Larger than a robin and smaller than a pigeon, the long-legged burrowing owls are named for their curious habit of nesting in abandoned gopher (ground squirrel) or badger burrows, on grazed grasslands.
Did you know?
They can co-exist with cattle – they even line their nests with cow dung!
A female burrowing owl that nested in Arizona flew 1,860 km to Saskatchewan, where she then raised seven young – all within one summer! This is the longest breeding dispersal event within a single breeding season ever recorded for any raptor.
Chestnut-Collared Longspur
Calcarius ornatus
Threatened
A small, sparrow-sized songbird found in native pastures from southwestern Manitoba to southeastern Alberta. Males, commonly heard singing flying in fanciful aerial display, often reach heights of 15 m descending to rocky terrain, fences and isolated shrubs.
Did you know?
The nest, constructed by the female, is commonly situated beside a clump of grass, rose, sage or snowberry bush, or a cow pie.
The longspur is often found on square or rectangular parcels of native mixed-grass pastures, 32 ha or larger, in flatter areas devoid of woody vegetation, with sparse residual vegetation, and areas of shorter grass and bare areas.
Common Nighthawk
Chordeiles minor
Threatened
The common nighthawk is a medium sized bird, dark brown plumage mottled with black, white and buff, often recognized in flight with a white patch across the outer edge of its wing. They are often seen at sunset, flying over areas such as sand dunes, beaches, logged areas/forest clearings, burned areas, rocky barrens, prairies, peatbogs and pastures.
Did you know?
Generally, two eggs are laid directly on the ground from the 3rd week of May to mid-August.
Incubation is carried out by the female and lasts 16-20 days, depending on the region. Nestlings become fully developed between 45 and 52 days.
Once relatively common in cities where they nested on flat, gravel-covered rooftops, common nighthawk populations have declined in the past few decades because of reductions in flying insects, which they rely on for food.
Eastern Whip-poor-will
Antrostomus vociferous
Threatened
Eastern whip-poor-wills are medium-sized, insect-eating birds that are active from dusk until dawn. They have a large, flattened head, large eyes, and their cryptic grey and brown plumage acts as camouflage during the day while they roost in leaf litter on the ground. They live in semi-open forests or patchy forests with clearings.
Did you know?
With a small bill and a large mouth ringed with long, fine feathers that serve as sensory bristles, this species is adapted to capturing flying insects while in flight.
Like other aerial insectivores, this species has recently experienced rapid population declines, possibly caused by habitat loss or by declines in their insect food supply which may be caused by pesticides or climate change.
Ferruginous Hawk
Buteo regalis
Threatened
The ferruginous hawk has broad, long wings with rounded tips and a fan-shaped tail. Their name is derived from the Latin term for iron, ferrum, due to their rust coloured plumage. They have a characterisitc "V" on their underside which is formed by their dark reddish legs when flying. Ferruginous hawks are strongly dependant on native grassland habitats. They require a raised area, surrounded by Prairies for nesting so they can chase its preferred prey, the Richardson's ground squirrel.
Did you know?
Before settlement, ground nesting prevailed and nests were partially constructed of bison bones and wool.
There are two color versions of the ferruginous hawk. The pale type (described above), or the less commonly seen dark variety with its signature dark brown plumage with either a white or grey tail.
Greater Sage-Grouse
Centrocercus urophasianus urophasianus
Endangered
Greater Sage-Grouse, the largest grouse in Canada, are found on the southernmost Prairies where sagebrush grows. Their long pointed tail and black belly differentiate them from other grouse. Their numbers have drastically declined because of habitat loss and degradation, disturbance, weather conditions, predation and disease.
Did you know?
In the spring, males strut a flirtatious ritual dance with puffed chests and fanned tails in an attempt to attract females. Despite their macho efforts, only 15 percent of these show-offs successfully attract a mate.
The Governments of Canada and Alberta have partnered to fund a captive breeding program at the Calgary Zoo as one aspect of an intensive effort to assist with species recovery in Canada.
Least Bittern
Ixobrychus exilis
Threatened
Least bitterns are much smaller than other members of the heron family such as American bitterns. They are secretive, often heard giving a soft, low "coo" call. In flight, their legs often dangle below their bodies. They generally prefer marshes that are five hectares (12.5 acres) in size or larger. They reside in areas covered in dense cattail next to deeper open water.
Did you know?
Like other bitterns, they are occasionally seen holding a reed-like pose with their bill pointed upwards, blending in with their surroundings.
They are affected by recreational water activities and the decline in the number and quality of marshes in the Prairies.
Maintaining vegetation around wetlands will improve water quality and clarity which they need to forage for aquatic insects, frogs and small fish.
Piping Plover
Charadrius melodus circumcinctus
Threatened
Piping plovers are small shorebirds with a single neck-band, an orange bill with a black tip and orange legs that differentiate them from similar looking killdeer that have two neck-bands (see photo). Plovers are found on sparsely vegetated sand or gravel beaches and alkali mud flats where they nest and raise their young.
Did you know?
Keeping pets, cattle and vehicles (including ATVs) off nesting beaches increases survival of plovers.
Ranchers and other landowners have signed up for voluntary stewardship programs to conserve piping plovers and their habitat.
Prairie Loggerhead Shrike
Lanius ludovicianus excubitorides
Threatened
Prairie loggerhead shrikes are slightly smaller than a robin with a distinctive black mask across their eyes and forehead. They occupy open grassland areas, but require scattered trees or shrubs nearby for nesting and perches. The loggerhead shrike migrates south in winter, and are replaced on the Canadian Prairie by the similar but slightly larger northern shrike.
Did you know?
These masked hunters use their sharply hooked beak to kill insects or mice and will often impale their prey on thorns or barbed wire for future use.
Shrikes often use roadside power lines and fences as hunting perches.
Do not clear abandoned farmyards to maintain shrub and tree growth for nesting shrikes and other wildlife.
Sage Thrasher
Oreoscoptes montanus
Endangered
Sage thrashers are slightly smaller than robins and are distinguished from the more common brown thrashers by their shorter tail and grayish rather than reddishbrown colour. As the name implies, sage thrashers prefer areas where sagebrush grows.
Did you know?
Both males and females are equally involved in building the nest, sitting on the eggs and caring for the young.
Although they are common south of the border in areas where sagebrush is abundant, they are extremely rare in Canada.
Sprague's Pipit
Anthus spragueii
Threatened
Sprague's pipits are secretive sparrow-like birds more often heard than seen. The males sing a twittering "Cheeeer, Cheeer, Cheeer, Cheeer" while circling at a height of up to 150 m (500 feet) in the air. Then, they drop rapidly to the ground and hide in the grass.
Did you know?
Sprague's pipits nest on the ground in native grasslands and feed insects to their young.
They prefer range in fair to excellent condition and are rare in cultivated lands or introduced forage.
Red-headed Woodpecker
Melanerpes erythrocephalus
Threatened
Red-headed woodpeckers are easily recognizable robin-sized birds. They have an unmistakable red head and neck and contrasting black and white body. Large white patches are visible on their wings in flight. They prefer woodlots containing larger scattered trees and limited ground cover usually located near clearings such as roads or open pastures.
Did you know?
They can catch flying insects, and do so more frequently and skillfully than most other woodpeckers.
The male is solely responsible for incubation during the night.
They nest in dead standing trees or dead limbs of live trees, often found within grazed wooded pastures. Landowners should avoid removing dead trees and limbs from their property if possible.