Birdlife of Redberry
In 1925, long before Redberry Lake was recognised as a UNESCO Biosphere Region, the Canadian Government designated Redberry Lake as a Migratory Bird Sanctuary, helping to protect the area as an important stopover for migratory birds, particularly waterfowl and shorebirds. In 1996, the region also received the designation of Important Bird Area (IBA) by Nature Canada, highlighting the area's significance for bird conservation and recognizing its vital role in providing habitat for a variety of bird species.
The Redberry Lake Biosphere Region (RLBR) undertakes several hands-on initiatives to protect bird species within the IBA. They engage in data collection efforts, such as bird banding, which involves capturing and marking birds to track their movements and population trends.
While visiting Redberry Lake you can have the opportunity to participate in one of their bird banding tours. The bird banding experience offers a unique, hands-on opportunity to engage with conservation efforts directly. Participants work alongside experts to capture, band, and release birds, gaining insight into the vital process of tracking bird populations and studying their behaviors.
Below is a compilation of birds you may be able to see during the experience. The tours run in the Spring and the Fall.
Northern Saw-whet Owl
The Northern Saw-whet Owl is a small, elusive bird with a rounded head, large dark eyes, and a mottled brown-and-white plumage that blends into its forest habitat. Named for its faint, saw-like call, it is often heard rather than seen. Despite its size, it has a keen hunting ability, preying on small rodents like deer mice and voles by gliding silently through the forest at night.
Range: Breeds in the northern forests of Canada and the northeastern U.S.
Habitat: Prefers dense, mature coniferous forests
Conservation Status: Least Concern
Seasonal Strategy: Primarily resident, but some populations migrate south during the winter months in search of food
Loggerhead Shrike
The Loggerhead Shrike is a medium-sized songbird with a distinctive black mask, grey upperparts, and white underparts. Known for its predatory behaviour, this bird often impales its prey—usually insects, small birds, or mammals—on thorns or barbed wire for later consumption, earning it the nickname "butcherbird." Despite its small size, it is an efficient hunter with a hooked bill, similar to that of a raptor.
Range: Found across southern Canada and the U.S., but the population has become fragmented, particularly in Canada.
Habitat: Prefers open habitats like grasslands, pastures, and scrublands with scattered trees or shrubs for perching and nesting.
Conservation Status: Endangered in Canada. The population has declined due to habitat loss, pesticide use, and collisions with vehicles
Seasonal Strategy: Partially migratory; northern populations may move south in winter, while southern populations are more sedentary.
Merlin
The Merlin is a small, fierce falcon known for its agility and speed in the air. Males are slate-blue above with a pale underbelly, while females and juveniles are brown with streaked chests. Unlike larger falcons, Merlins rely on rapid, powerful wingbeats to chase down small birds in open spaces, often in dramatic, high-speed pursuits.
Range: Found across much of Canada, the northern U.S., and parts of Eurasia.
Habitat: Prefers open forests, grasslands, and coastal areas for hunting, and often nests in coniferous or mixed forests.
Conservation Status: Least Concern
Seasonal Strategy: Migratory; northern populations move south during winter, while southern populations remain year-round.
Gray Catbird
The Gray Catbird is a sleek songbird, easily recognised by its soft slate-grey plumage, black cap, and distinctive rusty patch beneath its tail. Known for its unique ability to mimic the songs of other birds, the Gray Catbird also produces a sharp, cat-like "mewing" call, giving it its name. While foraging, it favours dense shrubs and thickets, feeding primarily on insects, fruits, and berries. Its shy nature often keeps it hidden, but it’s more vocal during the breeding season as it defends its territory.
Range: Breeds in southern Canada and across the eastern and central U.S.
Habitat: Prefers dense shrubs, forest edges, and thickets, often near water sources.
Conservation Status: Least concern
Seasonal Strategy: Migrates to warmer climates for winter, though some populations in the southern U.S. are year-round residents.
