These birds range in size, from tiny Redpolls to Bald Eagles. Our winter bird species come in many colors from the blues and grays of the Jay family to the brilliant yellow of Evening Grosbeaks. There are around a hundred bird species that winter in Alberta.
Habitat is critical to winter survival, without adequate shelter and food sources, birds will not survive deep cold or snowstorms. Coniferous trees such as spruce create warm roosting areas. Chickadees rely on keystone species like the Pileated Woodpecker, which create holes in dead trees where chickadees cuddle together to stay warm and dry during winter storms and on cold nights.Wetland and riparian areas are popular feeding habitat for both seed eaters and raptors.
The color and song of our cold weather birds bring joy to winter.
Many bird species are declining in number from habitat loss, which is accelerating in Alberta. Recent studies have pointed to the use of pesticides being a cause for declining populations, to read more on the link between pesticides and declining bird populations see this article by the Smithsonian.
The following pictures are common birds from the central area of Alberta during winter.
