Have you ever pondered the avian creatures gracing your backyard in Alberta?
Fear not, for this comprehensive manual shall illuminate the methods by which you can discern these feathered beings through both visual and auditory means, as well as shed light on the seasons during which you are most likely to witness their presence in Alberta. Additionally, avail yourself of a complimentary identification chart containing the prevailing backyard birds found in Alberta, which can be conveniently printed.
During the summer months in Alberta, one can expect the ubiquitous American Robins and Red-winged Blackbirds to make their grand appearances, while the winter season welcomes the Black-capped Chickadees and Downy Woodpeckers as the prevalent avian residents. Further elaboration on this subject matter can be located towards the conclusion of this composition.
Throughout the entirety of the year, the following avian species are known to grace Alberta’s backyards: Black-capped Chickadee, Black-billed Magpie, Downy Woodpecker, House Sparrow, Red-breasted Nuthatch, White-breasted Nuthatch, Northern Flicker, House Finch, Rock Pigeon, Hairy Woodpecker, European Starling.
For the summer season in Alberta, the following avian guests tend to make appearances: American Robin, American Crow, Red-winged Blackbird, Yellow Warbler, Tree Swallow, Clay-colored Sparrow, Cedar Waxwing, House Wren, Dark-eyed Junco, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Chipping Sparrow, Savannah Sparrow, Brown-headed Cowbird, American Goldfinch, Song Sparrow, White-throated Sparrow, Pine Siskin, Ruby-crowned Kinglet.
During the winter months in Alberta, one can expect the solitary Blue Jay to be a notable visitor.
As for the migration period, keep an eye out for the White-crowned Sparrow.
These aforementioned avian species represent the most prevalent backyard birds in Alberta, with a tendency to frequent your lawn or feeders. They are the avian creatures most frequently reported by avid bird watchers on ebird, as denoted by state checklists.
This article endeavors to provide you with ample identification information and accompanying photographs to aid in the recognition and allure of these common backyard birds that can be observed within Alberta’s vicinity.
Top 31 Avian Visitors in Alberta’s Backyards
1. Black-capped Chickadee
Year-round residents in Alberta, these charming birds are frequently spotted. Although they are more commonly seen in winter, it is because other birds are scarce during that time. Black-capped Chickadees don’t migrate and can be found in 32% of summer checklists and 63% of winter checklists submitted by bird enthusiasts.
2. American Robin
During the breeding season in Alberta, American Robins are a familiar sight, appearing in 54% of summer checklists. While they are primarily observed from April to October, some remain in the province throughout the year, accounting for 2% of winter checklists.
3. American Crow
With their distinct hoarse calls, American Crows can be found in Alberta during the breeding season. Their numbers increase during migration in April to May and August to September, making appearances in 40% of summer checklists and up to 54% of migration checklists.
4. Blue Jay
While Blue Jays are more commonly spotted in winter, they are year-round residents in Alberta. They are recorded in 9% of summer checklists and 27% of winter checklists. These large, blue birds with white undersides and upright crests are hard to miss.
5. Black-billed Magpie
Black-billed Magpies are more frequently observed in Alberta during winter, from October to March. However, they are residents all year round. They appear in 37% of summer checklists and 66% of winter checklists. Recognizable by their black and white plumage, long tails, and blue-green flashes, these birds are known for their noisy behavior.
6. Downy Woodpecker
Downy Woodpeckers can be spotted in Alberta throughout the year. They are seen more often in winter, accounting for 37% of checklists during that season. These small, black and white woodpeckers are commonly found at backyard feeders, often mingling with other birds like chickadees and nuthatches.
7. House Sparrow
Introduced to Alberta, House Sparrows are year-round residents in the province. They occur in 21% of summer checklists and 34% of winter checklists. These gray and brown birds with black and brown backs and white cheeks can often be found near houses and buildings.
8. Red-winged Blackbird
Red-winged Blackbirds are frequently seen in Alberta during the breeding season, appearing in 46% of summer checklists. While many migrate south for the winter, some remain in the province all year. These birds are easily identifiable by their all-black plumage and distinctive red or orange wing patches.
9. Red-breasted Nuthatch
Red-breasted Nuthatches spend the breeding season in northern Alberta and are year-round residents in the southern part of the province. They are recorded in 14% of summer checklists and 25% of winter checklists. These blue-gray birds with black and white stripes on their heads and a rusty underside can often be found foraging for cones in coniferous woods.
