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* Birds Nesting in Canada:


Birds incubation time, nesting, clutch of eggs, migration and interesting details for:

Red polls, baltimore oriole, American gold finch, pine siskins, mourning dove, red-wing black bird, grackles, Northern cardinal, downy woodpecker, harry woodpecker, pileated woodpecker, black-capped chickadee.
House wren, white-throated sparrow, song sparrow, blue jay, grey jays, stellar jay, cow birds, european starlings, grosbeak, blue bunting, purple finch, american robin, northern flicker, blue jay, black-eyed juncos, Red-tailed hawk, cooper hawk, osprey, hummingbirds and more.
These are also the birds that I find in my backyard. :)

Bird Nesting
Incubation Time, Clutch of Eggs, Migration & Interesting Facts:

Hummingbirds in Canada - canadian-gardening.ca


   1. Red Polls:


• Incubation Time: Approximately 11-13 days.
• Nesting: They typically build cup-shaped nests in shrubs or trees using twigs, grass and moss.
• Clutch of Eggs: Usually contains 3-7 eggs.
• Migration: Red Polls are known to undertake seasonal migrations, often moving southward in winter.
• Interesting Details: These small finches are known for their distinctive red caps and black chins during breeding season.

   2. Baltimore Oriole:


• Incubation Time: Around 11-14 days.
• Nesting: Baltimore Orioles weave intricate hanging nests made of fibers, grasses, and plant materials.
• Clutch of Eggs: Typically 3-7 eggs per clutch.
• Migration: They are migratory birds, spending winters in Central America and returning to North America for breeding.
• Interesting Details: The male Baltimore Oriole has vibrant orange plumage, while the female is more subdued in color.

   3. American Goldfinch:


• Incubation Time: Approximately 12-14 days.
• Nesting: Goldfinches build compact, cup-shaped nests in trees or shrubs, often using thistle down and plant fibers.
• Clutch of Eggs: Usually 4-6 eggs per clutch.
• Migration: They undergo short-distance migrations, moving to warmer regions in winter. Our birds do not migrate.
• Interesting Details: American Goldfinches undergo a molt in late summer, during which they shed their bright yellow breeding plumage for duller winter feathers.

   Pine Siskins:


• Incubation Time: Around 11-13 days.
• Nesting: Pine Siskins construct cup-shaped nests using grass, twigs, and moss, usually located in coniferous trees.
• Clutch of Eggs: Typically 3-5 eggs per clutch.
• Migration: Pine Siskins are known to undertake irregular migrations, moving in search of food sources.
• Interesting Details: These small finches have distinctive yellow wing bars and a streaked appearance.

   Mourning Dove:


• Incubation Time: Approximately 14-15 days.
• Nesting: Mourning Doves often build flimsy nests of twigs and grasses, typically in trees or shrubs.
• Clutch of Eggs: Usually 2 eggs per clutch.
• Migration: They exhibit limited migratory behavior, with some populations migrating southward in winter. Our birds stay all year.
• Interesting Details: Mourning Doves are known for their mournful cooing calls, especially in the early morning.

   Red-winged Blackbird:


• Incubation Time: Around 10-13 days.
• Nesting: Red-winged Blackbirds build bulky, cup-shaped nests in marshes or wetlands, often using reeds and grasses.
• Clutch of Eggs: Typically 3-5 eggs per clutch.
• Migration: They are migratory birds, with populations in North America moving southward in winter. Our birds do not migrate.
• Interesting Details: Male Red-winged Blackbirds display striking red and yellow shoulder patches during the breeding season.

   Common Grackle:

• Incubation Time: Approximately 11-14 days.
• Nesting: Common Grackles build large, bulky nests in trees or shrubs, using twigs, grasses and mud.
• Clutch of Eggs: Typically 3-7 eggs per clutch.
• Migration: They are migratory birds, with populations in North America migrating southward in winter.
• Interesting Details: Common Grackles are known for their iridescent plumage and loud, varied calls.

   Northern Cardinal:

• Incubation Time: Around 11-13 days.
• Nesting: Northern Cardinals build cup-shaped nests in dense vegetation, using twigs, leaves, and grasses.
• Clutch of Eggs: Usually 2-5 eggs per clutch.
• Migration: While some populations may exhibit limited migratory behavior, Northern Cardinals are primarily non-migratory birds.
• Interesting Details: Male Northern Cardinals are known for their bright red plumage, while females have more muted colors.

