Birds of Ontario

Gee Hung Leo, 2T3 WB

Artist’s Statement: Before I started birding, I thought bird diversity only existed in Costa Rica or Mexico or Brazil. Only now do I realize the amazing diversity we have in Ontario, especially around the Great Lakes. In fact, many of the birds we see here migrated from the tropics! Bird migration also means that birding is never dull. Each week, I say goodbye to migrants heading north, while saying hello to other species settling in. Winter is excellent for seeing ducks like the Long-tailed Duck and the so-called ‘Snowbirds,’ the Dark-eyed Juncos. Spring is when splendid songbirds like the Eastern Bluebird start preparing their nests. Summer is a good time for shorebirds like the Greater Yellowlegs to relax on the beach. In Autumn, raptors tend to be especially busy hunting for their growing fledglings. All these pictures are taken in local parks as I seldom travel far to watch these feathered friends. Next time you go on a walk, I implore you to look and listen more carefully–I bet you will encounter some beautiful birds!

Wood Duck

American Kestrel

Long-tailed Duck

Greater Yellowlegs

Eastern Bluebird

Dark-eyed Junco

Red-tailed Hawk

Northern Flicker

Bald Eagle

Osprey