Birds of British Columbia, Canada
Your Complete Guide to BC's Feathered Residents
Birds of British Columbia infographic
Canada has some amazing places to see wildlife and birds. If you’ve ever wondered what makes British Columbia one of Canada’s best birding destinations, this is your space. The birds of British Columbia represent some of the most diverse and fascinating avian life in North America, with over 500 species calling this stunning province home.
What Makes British Columbia a Birding Paradise?
British Columbia’s strategic location on North America’s west coast creates a natural flyway for countless migrating species. The province sits at the intersection of major migration routes, with birds traveling from as far south as South America and as far north as the Arctic.
The diversity here is mind-blowing. You’ve got:
Coastal wetlands teeming with waterfowl
Old-growth forests hosting everything from tiny nuthatches to massive woodpeckers
Alpine meadows where ptarmigan thrive
Urban areas where adaptable species flourish
Open country such as grasslands and agricultural fields, providing important habitat for species like wagtails, pipits, plovers, and lapwings
According to Birds Canada, BC hosts approximately 35% of all North American bird species within its borders. That’s pretty impressive for a single province!
Annas Hummingbird | Photo by Steve Byland
First..British Columbia's Official Bird: The Steller's Jay
Let's start with the star of the show. What is British Columbia's official bird? It's the stunning Steller's Jay (Cyanocitta stelleri), and honestly, they couldn't have picked a better representative.
These bold, brilliant blue birds are like the extroverts of the forest. With their striking black heads and electric blue bodies, Steller's Jays are impossible to miss. They're intelligent, curious, and absolutely fearless, I've watched them steal sandwiches right off picnic tables in provincial parks.
What makes them perfect ambassadors for BC? They're found throughout the province's forested regions, from sea level to high elevations. They're year-round residents, so you can spot them whether you're visiting in summer or winter. Plus, they embody that rugged, independent spirit that BC is known for.
Stellar’s Jay | Via Getty Images
1. Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus)
Most people think of bald eagles as one of the most important animals of the America. But honestly, nothing says "majestic BC wildlife" quite like a Bald Eagle soaring over the coast. These massive raptors are actually quite common here, especially along BC coastal areas where salmon runs provide abundant food.
Adult Bald Eagles are unmistakable with their white heads and tails contrasting against dark brown bodies. But here's something cool – juveniles look completely different, with mottled brown and white plumage that can confuse new birders. They don't get their iconic white head until they're about 4-5 years old.
The best spots to see them? Try the Fraser River during salmon season, or pretty much any coastal area with good fish populations. Brackendale, near Squamish, hosts one of the largest winter gatherings of Bald Eagles in North America.
Bald Eagle | Photo by ken Canning
2. Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias)
These prehistoric-looking birds are like living dinosaurs, and they're absolutely everywhere in BC. Standing up to 4.5 feet tall, Great Blue Herons are patient hunters that'll stand motionless for hours waiting for the perfect fish to swim by.
What I love about herons is their adaptability. You'll find them in coastal estuaries, mountain lakes, urban ponds, and even roadside ditches. They're the ultimate opportunists, eating everything from fish and frogs to small mammals and birds.
Vancouver's Pacific Spirit Park is famous for its heron colony, where dozens of pairs nest in the trees each spring. It's quite the spectacle – these massive birds building platform nests 100 feet up in the canopy.
Great Blue heron | Photo by Harry Collins
3. Pileated Woodpecker (Dryocopus pileatus)
If you hear what sounds like someone hammering inside the forest, you’ve probably found a Pileated Woodpecker. These crow-sized woodpeckers are the largest in North America, and they’re absolutely incredible to watch in action.
There are five species of woodpeckers in British Columbia, with the Pileated Woodpecker being the largest.
With their bright red crests and distinctive black and white patterns, Pileateds look like they stepped out of a cartoon. They excavate massive rectangular holes in dead trees, hunting for carpenter ants and beetle larvae. These excavations are so distinctive that you can identify Pileated territory even when the birds aren’t around.
They prefer mature forests with plenty of dead wood, making BC’s old-growth areas perfect habitat. The key to spotting them? Listen for their loud, laughing call echoing through the forest.
Pileated Woodpecker | Via getty images
4. Pacific Wren (Troglodytes pacificus)
Don’t let their tiny size fool you – Pacific Wrens have voices that can fill an entire forest. These mouse-sized birds are often heard long before they’re seen, delivering incredibly complex songs from the dense undergrowth of BC’s coastal forests.
