News RSS



Match Birds to Provinces and Territories

While the discussion of naming a national Canadian bird that represents us all continues, how many of the official birds of our provinces and territories can you name? Alberta: Great Horned Owl (Bubo virginianus) British Columbia: Steller’s Jay (Cyanocitta stelleri) Manitoba: Great Grey Owl (Strix nebulosa) New Brunswick: Black-Capped Chickadee (Poecile atricapillus) Newfoundland and Labrador: Atlantic Puffin (Fratercula arctica) Northwest Territories: Gyrfalcon (Falco rusticolus) Nova Scotia: Osprey (Pandion haliaetus) Nunavut: Rock Ptarmigan (Lagopus muta) Ontario: Common Loon (Gavia immer) Prince Edward Island: Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata) Quebec: Snowy Owl (Bubo scandiaca) Saskatchewan: Sharp-Tailed Grouse (Tympanuchus phasianellus) Yukon Territory: Common Raven (Corvus corax) Bird House Nature Company is in the process of adding more content to our website blog. We invite you to visit us as we blogaway with tips and resources.  

Continue reading



Bird Communication

“Are you talking to me?”Bird sounds are unique and differ wildly between species. They can be categorized into calls and songs. BIRD CALLSAlarm Calls* distinct and piercing, usually short but can be heard over long distances* in some instances or for impending great danger, the call can be rapid* purpose is to warn other birds when feeling threatened Flight Calls* heard when birds take flight or are in flight * birds that flock together tend to make flight calls* made when birds want to announce their location to other birds when moving*most often heard during bird migration Begging Calls* these calls are specific to young birds* they come in the form of rasps, chirps and wheezes* intended for parent to hear*...

Continue reading



Exploring Keystone Species

The term “Keystone Species” was coined in 1969 by ecologist Robert Paine in describing the role of starfish in eating mussels. Starfishes were seen as maintaining key ecosystems or structures of the area through the management of mussel populations. The National Geographic describes a keystone species as “an organism that helps define an entire ecosystem. Without its keystone species, the ecosystem would be dramatically different or cease to exist altogether. This means if the species were to disappear from the ecosystem, no other species would be able to fill its ecological niche."Announcing the arrival of the woodpecker and their unique pecking behaviour that serves more than themselves. They have earned the term master carpenters. In search of food, and a home...

Continue reading



Springing Into Nest Building

Tis the season to nest. Here is a look at the nest building requirements and preferences of the Gold Finch, House Finch, and Red-breasted Nuthatch.  House Finch * nesting season March till August* female builds small nest from weeds, grasses and thin branches found in trees, hanging vegetation or man-made cavities* does not like to nest in man-made bird houses* preferred feeder seeds: black oil sunflower, nyjer, millet, mustard seeds, milo* offer a way for Finches to drink as they may drink up to their own body weight in water each day Red-breasted Nuthatch* loves pine trees: using their sharp bill to carve out a hollow in a pine tree* line their nest with grass and then add a layer of...

Continue reading



A Clean Feeder Is A Healthy Feeder

At Bird House Nature Company we like to stress the importance of keeping a healthy environment for the visitors to your bird feeders.  Here is a reminder list and resources for the curious you that wants to learn more in the care of feeding wild birds.General Bird Feeder Cleaning Tips* Make sure all tools used for cleaning feeders are solely used for feeder cleaning and are kept outside.* Avoid feeders that let seed get wet.* Remember that if you are not using a no mess seed mix without shells, that you rake up the empty hulls from under the feeders. Hummingbird Feeders - As sugar breaks down over time it can ferment which encourages the growth of bacteria, mold and...

Continue reading