, parks, and gardens.
The American robin is a highly adaptable bird and is able to survive in a wide range of habitats, including forests, grasslands, and wetlands. It feeds mainly on earthworms, insects, and fruits, and can often be seen hopping along the ground searching for food.
The American robin is an important species in North America, and its bright colors make it a popular bird. It is also an important ecological indicator species, as its presence can indicate the health of an ecosystem.
The American robin is also a very important symbol in the United States, representing renewal and hope.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Turdidae |
| Genus | Turdus |
| Species | T. migratorius |
5. Tree Swallow
The Tree Swallow (Tachycineta bicolor) is a migratory bird that belongs to the family Hirundinidae, commonly found in the Americas. It was first described in 1807 by the French ornithologist Louis Vieillot as Hirundo bicolor.
However, in more modern times, it has been moved to its current genus, Tachycineta, which is where its phylogenetic placement is currently debated. Tree Swallows are usually seen in open areas, such as meadows, pastures, and grasslands.
They are small birds, with a length of about 4.7-5.9 inches and a wingspan of 8.7-11.8 inches. They have a glossy blue-green back, white underparts, and a distinctive brownish-black throat patch.
Tree Swallows typically feed on flying insects, which they catch mid-air using their acrobatic flying ability. Tree Swallows breed in North America and migrate south to spend the winter in Central and South America.
Their migration usually takes place between August and November, and they return to North America to breed between March and June. During the breeding season, they form large flocks and are known to use old woodpecker holes or cavities in trees for nesting.
The Tree Swallow is often thought of as a beneficial species, as it helps to control insect populations. However, it is also an important indicator of environmental health, as it is sensitive to pollution, habitat destruction, and climate change.
Therefore, conserving the Tree Swallow and its habitat is essential in order to ensure the health of our ecosystems.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Hirundinidae |
| Genus | Tachycineta |
| Species | T. bicolor |
6. House finch
The house finch is a species of bird belonging to the family Fringillidae. It is found throughout western North America and has been introduced to the eastern half of the continent and Hawaii.
This species is classified in the genus Haemorhous, which also includes two other American rosefinches. House finches are medium-sized birds, typically measuring around 5.5-6.7 inches in length. They have a short, rounded tail and a slightly pointed bill.
They have a wide variety of plumage, ranging from red to brown to yellow. The male birds have brighter colors than the females. House finches are generally found in open woodlands, suburban gardens, and agricultural fields.
They feed on a variety of things, including seeds, buds, and fruits. They often form large flocks and can be seen in winter roosting with other species of finches.
House finches are an important part of the ecosystem, as they help disperse seeds and provide food for other animals. They are a popular species, and can often be seen in gardens and parks.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Fringillidae |
| Genus | Haemorhous |
| Species | H. mexicanus |
7. Common Starling
The common starling is a type of bird that is found throughout the world, including Europe, North America, Great Britain, and Ireland. It is a medium-sized passerine bird, meaning that it belongs to a group of birds that primarily walk or hop on the ground rather than fly.
It is a member of the starling family, Sturnidae, which is one of the most widespread bird families in the world. The common starling is also referred to as the European starling in North America and simply as the starling in Great Britain and Ireland.
The common starling has a glossy black plumage with a single white spot on its shoulder. Its wings are pointed and slightly curved, and its tail is short and broad. Its bill is short, pointed, and yellow.
The common starling is known for its ability to mimic the calls of other birds, and it can be heard making a variety of noises throughout its range.
The common starling is a highly adaptable bird and can be found in a variety of habitats, including woodlands, farmland, grasslands, and urban areas. It feeds mainly on insects, fruits, and seeds, and can often be seen in large flocks foraging for food.
The common starling is also known to nest in cavities such as tree holes, buildings, and other man-made structures. The common starling is an important species in its ecosystems due to its role as a seed disperser and predator of insects.
It is also an important species to humans, as it is the source of a number of products such as food, pet birds, and feathers.