   Downy Woodpecker:


• Incubation Time: Approximately 12 days.
• Nesting: Downy Woodpeckers excavate nest cavities in dead or decaying trees, often choosing softer wood.
• Clutch of Eggs: Typically 4-6 eggs per clutch.
• Interesting Details: Downy Woodpeckers are the smallest woodpecker species in North America, known for their drumming sounds. They love suet, especially during the winter months.

   Hairy Woodpecker:

• Incubation Time: Around 11-12 days.
• Nesting: Hairy Woodpeckers also excavate nest cavities in trees, usually in harder wood than Downy Woodpeckers.
• Clutch of Eggs: Usually 3-6 eggs per clutch.
• Migration: Similar to Downy Woodpeckers, they are non-migratory birds.
• Interesting Details: Hairy Woodpeckers have a larger size and longer bill compared to Downy Woodpeckers.

   Pileated Woodpecker:


• Incubation Time: Approximately 15-18 days.
• Nesting: Pileated Woodpeckers excavate large nest cavities in dead or decaying trees, creating rectangular holes.
• Clutch of Eggs: Typically 3-5 eggs per clutch.
• Migration: They are non-migratory birds, inhabiting forested areas year-round.
• Interesting Details: Pileated Woodpeckers are one of the largest woodpecker species in North America, known for their distinctive calls and large, striking appearance. They are lot large than the Downy woodpecker.

   Black-capped Chickadee:


• Incubation Time: Around 12-13 days.
• Nesting: Black-capped Chickadees build cozy, moss-lined nests in tree holes or nest boxes.
• Clutch of Eggs: Typically 5-10 eggs per clutch.
• Migration: Some populations may exhibit short-distance migrations, but many are non-migratory.
• Interesting Details: These small birds are known for their distinctive "chick-a-dee-dee-dee" call and their bold, curious behavior. Love these little busy birds. Every year they raise their families in our yard. They use our bird houses. :)

   House Wren:

• Incubation Time: Approximately 12-15 days.
• Nesting: House Wrens construct dome-shaped nests in natural or artificial cavities, using twigs, grass, and feathers.
• Clutch of Eggs: Typically 5-8 eggs per clutch.
• Migration: House Wrens exhibit limited migratory behavior, with some populations migrating southward in winter.
• Interesting Details: These energetic birds are known for their melodious songs and their tendency to build multiple nests, sometimes creating "dummy" nests. I find this fascinating. We also have House Wrens raise their families in our yard. They use our bird houses.

   Crow:


• Incubation Time: Approximately 16-20 days
• Nesting: Crows build their nests in tall trees, often using a combination of twigs, sticks, and other materials, lined with softer materials like grass, moss, or feathers. • Nesting:
• Clutch of Eggs: Typically 3-9 eggs, with an average of 4-6 eggs per clutch.
• Migration: While some crow populations may exhibit local movements or seasonal migrations, many crows are non-migratory and remain in their territories year-round.
• Interesting Facts: Crows are highly intelligent birds, known for their problem-solving abilities, complex social structures, and vocal communication. They are omnivorous scavengers, feeding on a wide range of food items including insects, small mammals, seeds, fruits, carrion, and human food scraps. Crows are also famous for their distinctive cawing calls and their association with folklore and mythology in various cultures around the world.

   Canada Goose:


• Clutch of Eggs: Usually 3-8 eggs.
• Incubation Time: Approximately 25-30 days.
• Nesting: Canada Geese typically nest in a variety of habitats including marshes, lakeshores, and grassy areas, constructing nests from plant material lined with down feathers.
• Migration: Canada Geese are known for their long-distance migrations, with some populations traveling thousands of kilometers between breeding and wintering grounds.
• Interesting Facts: These large waterfowl are easily recognizable by their black heads and necks, white cheek patches and distinctive, loud, honking calls. Canada Geese are adaptable birds, commonly found in urban parks, golf courses and agricultural fields, where they feed on grasses and grains.

   Mallard Duck:


• Incubation Time: Roughly 23-29 days.
• Nesting: Mallard Ducks build their nests in grassy areas near water, using reeds, grass, and down feathers, often concealed among vegetation or near human structures.
• Clutch of Eggs: Typically 8-13 eggs.
• Migration: While some Mallard populations are migratory, many are resident year-round, especially in temperate regions with mild winters.
• Interesting Facts: Mallards are among the most widespread and familiar duck species worldwide. Theycan be found in ponds, rivers and marshes. Male Mallards, known as drakes, have distinctive iridescent green heads and are often seen in pairs or small groups during the breeding season. Female Mallards, or hens, are mottled brown for camouflage, especially during nesting.


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Birds of Prey in Canada

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