Canada Warbler
The Canada Warbler is a small, striking songbird, easily recognised by its bright yellow underparts and distinctive "necklace" of black streaks across its chest. Its slate-grey back and bold white eye-rings give it a sharp, alert appearance. Known for its energetic foraging habits, this warbler is often seen darting through dense underbrush in search of insects. Its rapid, chipper song is commonly heard during the breeding season, when males are most active in defending their territories.
Range: Breeds in boreal forests across Canada and the northeastern U.S.
Habitat: Prefers dense, moist forest understory, including mixed woodlands and riparian zones.
Conservation Status: Threatened in Canada due to habitat loss in both its breeding and wintering grounds.
Seasonal Strategy: A long-distance migrant, the Canada Warbler travels from its breeding grounds in Canada to the Andean forests of South America for the winter months.
Broad-winged Hawk
The Broad-winged Hawk is a medium-sized raptor, easily recognised by its compact body, broad wings, and strikingly banded tail. Its plumage is a mix of brown and white, with a pale underbelly that is often mottled with light streaks. Known for its impressive migratory flocks called "kettles," the Broad-winged Hawk is often seen soaring high in the sky during migration. It primarily hunts small mammals, amphibians, and insects by swooping down from perches in the forest canopy.
Range: Breeds in southern Canada and the eastern U.S.
Habitat: Prefers mixed forests with open clearings, often nesting in dense woodlands near water sources.
Conservation Status: Least Concern
Seasonal Strategy: A long-distance migrant, the Broad-winged Hawk embarks on an extensive journey to tropical regions, where it spends the winter months.
American Redstart
The American Redstart is a strikingly vibrant warbler, easily recognised by its bold black body and bright orange or yellow patches on the sides and tail. Males are particularly vivid during the breeding season, showcasing their fiery plumage as they flit energetically through the undergrowth in search of insects. Their distinctive, sharp, and melodious song can be heard as they mark their territory and communicate with potential mates. Females and young birds are less flamboyant, featuring more subdued yellow or olive tones. The American Redstart primarily feeds on insects, using its swift movements to startle and catch prey in mid-flight, though it will also consume fruits and berries, especially outside the breeding season.
Range: Breeds across North America, from southern Canada to the northeastern United States.
Habitat: Prefers deciduous and mixed forests, particularly those with dense undergrowth.
Conservation Status: Least concern
Seasonal Strategy: Migrates to Central America and the northern part of South America for winter.
Common Redpoll
The Common Redpoll is a small, energetic finch, easily recognised by its bright red forehead, black chin, and streaky brown body. Males often show a pinkish wash on their chest during the breeding season, while females have more subtle tones. These hardy birds are highly active, foraging in flocks for seeds, especially favouring birch and alder catkins—cylindrical clusters of tiny flowers. They are also known for their acrobatic feeding style, often hanging upside down from branches to reach food. In the colder months, they supplement their diet with small insects and grit, which aids in digestion.
Range: Breeds in the Arctic and subarctic regions of Canada and Eurasia.
Habitat: Tundra, open woodland, and scrubby areas with plentiful seeds.
Conservation Status: Least concern
Seasonal Strategy: Irruptive migrant; their migration patterns are unpredictable and depend on food availability. In years with food shortages in the north, large numbers may move south into southern Canada and the northern U.S.
Bay-breasted Warbler
The Bay-breasted Warbler is a striking songbird, easily recognised by the bold chestnut-bay flanks, sharp black mask, and crisp white wingbars of the breeding males, while the females display softer, more muted bay tones. During the breeding season, these vibrant warblers are highly active, flitting through the treetops as they energetically forage for insects, with a special preference for spruce budworms. Their distinctive, buzzing song fills the air, adding to the lively atmosphere of the forest. As the seasons change, so does their diet, shifting to include a variety of fruits during the non-breeding months.
Range: Breeds in Canada’s boreal forests and northeastern U.S.