10. White-breasted Nuthatch
White-breasted Nuthatches are year-round residents in Alberta, appearing in 5% of summer checklists and 23% of winter checklists. These birds are gray-blue on the back and white on the face and belly, with a black cap. They are commonly found in deciduous forests, woodland edges, and parks.
11. Yellow Warbler
During the breeding season, Yellow Warblers can frequently be seen in Alberta, accounting for 26% of summer checklists. These small, bright yellow birds with yellow-green backs and chestnut streaks on the males’
breasts migrate long distances to breed in Canada and the US.
12. Tree Swallow
Tree Swallows spend the breeding season in Alberta, appearing in 32% of summer checklists. These small blue-green birds with white undersides and darker gray wings are often seen flying or perching on trees. They are known for nesting in tree cavities or readily taking to nest boxes.
13. Clay-colored Sparrow
Clay-colored Sparrows spend the breeding season in Alberta, making appearances in 26% of summer checklists. These small birds have distinctive head markings, including a gray collar around their necks and long notched tails. They breed in Canada and the northern Great Plains before migrating south to Texas and Mexico.
14. Northern Flicker
Northern Flickers can be found in Alberta throughout the year, appearing in up to 22% of summer and winter checklists. These large brown woodpeckers with black spots and a white patch on their rumps are known for their distinctive calls. They can often be seen foraging on the ground, digging for ants and beetles.
15. Cedar Waxwing
Cedar Waxwings are frequently seen in Alberta during the breeding season, appearing in 16% of summer checklists. These elegant social birds have pale brown heads, chests, and crests that fade to gray on their backs, wings, and tails. They are known for their yellow bellies and bright red wingtips.
16. House Wren
House Wrens spend the breeding season in Alberta, appearing in 19% of summer checklists. These small, nondescript brown birds with darker barred wings and tails are often found foraging for insects and spiders in backyards, parks, and open woods. They are energetic birds known for their cheerful songs.
17. House Finch
House Finches are year-round residents in Alberta, appearing in 11% of summer checklists and 18% of winter checklists. The males have red heads and breasts, while the females are mainly brown-streaked. These birds are commonly found in noisy groups in parks, farms, and forest edges.
18. Dark-eyed Junco
Dark-eyed Juncos can be seen in Alberta during the breeding season and migration. They are spotted in approximately 10% of checklists during summer and winter, with numbers increasing during migration to around 30%. These sparrows come in different colors depending on the region, from slate-colored to black, white, and brown.
19. Yellow-rumped Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warblers can be spotted in Alberta during the breeding season, accounting for 19% of summer checklists. These birds have gray plumage with flashes of yellow on their face, sides, and rump. Females may have a slightly brown coloration, while winter birds exhibit paler brown tones.
20. Rock Pigeon
Rock Pigeons can be found throughout the year in southern Alberta. They are recorded in 10% of summer checklists and 15% of winter checklists. These blueish gray birds with black wing bands and iridescent throat feathers are commonly seen in cities and may visit backyard feeders.
21. Hairy Woodpecker
Throughout the year, you can often spot Hairy Woodpeckers in Alberta, especially from October to March. These woodpeckers appear in 6% of summer checklists and 16% of winter checklists.
With their black and white pattern, Hairy Woodpeckers are medium-sized birds. The males have a prominent red flash at the back of their heads.
Hairy Woodpeckers do not migrate and can be found in all US states and Canada, except for the far north of Canada.
They inhabit woodlands and can be seen on the trunks or main branches of large trees. However, they can adapt to various habitats such as woodlots, parks, and cemeteries. Their diet mainly consists of insects.
22. European Starling
European Starlings, introduced to Alberta, can be seen year-round in the province. They are recorded in 19% of summer checklists and 5% of winter checklists.
These stocky black birds with iridescent purple, green, and blue tones are now one of the most abundant songbirds, although they are not native to the area.
European Starlings are found throughout North America, except for the northern parts of Canada and Alaska.
They are known for their aggressive behavior and often gather in large, noisy flocks. European Starlings feed on insects, fruits, and grains.
23. Chipping Sparrow
During the breeding season, Chipping Sparrows can be frequently observed in Alberta, appearing in 22% of summer checklists. They arrive in April and start to leave in mid-October.
Chipping Sparrows have a grayish belly, brown and black-streaked back, rusty crown, and black eye line. In winter, their colors become more subdued.
