Fall migration brings a range of hungry birds

Frances Legault highlights some of the birds spotted in the neighbourhood by Manor Park birdwatchers during the fall 2023 migration

The fall bird migration is in full flight. It’s slower than spring migration, with longer stopovers. Many species of birds are passing through, others are coming for the winter, and some are residents all year. Manor Park bird watchers have plenty to look at.

It’s a good time to keep your feeders full!

Migrants

There have been large flocks of dark-eyed juncos and white-throated sparrows seen at Beechwood Cemetery.

Dark-eyed juncos are returning from northern regions of Canada and the Arctic. They are medium-sized sparrows with a rounded head, and a long, conspicuous tail.

In Canada, juncos are dark gray in colour, brightened up by a pink bill and white outer tail feathers that periodically flash open. You will find these birds of the ground hopping around the bases of trees and shrubs to feed.

White-throated sparrows are a common winter bird. Photo: Christine Hanrahan

Perhaps the most beautiful sparrow song of all is that of the white-throated sparrow, a handsome species that breeds in northern areas where spruce and fir trees abound.

There are two colour forms, one with black and white head stripes, the other with tan and black head stripes. Both have a sharply defined white throat patch and a dark bill. These birds are common in urban areas during migration and over the winter.

A family of ravens was nesting in an evergreen on Arundel Ave. Photo: Sam Armstrong

Common ravens have been highly visible and vocal in the neighbourhood throughout the summer breeding season and are now departing. A family was nesting in a large evergreen on Arundel Ave. Breeding pairs hold territories and try to exclude all other ravens throughout the year. They are among the smartest of all birds and often croak to let me know when my birdbath is empty so they can wash their food.

Can you tell a raven from a crow? You probably know that ravens are larger and often travel in pairs, while crows are seen in larger groups. The crow’s tail feathers are basically the same length, so when the bird spreads its tail, it opens like a fan.

Ravens have longer middle feathers in their tails, so their tail appears wedge-shaped when open. Listen closely to the birds’ calls. Crows give a cawing sound, but ravens produce a lower croaking sound.

Residents

A tiny bird seemingly overflowing with energy, the ruby-crowned kinglet forages through lower branches of shrubs and trees. Its habit of constantly flicking its wings is a key identification clue. This plain green-gray bird has a white eye ring and a white bar on the wings. The male’s brilliant ruby crown patch is hidden outside of mating season.

This one was seen on Braemar St.

The pileated woodpecker is a year-round resident in the neighbourhood. An insectivore, it is the largest of the woodpecker species in North America.

I followed the loud drilling sound of this female to the hydro pole in my backyard. Did you know that woodpeckers drill a new nesting hole each year? Their former holes then become homes for other birds and squirrels, supporting biodiversity.

Now common in southern Ontario, American goldfinches were once rare here in winter. The tremendous rise in bird feeding has led to an increase in wintering goldfinches. In winter, goldfinches are inconspicuous, having lost their colour, and are much less vocal than in summer.

Enjoy the birds and the beautiful weather on your walks in the neighbourhood.

References: Audubon and The Cornell Lab–All About Birds