Habitat: Coniferous forests, particularly spruce and fir
Conservation Status: Least concern
Seasonal Strategy: Migrates to Central and South America for winter
Fox Sparrow
The Fox Sparrow is a robust, large sparrow with rich, rusty-red streaks across its chest and back, giving it a warm, foxy appearance. Known for its vigorous scratching on the ground to uncover food, this sparrow is often spotted rustling through leaf litter in search of seeds, insects, and berries. Its song is a sweet, melodious whistle, often heard from dense undergrowth. Despite its stocky build, the Fox Sparrow is a strong migrant, travelling long distances between its breeding and wintering grounds.
Range: Breeds across Alaska, western Canada, and parts of the northern U.S.
Habitat: Dense shrubs and forest undergrowth, often near streams or moist areas.
Conservation Status: Least concern
Seasonal Strategy: Migrates to southern U.S. in winter, with some western populations remaining year-round along the Pacific coast.
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
The Yellow-bellied Sapsucker is a small, boldly marked woodpecker with a black-and-white patterned back, a bright red crown, and a pale, streaked belly. Males have a striking red throat, while females display a white one. Known for its unique habit of drilling rows of small holes in trees to feed on sap and the insects attracted to it, this bird is often heard before seen due to its rhythmic drumming.
Range: Breeds across the boreal forests of Canada and the northeastern U.S.
Habitat: Prefers deciduous forests, particularly those with aspen, birch, and maple trees, which provide ample sap for feeding
Conservation Status: Least Concern
Seasonal Strategy: Migratory; winters in the southeastern U.S., Central America, and the Caribbean
Harris’s Sparrow
The Harris's Sparrow is a large, striking songbird, distinguished by its black crown, face, and bib, which contrasts with its pink bill and white underparts. As they age, their markings become more pronounced, with adults showing bolder black patterns compared to juveniles. Foraging mainly on the ground, these sparrows feed on seeds, berries, and insects, often scratching through leaf litter with their feet. Their melodic, whistled song can be heard during the breeding season, as they perch prominently in open woodlands or shrubby areas.
Range: Breeds in the boreal forests of northern Canada.
Habitat: Prefers forest edges, shrublands, and open areas with scattered trees.
Conservation Status: Listed as a species of Special Concern under Canada's Species at Risk Act. The Harris's Sparrow has seen significant population declines due to habitat loss from agriculture, climate change, and resource exploration in the boreal forest
Seasonal Strategy: Migrates to the central U.S. during winter, often forming large flocks in open fields and woodland edges.
Pine Siskin
The Pine Siskin is a small, streaky finch, easily recognised by its slim bill, brown streaked body, and flashes of yellow on its wings and tail. Although this bird may look unassuming at first glance, its agile flight and constant twittering call make it stand out. Pine Siskins feed primarily on seeds, especially from coniferous trees, but will also consume insects when available. They are highly social, often found in flocks.
Range: Breeds across much of Canada and the northern U.S.
Habitat: Favours coniferous forests
Conservation Status: Listed as a species of Special Concern in some regions of Canada due to population fluctuations and vulnerability to habitat loss, disease, and extreme weather conditions during migration.
Seasonal Strategy: Highly irruptive; may migrate long distances in winter depending on food availability, with some populations remaining in place while others range far south.
Purple Finch
The Purple Finch is a small, brightly coloured songbird, with males displaying a raspberry-red hue on their heads, backs, and breasts, while females are more subdued with streaky brown and white plumage. Known for its seed-cracking beak, the Purple Finch feeds primarily on seeds, buds, and small fruits, though it also consumes insects during the breeding season.
Range: Found across much of Canada, as well as parts of the northeastern U.S.
Habitat: Prefers mixed forests, particularly coniferous areas
Conservation Status: Least Concern but populations are declining due to habitat loss and competition with the introduced House Finch
Seasonal Strategy: Partially migratory, with some populations moving south during the winter, especially during irruptive years when food resources are scarce.