What’s fascinating about Pacific Wrens is how they’ve adapted to BC’s rainforest environment. They’re perfectly at home in the thick, mossy understory where larger birds would struggle to navigate. Their diet consists mainly of insects, spiders, and other small invertebrates, which they glean from bark crevices and moss.
Finding them requires patience and good ears. Follow their song to dense brush piles or fallen logs, and you might catch a glimpse of their cocked tail and secretive behavior.
Pacific Wren | Photo by OldFulica
5. Common Loon (Gavia immer)
The haunting call of a Common Loon across a mountain lake is pure BC magic. These diving specialists are perfectly designed for life in the province's countless lakes and larger rivers.
Loons are incredible underwater hunters, using their dagger-like bills to catch fish. They can dive up to 200 feet deep and stay underwater for several minutes. On land, however, they're awkward – their legs are positioned far back on their bodies for swimming efficiency, making walking nearly impossible.
Their distinctive black and white checkered plumage and red eyes make them unmistakable in summer. In winter, they're much plainer gray and white, often seen in coastal waters before they head to interior lakes for breeding season.
Common loon | Photo by Ken Canning
6. Anna's Hummingbird (Calypte anna)
Here’s something that surprises many people – BC has year-round hummingbirds! Anna’s Hummingbirds have expanded their range northward and now live in BC’s coastal regions throughout the year, even surviving freezing winters.
Males are absolutely stunning with their iridescent rose-red heads and throats. They’re also incredible athletes, capable of flying backwards, upside down, and reaching speeds of up to 60 mph in courtship dives. Their unique wing structure allows them to move their wings in a figure-eight pattern, enabling these remarkable flight abilities.
What’s their secret to winter survival? They enter a state called torpor during cold nights, essentially hibernating for several hours to conserve energy. Many BC residents help them out by maintaining heated hummingbird feeders through winter.
Anna's Hummingbird | Photo via Getty Images
7. Northwestern Crow (Corvus caurinus)
You might think crows are just common urban birds, but Northwestern Crows are actually fascinating coastal specialists. These are the crows you’ll see along BC’s beaches, and they’ve developed some incredible behaviors.
Northwestern Crows can be seen in flocks of various sizes, depending on the season or habitat.
Northwestern Crows are master tool users. They’ll drop shellfish from heights to crack them open, use sticks to extract insects, and even slide down snowy roofs for fun (yes, crows play!). Their intelligence rivals that of young children in problem-solving tests.
Along BC coastal areas, watch for crows walking the tide line, turning over rocks and seaweed to find crabs, marine worms, and other beach delicacies. They’re also accomplished nest raiders, which doesn’t make them popular with other seabirds.
Northwestern Crow | Via Getty Images
8. Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus)
Red-winged Blackbirds are the soundtrack of BC’s wetlands. Males are unmistakable with their jet-black bodies and bright red shoulder patches (called epaulets), which they flash while defending territory from prominent perches.
These birds are polygamous, with successful males attracting multiple females to their marsh territories. Females are completely different – heavily streaked brown birds that look like large sparrows. This difference in appearance (sexual dimorphism) is one of the most extreme among North American songbirds.
They’re found in virtually every wetland habitat across BC, from urban storm ponds to vast coastal marshes. Their distinctive “konk-la-ree” call is one of the first bird sounds many people learn to recognize.
The presence of Red-winged Blackbirds in BC wetlands is notable, as they are commonly seen throughout the year or during the breeding season, making them a regular and important part of these habitats.
Red-winged Blackbird | Photo by Ken Canning
9. Belted Kingfisher (Megaceryle alcyon)
Belted Kingfishers are the fishing specialists of BC's waterways. These stocky, big-headed birds are unmistakable with their shaggy crests and rattling calls. Here's a fun fact – females are more colorful than males, sporting an additional rust-colored belt across their bellies.
Kingfishers are incredible hunters, diving headfirst into water from perches or while hovering. They can judge the refraction of light on water to accurately target fish below the surface. After catching a fish, they'll beat it against a branch to stun it before swallowing it headfirst.
They nest in burrows they excavate in riverbanks, sometimes tunneling 3-6 feet deep. Finding their nesting areas is easy – look for riverbanks peppered with round holes about 3 inches in diameter.
Belted Kingfisher | Photo by Harry Collins
10. Varied Thrush (Ixoreus naevius)
The Varied Thrush is British Columbia’s forest jewel. These robin-sized birds are absolutely stunning, with males sporting orange breasts crossed by a distinctive black band, slate-blue backs, and intricate wing patterns.
Identifying Varied Thrushes is often done by observing their unique plumage and listening for their haunting, ethereal song, which is unlike any other bird in the region.
