Learn about the birds of Kingston

Photo by Paul Martin

Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata)
Vibrant and intelligent, known for its loud calls and mimicry. Nests in trees in wooded areas and suburban yards, and is a year-round resident that adds color and personality to Kingston’s birdlife.

Eastern Screech-Owl (Megascops asio)
A small, camouflaged owl with a trilling or whinnying call, blending perfectly into tree bark. Nests in tree cavities and is more common in Kingston than many realize, often going unnoticed unless heard at night.

Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos)
A familiar dabbling duck in Kingston’s ponds, wetlands, and shoreline parks. Nests on the ground near water, often hidden in grass, and is a key species for engaging the public in urban and rural bird conservation.

Photo by Paul Martin

Sharp-shinned Hawk (Accipiter striatus)
A small, agile hawk that darts through woodlands and backyards in pursuit of songbirds. Nests in dense conifer stands around Kingston, and its sudden, stealthy appearances at feeders are both thrilling and telling of a balanced predator–prey ecosystem.

Photo by Paul Martin

Northern Flicker (Colaptes auratus)
A large, ground-foraging woodpecker with a golden flash in flight and a loud, ringing call. Nests in tree cavities, including nest boxes, and is a charismatic species often seen probing lawns for ants in Kingston’s parks and neighborhoods.

Photo by PG Bentz

Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia)
A small, streaky-breasted songbird whose rich, melodic song is heard throughout spring and summer. Nests in shrubs or on the ground in gardens, fields, and wetlands, and is celebrated in Anishinaabe teachings as part of the seasonal rhythm of life.

Photo by PG Bentz

Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus)
A bold marsh sentinel flashing red epaulets while defending its territory. Nests low among cattails in Kingston’s wetlands, and its abundance makes it a key indicator of marsh health.

Photo by Paul Martin

Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis)
A broad-winged raptor often seen soaring over Kingston’s fields and highways, its piercing cry is a hallmark of open country. Nests high in tall trees or on cliff ledges, and is a reliable indicator of healthy open habitats in the region.

Photo by PG Bentz

Common Loon (Gavia immer)
A striking black-and-white diver whose haunting calls echo across Ontario’s lakes and occasionally Kingston’s quieter bays. Nests on the ground near the water’s edge, and is a cherished emblem of wilderness for cottagers and paddlers.

Photo by Paul Martin

House Wren (Troglodytes aedon)
Tiny, energetic, and feisty, with a bubbling song that fills backyards and thickets. Nests in cavities, nest boxes, or sheltered nooks, and thrives in Kingston’s urban and rural landscapes.

Photo by PG Bentz

Pileated Woodpecker (Dryocopus pileatus)
A crow-sized woodpecker with a flaming red crest and powerful bill, leaving large rectangular holes in trees. Nests in large cavities in mature forests, and plays a vital role in creating nesting sites for other species in Kingston’s woodlands.

Photo by Paul Martin

Downy Woodpecker (Dryobates pubescens)
Small and active, with a short bill and a cheerful tapping in trees. Nests in small cavities in dead wood and is a common visitor to Kingston’s feeders, especially in winter.

Photo by Paul Martin

Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis)
Brilliant red in males and warm brown with red accents in females, both with a clear, whistled song. Nests in dense shrubs and is a favourite in Kingston’s gardens and feeders, symbolizing beauty and resilience through the winter.

Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura)
Graceful and gentle, with a soft, mournful coo. Nests in trees, shrubs, or even on building ledges, and is a familiar presence in Kingston’s gardens and open spaces, symbolizing peace and seasonal change.

Common Tern (Sterna hirundo)
A sleek, graceful seabird with a sharp bill and buoyant flight, often seen diving for fish in Kingston’s bays and along Lake Ontario. Nests on gravelly islands or flat rooftops near water, and its presence reflects the health of local aquatic ecosystems.

American Crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos)

A highly intelligent and adaptable bird known for its all-black plumage, loud cawing calls and complex social behaviors, the crow is ecologically and culturally significant. In Kingston, crows are especially notable during the fall and winter months, when thousands of them gather in large communal roosts within the city.