Southern Ontario is one of the richest birding regions in Canada, with over 400 species according to Birds Canada. The combination of forest, wetland, grassland, and urban habitat creates an ideal corridor for both year-round residents and migratory birds. From the bustling shores of Lake Ontario to quiet rural fields, birds are everywhere—you just need to know where and how to look.
Whether you’re a beginner scanning your backyard or an experienced birder visiting conservation areas, this guide covers the most common species across various habitats and seasons.
Common Bird Types Across the Region
Birds in Southern Ontario fall into broad categories, each with its own habitat preferences and seasonal patterns. You’ll see everything from colourful songbirds and backyard regulars to elusive wetland specialists and birds of prey.
Peak bird activity is during spring and fall migration when thousands of birds pass through the region in one of the largest migratory corridors in North America—the Atlantic Flyway.
Waterfowl and Birds of Prey
Southern Ontario’s lakes and wetlands host a wide variety of waterfowl. Mallards, Canada Geese, and Wood Ducks are the most common and can be seen in urban ponds and marshes.
On the wing or perched on trees and hydro poles, Red-tailed Hawks are perhaps the most familiar raptors. During migration, Broad-winged Hawks, Ospreys, and even Bald Eagles can be seen soaring overhead, especially in areas like Hawk Cliff near Port Stanley or Beamer Memorial Conservation Area in Grimsby, which are popular hawk-watching spots.
Woodpeckers: Nature’s Drummers
Ontario is home to nine woodpecker species, the most common are:
- Downy Woodpecker: The smallest species, often at feeders.
- Hairy Woodpecker: Similar in appearance but slightly larger with a longer bill.
- Northern Flicker: Feeds on the ground, often hunting ants on lawns.
- Pileated Woodpecker: A large, crow-sized bird that creates big rectangular holes in trees.
These birds are essential to the ecosystem, creating nesting cavities that are later used by other species like chickadees, nuthatches, and owls.
Nuthatches
- White-breasted Nuthatch: A common feeder bird, recognized by its head-first descent down tree trunks. Year-round resident and active in mixed woodlands and urban areas.
- Red-breasted Nuthatch: Smaller and more secretive, found in coniferous areas like Algonquin Park and northern York Region. Their nasal call sounds like a toy.
Both species are attracted to suet, sunflower seeds, and peanuts, especially in the winter.
Backyard Birds: Familiar and Friendly Faces
Backyard birdwatching is often the gateway into the hobby. Some of the most common visitors are:
- Black-capped Chickadee: Social and curious, chickadees will eat from human hands in parks.
- Northern Cardinal: A splash of red in winter, cardinals are year-round residents.
- Mourning Dove: Soft coloured ground feeders with a gentle “cooing” song and fast whistling wings in flight.
- Blue Jay: Bold, intelligent, and noisy, they often carry away multiple peanuts to hide for later.
Sparrows and Finches
Sparrows and finches may look unassuming, but they’re among the most abundant songbirds in Ontario.
- House Sparrow: Introduced from Europe, now common in cities and towns.
- Song Sparrow: Found in fields, marshes, and gardens with a melodic, trilling song.
- American Goldfinch: Bright yellow breeding plumage in summer; in winter, they molt to olive.
- House Finch: Often confused with Purple Finches, males have red foreheads and throats.
Goldfinches are the most frequently reported birds on eBird Ontario checklists year-round.
Crows, Jays, and Other Corvids
Members of the corvid family are super smart and are everywhere in Ontario.
- American Crow: Open fields, forests, cities. Uses tools and solves problems.
- Blue Jay: Mimics hawk calls to protect food. Often in groups, warning other birds of predators.
- Common Raven: Larger than crows with a deep, croaking call. More common in rural and northern areas, but moving south.
Wetland and Marsh Birds
If you visit wetlands like Cootes Paradise, Point Pelee, or Tommy Thompson Park, look for:
- Great Blue Heron: Ontario’s largest heron, slowly stalking fish in shallow water.
- Green Heron: Compact and shy; uses twigs to lure fish.
- Virginia Rail and Sora: Secretive marsh dwellers; more often heard than seen.
Marsh birds are best seen early morning or spring breeding season when they’re most vocal.
Blackbirds and Grackles
In spring and summer, massive flocks of Red-winged Blackbirds, Common Grackles, and Brown-headed Cowbirds fill the fields and forests with noise and movement.
Red-winged Blackbirds are the first to return, with males defending territories from cattail stalks.
Cowbirds are brood parasites—they lay eggs in other birds’ nests, often to the detriment of native songbirds.
Doves in Suburbia and Beyond
The Mourning Dove is Ontario’s most common dove, feeding under bird feeders. Often mistaken for the rarer Eurasian Collared-Dove, which is expanding its range northward and now being reported in southern Ontario.
Both species are easy to see in suburbia, especially in open fields and road edges.
Urban Survivors: Starlings and Pigeons
Though often maligned, European Starlings and Rock Pigeons are incredibly resilient. Starlings are famous for their murmurations—massive, coordinated flight displays. Both thrive in cities and are often seen nesting on buildings, bridges, and street signs.
Conservation and Protection
Not all Ontario birds are doing well. Species like the Bobolink, Barn Swallow, and Eastern Meadowlark are declining fast due to habitat loss. According to the Ontario Breeding Bird Atlas, grassland bird populations have dropped by 40% or more in the past 50 years.
Organizations like Birds Canada, Ontario Nature, and the Nature Conservancy of Canada work to protect key habitats through research, education, and land acquisition.
How You Can Help Birds
Small steps can make a big impact:
- Plant native species in your yard to support insects and nesting
- Use window decals to prevent bird strikes (estimated to kill up to 22 million birds annually in Canada)
- Keep cats indoors
- Support local conservation areas through donations or volunteer work
Get Started: Your Ontario Birding Adventure
Southern Ontario is a bird lover’s paradise. Whether you’re watching a chickadee from your kitchen window or a heron at dawn in a misty marsh, every bird is a window into the amazing world that surrounds us. Grab your binoculars and get started today!
