Focused on finch populations mainly in Ontario, Ron Pittaway has just recently released his most recent Winter Finch Forecast. Over the years, house finches have steadily taken over habitat once belonging to the purple finch. One study of finch behaviour found that purple finches lost out to house finches more than 95% of the times […]

As we get deeper into the fall we begin to say goodbye to some familiar feathers around our yards as species depart or begin preparing for their departures. Given this busy time of year, it can be difficult identifying locations to get a glimpse of either departing or arriving birds. In the fall of 2013, […]

Perhaps one of the most recognizable and aesthetically pleasing game birds is the Ring-necked Pheasant. These large game birds are one of the most sought-after species in by North American hunters due to their appearance and lightning-quick speed. Their powerful breast muscles give this bird remarkable power and when flushed, can reach nearly 40 miles […]

Just as any species on our beautiful earth, birds of all kinds range in many different sizes, are accustomed to eating different foods and partaking in different levels of activities in their daily lives. While to an untrained eye, a bird could look obese or ‘fat’, for most wild bird species, this is not the […]

One of the most dominant features of some species of owls is their prominently displayed ear tufts. These groups of feathers either stand upright on owl’s heads or hang alongside the head very much look like a set of ears and are usually associated by many people to be the ears of the owl, or […]

As we round out the end of September, a quick glance out your window might give you a few tell-tale signs that we have officially begun the fall season. The first day of autumn is officially September 23rd this year and the trees along the roadside or in your yard should definitely be commencing their […]

When we think of the most common bird feed raiders, we often associate squirrels and chipmunks as the primary offenders. Rightfully so, smaller mammals like squirrels and other rodents are by far the most common nuisances for avid backyard birders across North America. The marketplace is flooded with products and solutions specifically designed to protect […]

Many regions in Ontario offer fantastic viewing opportunities to get a glimpse of literally hundreds of hawks and other birds of prey in flight during their fall migration. Some of the best locations in Ontario to witness these breathtaking migrations are on the shores of either Lake Ontario at Cranberry Marsh or High Park or […]