What makes them special is their haunting, ethereal song – a single, pure note that seems to come from the forest itself. It’s completely different from other bird songs, almost electronic in quality. Indigenous peoples of the Pacific Northwest have long considered their call to be the voice of the forest spirits.
Varied Thrushes prefer mature coniferous forests, particularly those with dense canopies and rich understory layers. They’re primarily ground foragers, turning over leaves and debris to find insects, berries, and nuts.
Varied Thrush | Via Getty Images
11. Sandhill Crane (Antigone canadensis)
Standing up to 4 feet tall with wingspans reaching 7 feet, Sandhill Cranes are among BC’s most impressive birds. Their trumpeting calls can be heard from miles away, and their elaborate dancing displays are pure performance art.
These ancient birds – fossil evidence shows cranes have existed virtually unchanged for over 10 million years – migrate through BC in spectacular numbers each spring and fall. The Fraser Valley and Peace River region are particularly important staging areas. During migration, Sandhill Cranes take time to rest at these staging areas, allowing them to conserve energy for the next leg of their journey.
Sandhill Cranes are omnivores with interesting feeding habits. They’ll eat everything from grains and berries to frogs, mice, and even snakes. During migration, they can travel over 500 miles in a single day, riding thermals high into the atmosphere.
Sandhill cranes | Via Getty Images
12. Western Screech Owl (Megascops kennicottii)
BC's smallest resident owl is also one of its most cryptic. Western Screech Owls are masters of camouflage, with plumage that perfectly matches tree bark. During the day, they'll press themselves against tree trunks and become virtually invisible.
Their "screech" is actually a series of hollow whistles that accelerate in tempo – nothing like the harsh screech their name suggests. They're primarily found in BC's drier interior regions, where they nest in tree cavities and hunt small mammals, insects, and birds.
What's remarkable about screech owls is their ability to live alongside humans. They readily use nest boxes and can thrive in parks, golf courses, and residential areas with suitable trees.
Western Screech Owl | Photo by Arina hbaich
Understanding BC's Diverse Habitats
The incredible diversity of birds of British Columbia is directly tied to the province’s varied ecosystems. Each habitat supports different species with specific adaptations, and each bird species has a preferred habitat that supports its survival and behavior:
Coastal Rainforests: These moss-draped, towering forests support species like Varied Thrush, Pacific Wren, and Marbled Murrelet. The constant moisture and complex structure create ideal conditions for insect-eating specialists.
Interior Dry Forests: Ponderosa pine and Douglas-fir forests host different communities, including White-headed Woodpecker, Pygmy Nuthatch, and Mountain Bluebird.
Alpine Zones: Above treeline, you’ll find specialized species like White-tailed Ptarmigan, American Pipit, and Gray-crowned Rosy-Finch that have adapted to harsh mountain conditions.
Wetlands and Marshes: These productive ecosystems support massive numbers of waterfowl, shorebirds, and wetland specialists like Red-winged Blackbirds and Great Blue Herons.
Backyard Birding in British Columbia
Backyard birding in British Columbia is one of the most rewarding ways to connect with the province’s incredible natural diversity, right from your own home. Thanks to BC’s unique position on Canada’s west coast, even a simple bird feeder or a few native plants can attract an impressive variety of birds. From the electric blue flash of the Steller’s Jay to the cheerful calls of chickadees, your backyard can become a microcosm of the province’s wild beauty.
One of the easiest ways to get started is by setting up a bird feeder. You might be surprised at the range of species that will visit, especially during migration seasons. The bright red berries of the Pacific Dogwood, BC’s floral emblem, are a favorite for many birds, while flowering shrubs and trees provide both food and shelter. Even in urban areas, you can spot everything from sparrows and finches to woodpeckers and hummingbirds.
Backyard birding isn’t just for seasoned experts, anyone can enjoy the thrill of spotting a new species or watching the antics of familiar favorites. Keep a pair of binoculars handy, and consider keeping a simple journal to record your sightings. Whether you’re on the coast or further inland, British Columbia’s birds are always ready to put on a show. It’s a great way to learn about the province’s wildlife, support local species, and bring a little bit of the wild west coast into your daily life.
Bird-friendly Gardening: Creating a Haven for BC Birds
Transforming your garden into a bird-friendly oasis is one of the best ways to support British Columbia’s diverse birdlife while enjoying the sights and sounds of nature up close. By choosing native plants like Western Red Cedar and Pacific Dogwood, you’ll provide essential food sources and shelter for a wide range of species. These plants not only offer berries, seeds, and nesting sites, but also attract insects that many birds rely on for food.