Despite its importance, the common starling is considered to be a pest species in some areas due to its large numbers and its habit of making a mess of buildings and other structures.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Sturnidae |
| Genus | Sturnus |
| Species | S. vulgaris |
8. Red-Breasted Nuthatch
The red-breasted nuthatch is a small songbird that is easily recognizable in the wild due to its distinctive coloring. The adult has a deep blue-grey on its upperparts, while its underparts are a warm cinnamon color.
Its face and throat are stark white, with a black stripe running through its eyes. Its bill is a straight grey, and the crown of its head is black. The red-breasted nuthatch is also known for its call, which has been likened to a tin trumpet.
This call is high-pitched and nasal, making it easily distinguishable from other bird species.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Sittidae |
| Genus | Sitta |
| Species | S. canadensis |
9. White-Breasted Nuthatch
The white-breasted nuthatch is an interesting species of bird that belongs to the family Sittidae. It is classified as a nuthatch, which is a type of bird that typically has a stout body and a long, pointed beak.
This particular species of bird is medium-sized in comparison to other species of nuthatches and has an average length of 15.5 centimeters. It is characterized by a white breast and a grayish-brown back and wings.
The white-breasted nuthatch is an active bird that loves to climb and forage for food. It is often seen clambering up trunks and branches in search of insects and other small creatures to eat.
This species of nuthatch is also known for its vocalizations, which consist of a variety of loud, high-pitched whistles and warbles. The white-breasted nuthatch has a wide range of habitats, including woodlands, parks, gardens, and even urban areas.
It can often be seen in the company of other species of birds, such as woodpeckers and warblers. All in all, the white-breasted nuthatch is an interesting and important species of bird that can be found in many parts of the world.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Sittidae |
| Genus | Sitta |
| Species | S. carolinensis |
10. Gray Catbird
The gray catbird is a medium-sized bird native to North America and Central America, belonging to the mimid family. It is the sole bird that belongs to the genus Dumetella, which is also known as the “catbird” genus.
This species has a gray or greyish plumage, and its name is derived from its distinctive meowing call. Their diet consists mainly of insects, fruits, and berries. Gray catbirds are found in a variety of habitats, including woodlands, marshes, and gardens.
They are also known to nest in shrubs and low trees. Gray catbirds are found in the United States and Central America and migrate to the southern United States and Mexico during the winter months.
The males are often observed performing courtship displays involving singing and flapping their wings. Breeding season is typically from April to July and the female lays up to four eggs in a cup-shaped nest.
Gray catbirds are an important part of the native ecosystem, as they help to keep the insect population under control and provide food for other species, such as hawks, owls, and other predators.
They are also a popular species among birdwatchers and photographers, due to their attractive plumage and interesting behavior.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Mimidae |
| Genus | Dumetella |
| Species | D. carolinensis |
11. Common Grackle
The common grackle is a species of large icterid bird found widely throughout North America. It was first described by Carl Linnaeus in 1758 and is divided into three subspecies. Common grackles can be recognized by their long, dark bills, pale yellow eyes, and long tails.
These birds can be seen in large flocks throughout the continent, often near bodies of water. They are remarkable for their highly varied range of vocalizations, with a repertoire of over 30 distinct calls.
They are also known to be omnivorous, consuming a wide variety of foods such as earthworms, insects, fruits, and grains. Common grackles are also known to be highly social, often forming large flocks to forage and roost.
They have also been observed to engage in elaborate courtship rituals, often involving singing and the formation of intricate aerial displays.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Icteridae |
| Genus | Quiscalus |
| Species | Q. quiscula |
12. Red-Winged Blackbird
Source: vtecostudies.org
The red-winged blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus) is a species of passerine bird of the family Icteridae. It is found throughout most of North America and Central America, from southern Canada to Panama.
This species has a large range, with an estimated global population of up to 200 million individuals. The red-winged blackbird is a medium-sized songbird, measuring 16 to 22 cm in length.
It has a distinctive black and brown plumage, with a red patch on its shoulder and yellow wing bars. The males are usually more brightly-colored than the females. The male’s song is a loud, nasal “konk-a-ree” sound.