Red-breasted Nuthatch
The Red-breasted Nuthatch is a small, distinctive bird with a striking appearance, featuring a rusty-red belly, greyish-blue back, and a black eye stripe that extends from its beak to its neck. Its unique habit of climbing down trees head-first and its high-pitched, nasal call set it apart from other nuthatches. This bird is known for its foraging behaviour, as it often hammers on tree bark to extract insects and seeds, particularly from conifers.
Range: Breeds throughout the coniferous forests of Canada and the western U.S.
Habitat: Prefers mature coniferous forests
Conservation Status: Least Concern
Seasonal Strategy: Resident throughout most of its range, but may exhibit some migratory movements or altitudinal shifts in response to food availability and harsh weather conditions.
Swainson's Thrush
The Swainson's Thrush is a medium-sized, subtly beautiful bird with a warm, brownish-olive back, and a pale, speckled chest that gradually fades to a white belly. Its melodious, flute-like song, often described as a series of ethereal notes, and its soft, rounded call are distinctive features. This thrush is known for its insectivorous diet during the breeding season, supplemented with fruits and berries as they become available.
Range: Breeds across the boreal forests of Canada and the northern U.S.
Habitat: Prefers dense, mature forests with ample undergrowth, especially near water sources
Conservation Status: Least Concern
Seasonal Strategy: Migratory; travels long distances between its breeding grounds in North America and wintering habitats in the tropics.
White-throated Sparrow
The White-throated Sparrow is a striking bird with a bold appearance, characterised by its crisp white throat and belly, and a brownish-grey back with dark streaks. Its distinctive yellow spots in front of the eyes, along with a black and white striped head, make it easily recognisable. This sparrow's melodious, repetitive song is a familiar sound in its range.
Range: Breeds in the northern forests of Canada and the northeastern U.S.
Habitat: Prefers dense, shrubby undergrowth in deciduous and mixed woodlands
Conservation Status: Least Concern
Seasonal Strategy: Migratory; moves from its breeding grounds in the north to more temperate regions in the south during winter.
Long-eared Owl
The Long-eared Owl is a medium-sized owl, easily recognized by its long, slender ear tufts that give it a unique silhouette. It has mottled brown and buff plumage, with streaking on its chest and belly, providing excellent camouflage in dense forests. Its rounded facial disc is framed by darker feathers, helping direct sound to its ears for precise hunting. This owl is nocturnal and primarily hunts small mammals, especially voles.
Range: Found across much of Canada and the northern U.S. during breeding, with some populations extending into Europe and Asia.
Habitat: Prefers dense forests or woodlands for roosting, often near open grasslands or fields where it hunts.
Conservation Status: Least Concern
Seasonal Strategy: Partially migratory; northern populations may move southward in winter, while others are more sedentary.
Going bird watching? Merlin is an app you can download to your phone that will assist you in identifying the species that you see.
How to use Merlin Bird ID
Download the Merlin app
Create an account. Make sure to allow access to your location and camera to improve identification accuracy.
Open the app and tap on the Start Bird ID button. You’ll be asked a series of simple questions:
Where did you see the bird? (Use your current location or select a location from the map)
When did you see the bird?
What did the bird look like? (Answer by selecting colours, size, and other features)
View Merlin’s suggestions. Merlin will generate a list of possible birds based on your answers and your location. You can scroll through the suggested species, compare them, and see photos, sounds, and detailed descriptions for each one.
If you have a picture of the bird, tap the Photo ID button and either take a picture through the app or upload one from your gallery. Merlin will compare your image to its database and offer identification suggestions.
Now’s the fun part. With Sound ID, you can record bird songs and calls directly in the app. Merlin will analyze the sound and show you the likely bird species producing the call, with real-time results as the bird sings!
Once you find the matching bird, tap it, and Merlin will confirm your observation. You can save the ID to your list and review it later in the app's My Birds section.
Merlin Bird ID is designed to help birders of all levels, from beginners to experts, so explore at your own pace and enjoy learning about new species!
How many species can you identify on your next hike?
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