Incorporate natural materials such as cedar mulch, logs, and stones to create a welcoming habitat that mimics the province’s forests and woodlands. Adding a bird feeder or two can help attract seed eaters and other birds, especially during the colder months when natural food is scarce. Don’t forget a water source, a simple birdbath or small pond can be a magnet for thirsty birds and a great resource for bathing.
The Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia has highlighted the importance of bird-friendly gardening as a way for citizens to contribute to conservation efforts. By making your garden a haven for birds, you’re not only enhancing your own outdoor space but also playing a part in preserving the province’s rich avian diversity. Every garden, no matter the size, can become a vital habitat for birds and a place of beauty and inspiration for people.
Best Times and Places for BC Birdwatching
Spring Migration (April-May): This is prime time for BC birding. Migrants are returning, residents are setting up territories, and everything is singing. Early morning (dawn to 10 AM) is when birds are most active.
Breeding Season (May-July): Perfect for observing nesting behaviors and finding species at their most vocal. Many birds are easier to locate when they’re defending territories. Note: some species, like the American Goldfinch, begin breeding in early June.
Fall Migration (August-October): Different from spring migration, with many birds in duller plumages but often present in larger numbers. Shorebird migration peaks in late summer.
Winter (November-March): Surprisingly good for certain species. Waterfowl concentrate in ice-free areas, northern owls may irrupt southward, and resident species are often easier to see without leaf cover.
Getting Started with BC Birding
Ready to explore the amazing birds of British Columbia yourself? Here’s what you need to know:
Essential Gear:
Binoculars (8x42 is a good all-around size)
Field guide (I recommend “Birds of British Columbia” by Dunn & Alderfer)
eBird app for recording sightings and finding recent reports
Comfortable walking shoes and weather-appropriate clothing
Top Birding Locations:
Reifel Bird Sanctuary (Delta): Incredible waterfowl diversity
Pacific Rim National Park (Tofino): Coastal specialties and seabirds
Burnaby Lake (Metro Vancouver): Easy urban birding with great diversity
Manning Park: Alpine species and mountain specialties
Peace River Country: Prairie species and massive crane migrations
BC Birds Identification Tips:
Start with size and shape – is it robin-sized, crow-sized, or eagle-sized?
Look for distinctive features such as a long tail, which can help distinguish species like the northern mockingbird or Eurasian collared-dove.
Note the habitat – forest, wetland, shoreline, or urban area
Pay attention to behavior – how does it feed, fly, or perch?
Listen to calls and songs – many birds are easier to identify by sound
Use eBird to see what’s been reported in your area recently
The Future of BC's Feathered Friends
The birds of British Columbia represent one of our most visible connections to the natural world. They’re indicators of ecosystem health, sources of wonder and inspiration, and integral parts of the province’s natural heritage.
Collaboration with Indigenous nations, who have stewarded these lands for generations, is essential for effective bird conservation efforts in British Columbia.
As climate change and habitat loss continue to pressure bird populations, citizen science becomes increasingly important. Every eBird checklist, every bird count, and every conservation dollar helps scientists understand and protect these incredible creatures.
BC’s birds have survived ice ages, adapted to human development, and continue to amaze us with their resilience and beauty. By learning to identify and appreciate them, we become part of their conservation story.
Your BC Birding Adventure Awaits
From the iconic Steller’s Jay to the secretive Pacific Wren, the birds of British Columbia offer endless opportunities for discovery and wonder. Whether you’re watching Anna’s Hummingbirds at your feeder or searching for Varied Thrush in old-growth forests, each birding experience connects you to the incredible natural heritage of this amazing province.
The name 'British Columbia' is historically associated with the southern part of the Columbia River, highlighting the province's unique geographic and cultural origins.
The diversity of BC birds reflects the province’s remarkable geography and climate. With over 500 species to discover, from common backyard visitors to rare coastal specialties, British Columbia truly is a world-class birding destination.
So grab your binoculars, download eBird, and start exploring. The birds are out there waiting to be discovered, and every sighting contributes to our understanding of BC’s incredible avian diversity. Whether you become a casual backyard birder or a dedicated species-chaser, you’re joining a community of people passionate about protecting these feathered ambassadors for future generations.
Remember – the best time to start birding is right now, and the best place is wherever you are. BC’s birds are everywhere, from downtown Vancouver to remote wilderness areas, ready to surprise and delight anyone willing to look up and listen.
Verification: 1afed4654e2efd4b