The red-winged blackbird can be found in a variety of habitats, including wetlands, grasslands, meadows, and agricultural areas. It feeds mainly on insects, such as beetles, flies, and grasshoppers, but will also eat seeds and grains.
It nests in large colonies, often in marshy areas. The female builds a cup-shaped nest of twigs and grasses, and the male defends the nesting territory. The red-winged blackbird is an important species for maintaining healthy ecosystems.
It helps to control insect populations and acts as a pollinator for many plants. As an aerial insectivore, it also helps to disperse seeds. The species is considered to be Least Concern by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Icteridae |
| Genus | Agelaius |
| Species | A. phoeniceus |
13. Brown-Headed Cowbird
Source: ebird.org
The brown-headed cowbird is a species of icterid, a type of perching bird. It is native to temperate and subtropical North America and is a permanent resident in the southern parts of its range. This means that the bird does not migrate, and stays in its habitat year-round.
However, the northern birds migrate to the southern United States and Mexico for the winter season and usually return to their summer habitat around March or April. The brown-headed cowbird is an obligate brood parasite, meaning that it lays its eggs in the nests of other birds, and does not build its own.
It is a small bird, typically about 6 to 8 inches in length, with a brown head and a glossy black body.
The female cowbird is slightly larger than the male and has a grayish-brown head, rather than a brown one. The brown-headed cowbird feeds on insects, seeds, and grains, and can often be found in open grasslands, pastures, and agricultural areas.
While it does not normally feed on other birds’ eggs or chicks, it does take advantage of its hard work in raising its own young.
It is a serious pest to other birds, as its eggs often outcompete the eggs of the host species and the host’s chicks are often pushed out of the nest.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Icteridae |
| Genus | Molothrus |
| Species | M. ater |
14. Blue-Gray Gnatcatcher
The blue-gray gnatcatcher is a stunningly beautiful songbird that is native to North America. It is characterized by its small size and its unique coloring blue-gray.
This bird is aptly named as it is most commonly found foraging among the vegetation for gnats and other small insects.
This species of bird is a migratory species, typically traveling south to the southern United States and Mexico during the winter months and then returning north in the spring.
While it is found in a wide range of habitats, the blue-gray gnatcatcher prefers wooded areas and is often seen in deciduous and coniferous forests. It is also commonly found in urban and suburban parks and gardens.
The blue-gray gnatcatcher is a popular bird among birdwatchers and is a common subject of photography due to its attractive coloring and its small size. It is also a beneficial species as it helps to control the populations of gnats and other small insects.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Polioptilidae |
| Genus | Polioptila |
| Species | P. caerulea |
15. Great Blue Heron
The great blue heron is a majestic bird that is part of the heron family Ardeidae. It has a large wingspan that can be seen soaring in the sky from far away.
This bird is known to inhabit areas near the shores of open water and in wetlands across a large part of North and Central America, as well as parts of northwestern South America, the Caribbean, and the Galápagos Islands.
Its long legs allow it to wade through shallow waters while it searches for its favorite food – fish. The great blue heron is a beautiful sight to see, with its long neck and dark feathers. It is a symbol of nature and the beauty of our world.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Pelecaniformes |
| Family | Ardeidae |
| Genus | Ardea |
| Species | A. herodias |
16. Gnatcatcher
Source: thespruce.com
Gnatcatchers are a family of small passerine birds found in North and South America. The family, known as Polioptilidae, consists of 21 species.
Most of these birds prefer tropical and subtropical environments and are usually resident birds, meaning they stay within the same region year-round.
However, one species of gnatcatcher, the blue-grey gnatcatcher of the United States and southern Canada, migrates south during the winter months. This species of gnatcatcher is unique among the family for its seasonal movement.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Polioptilidae |
Conclusion
Small blue birds in Ontario are a common sight in the province. These birds can be found in many different habitats, from gardens and woodlands to wetlands and grasslands.
They provide a cheerful addition to the environment, and their presence is welcomed by birdwatchers and non-birders alike. The small blue bird population in Ontario is healthy and stable, and they are sure to provide joy to many for many years to come.