These sparrows breed in Canada and the US before migrating to Mexico and Florida for winter. However, some remain in the southern states year-round.
Chipping Sparrows can be found in small flocks on open ground and are attracted to various types of birdseed.
24. Savannah Sparrow
Savannah Sparrows spend the breeding season in Alberta and are commonly seen from April to October, appearing in 23% of summer checklists.
Recognizable by the yellow patch near their eye, Savannah Sparrows have short tails and streaky brown coloring.
They breed in Canada and the US before migrating to southern US states and Mexico for winter. Some individuals stay in the southern regions year-round.
Savannah Sparrows forage for insects and seeds in open areas such as grasslands and are often spotted on the ground.
25. Brown-headed Cowbird
Brown-headed Cowbirds are frequently observed in Alberta during summer, appearing in 22% of checklists from April to October.
Male Brown-headed Cowbirds have black bodies and brown heads, while females are brown all over with slight streaking.
They are widespread in eastern and southern US states, as well as along the Pacific Coast. However, those breeding in northern and western US states and Canada migrate south for winter.
Brown-headed Cowbirds are known as brood parasites, as they lay their eggs in the nests of smaller songbirds. This behavior can be detrimental to the host bird’s offspring.
26. American Goldfinch
In the southern parts of Alberta, American Goldfinches can be seen during the breeding season from May to November, appearing in 14% of summer checklists.
Male American Goldfinches display bright yellow and black colors in spring, while females and males in winter have duller brown plumage.
They are resident in most of North America, but those breeding in Canada and the Midwest migrate to southern US states for winter.
American Goldfinches can be found in weedy fields, over
grown areas, suburbs, parks, and backyards, foraging on sunflower, thistle, and aster plants.
27. Song Sparrow
During summer, Song Sparrows are frequently spotted in Alberta, appearing in 21% of summer checklists. They are mainly seen from May to August.
Song Sparrows are predominantly brown-streaked birds that rely on their constant songs to attract mates during the breeding season.
They live year-round in the northern US states, with those breeding in Canada migrating to southern US states for winter.
These sparrows can be found in open, shrubby, and wet areas, often perched on low shrubs and frequently visit backyard feeders.
28. White-throated Sparrow
White-throated Sparrows can be found in Alberta during the breeding season, and their numbers increase during migration. They appear in 18% of summer checklists and up to 24% of checklists during winter.
These sparrows have a distinctive black and white striped head, white throat, yellow between the eye and bill, brown back, and gray underparts.
White-throated Sparrows breed in Canada and the US before migrating to southern US states and the Pacific Coast for winter.
They inhabit forests, woods, and the edges of wooded areas, often seen in large flocks.
29. Pine Siskin
Pine Siskins spend the breeding season in Alberta, with some individuals remaining in the southern part of the province year-round. They appear in 12% of summer checklists and 4% of winter checklists.
These small finches have brown plumage with yellow streaks on their wings and tail, a forked tail, pointed wings, and a short pointed bill.
Pine Siskins are resident in pine forests of the western states and along the Canadian border. Some also breed in Canada before migrating south for winter.
They can be found over much of North America, depending on pine cone crops. Their diet primarily consists of seeds from conifers, grasses, and weeds.
30. White-crowned Sparrow
White-crowned Sparrows are primarily observed in Alberta during the spring and fall migration, but some breed in the southwest of the province. They occur in around 10% of checklists in summer and up to 19% during migration.
These large grayish sparrows have long tails, small bills, and distinct black and white stripes on their heads.
White-crowned Sparrows breed in Alaska, arctic Canada, and the mountainous west before heading south for winter to the lower 48 states and Mexico. Some individuals may remain in the Pacific Coast and mountainous regions year-round.
They can be found in weedy fields, along roadsides, forest edges, and yards, foraging on seeds of weeds and grasses, as well as fruits like elderberries and blackberries.
31. Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Ruby-crowned Kinglets spend the breeding season in Alberta, appearing in 10% of summer checklists. They can also be spotted during migration in the southeast of the province.
These small songbirds have olive-green plumage, and the males have a brilliant red crown that is often concealed.
Ruby-crowned Kinglets breed in Canada and the mountainous western regions before migrating to southern and southwestern US states and Mexico for the winter.
They are agile and fast-moving birds, often flitting around in foliage, searching for spiders and insects.
These are just a few of the fascinating bird species that can be observed in Alberta’s backyard habitats.