BIRD SIGHTINGS
Song Bird Ranch is all about the birds! The property is filled with birds of all shapes, sizes, colours and songs, especially during the migration.
Over 65 different species of birds have been catalogued at Song Bird Ranch.
This page is dedicated to the birds seen on the property,
accompanied by few wildlife sighting photos.
We hope you enjoy this page and look forward to hosting your stay with us at Song Bird Ranch.
Pine Siskin
These sweet little birds breed from Alaska all the way through to Newfoundland. They breed primarily in coniferous and mixed forests, and often seen in alder forest and weedy areas . A year-round resident that forages on outer branched, weed stalks for small seeds and defends feeders ferociously. We have found that they are tolerant to human interaction and often sit on the hand of a patient bird watcher.
Dark-eyed Junco
This Slate-coloured bird can be found from Alaska to Newfoundland. They nest in the diverse woodlands, shrubby edges, croplands and open woods. Forages on the ground often scratching with their feet and shrubs for seeds or fruits. They are a social breed and found in large flocks and remain close to cover for quick escapes of predators.
Song Bird Ranch Bird Sightings
Page 2
An informative brochure showcasing all documented bird species that have been sighted on our property.
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Copies of the double-sided brochure are available for our guests to log any of their bird sightings on the property during their stay.
​
We ask that if you log a species not on our list please share your sighting and photos.
With the help of our guests the list is gaining new species, building our bird sighting page with photos and information of the species.
Pine Siskin
These sweet little birds breed from Alaska all the way through to Newfoundland. They breed primarily in coniferous and mixed forests, and often seen in alder forest and weedy areas . A year-round resident that forages on outer branched, weed stalks for small seeds and defends feeders ferociously. We have found that they are tolerant to human interaction and often sit on the hand of a patient bird watcher.
Song Bird Ranch Bird Sightings
Page 1
An informative brochure showcasing all documented bird species that have been sighted on our property.
​
Copies of the double-sided brochure are available for our guests to log any of their bird sightings on the property during their stay.
​
We ask that if you log a species not on our list please share your sighting and photos.
With the help of our guests the list is gaining new species, building our bird sighting page with photos and information of the species.
Cassin's Finch
Breeds in the southern interior of BC and winters in their breeding range. Forages in canopy or on ground, mostly for seeds, buds and some insects. Their song is complex and bubbly and are known to mimic other species.
Mountain Bluebird
This male Mountain Bluebird is very similar to the Western Bluebird, almost a purplish blue. The females have limited blue on the wings and tail with grayish head and body. They prefer dry open country, prairie lands and forest edge. Nest-box projects are commonly used where there is a loss of habitat.
White-crowned Sparrow
These birds are easily recognized with their unstreaked gray breast and bold head stripes. They forage on the ground for plant materials and travels in large social groups with other sparrows.
Rufous Hummingbird
This tiny bird comes by their name honestly, with their reddish-brown colour of rust or oxidised iron, otherwise known as "rufous". They breed in semi-open forests, thickets and shrubby edges, often near water. They indulge on early-blooming shrubs to regain their strength during the early spring.
American Robin
The Robin has a bulky thrush, solid grayish back and orange breast, the males are more vibrant in colours. They prefer semi-open areas to breed and forage, Their nests are constructed of mud and plant materials. They are drawn to forage on grounds and famous for their "stand still worm hunting" techniques.
Ring-necked Duck
This male ring-neck displays a purplish-iridescent head, black back and breast with vertical white mark on gray sides and front of wings. They prefer fresh waters and breeds often on wooded ponds and boggy meadows. They have a great ability to spring directly off water into flight attracting them to small treelined ponds.
Female Costa's Hummingbird
This female is white throated and rarely with small spots of violet and flanks tinged greenish. They are a fan of our sugar feeders and the males are quite protective of the feeder. The males also demonstrate their displays of diving multiple loops while penetrating whistles.
Red-wing Blackbird
We often say this bird looks like Superman flying in towards us, this breed is our favourite species and have always loved their song. This very vocal male is glossy black with red epaulet bordered with yellow buff feathers. These birds breed in marshes, wet meadows and in winter in feedlots. They forage for grains, plant materials and while nesting on invertebrates.
Bufflehead
Photographed is a mating pair of plump little diving ducks, they are gray billed, white belly and white wing patches only visible in flight. Breed in aspen parklands near wetlands, lakes and rivers. They forage by diving in shallow waters searching for aquatic invertebrates, seeds. They travel in small flocks.
(Yellow) Cassin's Finch
This rare capture of a Yellow Cassin's Finch had me stumped on what species he was. The Cassin's breeds in the southern interior of BC and winters in their breeding range. Forages in canopy or on ground, mostly for seeds, buds and some insects. Their song is complex and bubbly and are known to mimic other species.
Cinnamon Teal
This small dabbling duck has a dark shoveler-like bill. The male captured in this photo shows off his chestnut red colours and red eyes. These ducks migrate throughout central to western Canada in low elevation freshwaters and they prefer marshes with emergent vegetation as they dabble in pairs straining for seeds and other plant materials.
Room for Everyone
In the early spring the birds are forced share the open melting waters of the wetlands.
Here we have a pair of Canadian Geese, a pair for Buffleheads and a male Green-winged Teal.
Female Rufous Hummingbird
Unlike her mate, she has upperparts of green with a plain white throat with streaks of greenish throughout her orange-red feathers. Breeds in semi-open forests, thickets and shrubby edges, often near water. They indulge on early-blooming shrubs to regain their strength during the early spring.
Great Gray Owl
Seen on the property all year round, yet more social during the winter months. These bird are very large gray owl with a huge round head. Their face is marked with finer darker concentric circles, black chin and white bowtie. They feed mostly off voles and small gophers. Interesting fact of the Great Gray is that their large facial disk shape is efficient for gathering sounds so they can locate prey under deep snow or even shallow soil layers.