Swan (Trumpeter)

The largest of North American waterfowl, the Trumpeter Swan is resident throughout much of its range, but migratory in other parts. It was once reduced to near extinction by the early 20th century, but it is relatively common today.

These swans have a black bill and face unlike their cousins the Muted Swan which has a orange bill and black face

Trumpeter Swans form pair bonds when they are three or four years old. The pair stays together throughout the year, moving together in migratory populations. Trumpeters are assumed to mate for life, but some individuals do switch mates over their lifetimes. Some males that lost their mates did not mate again.

Photographed at Etobicoke Creek, Etobicoke, ON

Swan (Mute)

Mute swans have been cherished as symbols of purity and elegance for centuries. Native to Europe and Asia, they were transported to North America in the late nineteenth century by European immigrants.

Public opinion about mute swans is mixed. They are very large birds, measuring 56-62 inches in length. With little or no fear of humans, they are easily observed and provide opportunities for people to come in close contact with wildlife.

Their vibrant orange bills with black knobs, white plumage separate them from Trumpeter Swan. Their young, who have a dusky tinge and greyish bill, usually remain with their parents for about four months. Mute swans reside primarily in estuarine river habitats with smaller numbers on inland lakes and ponds.

Photographed at Etobicoke Creek, Etobicoke, ON

Swallow (Cliff)

The gregarious Cliff Swallow nests in large colonies on buildings, cliffs, and under bridges. The gourd-shaped mud nests can number up to several hundred or thousand in a single location,

 
When a Cliff Swallow has had a hard time finding food, it will watch its neighbours in the nesting colony and follow one to food when it leaves. Although sharing of information about food at the colony seems unintentional, when a swallow finds food away from the colony during poor weather conditions it may give a specific call that alerts other Cliff Swallows that food is available.

By alerting other swallows to a large insect swarm an individual may ensure that the swarm is tracked and that it can follow the swarm effectively.  

 

Photographed in the wild, Etobicoke, ON

Kingbird (Eastern)

The Eastern Kingbird is highly aggressive toward nest predators and larger birds. Hawks and crows are attacked regularly. A kingbird was observed to knock a Blue Jay out of a tree and cause it to hide under bush to escape the attack.

During the summer the Eastern Kingbird eats mostly flying insects and maintains a breeding territory that it defends vigorously against all other kingbirds.

Parent Eastern Kingbirds feed their young for about seven weeks. Because of this relatively long period of dependence, a pair generally raises only one brood of young per nesting season.

Photographed in Ballantrea, ON

Killdeer

The most widespread and familiar of the American plovers, the Killdeer is a common bird in farmyards, fields, and parking lots. Although many species of birds pretend to have a broken wing to lure predators from their nest, the Killdeer is the one most commonly seen performing this distraction display.

The broken-wing act used to lead predators from the nest would not keep a cow or horse from stepping on the eggs. To guard against large hoofed animals, the Killdeer uses a quite different display, fluffing itself up, displaying its tail over its head, and running at the beast to attempt to make it change its path.

Photographed in the wild, Ballantrea, ON
and Phoenix Zoo, AZ

Grebe (Pied-billed)

This is a small, diving bird that feeds on aquatic insects, small fish, and crustaceans. This Grebe is very shy and dives underwater or hides in aquatic vegetation when scared. These are solitary birds. Their nests are designed to float on the waters surface, but are usually attached to some vegetation.

Pied-Billed Grebes are monogamous over the breeding season. The young can often be seen riding on their parents' back. A small brown stocky body with short thick whitish bill with a black ring (breeding season). Its feet are set far back on its body. Also will have a whitish throat and darker crown and back. Been known to grow 12 to 15 inches in full length.

Photographed in the wild, Naples, FL

Duck (Mallard-Hybrid)

Mallards and Domestic farm ducks are very closely related, and hybrids are becoming more increasingly common.

Hybrids are common waterfowl in Toronto. The male is still the more colourful with its green and white head instead of the usual completely green head and white neckband. Hybrids have a white breast instead of the standard brown. This cross of a Mallard and white Domestic is larger than a typical Mallard.

It is not uncommon to see these hybrids around lake Ontario. This is a male found at the mouth of Etobicoke Creek

photographed in Toronto on Lake Ontario

Duck (Long Tailed)

Formerly known as Oldsquaw, the Long-tailed Duck breeds in the Arctic and winters along both coasts of North America. These birds here were in Lake Ontario in early March and seemed very happy playing and feeding. It is distinctive among ducks in plumage, molt sequences, foraging behaviour, and vocalizations.

The Long-tailed Duck is one of the deepest diving ducks, and can dive as deep as 60 meters (200 feet) to forage.  Of all diving ducks, the Long-tailed Duck spends the most time under water relative to time on the surface. When it is foraging it is submerged three to four times as much as it is on top of the water.

photographed on Lake Ontario, Toronto ON

Duck (Bufflehead)

Bufflehead Ducks are related to the Goldeneye duck but in a smaller size about 35cm long. They are named for their large buffalo shaped heads.

Males have a large white patch on the back of the head that extends from eye to eye. The head is generally iridescent black that shines with blues, greens, and purple colouring.

Females only have a white check patch on their black heads. She will nest in small abandon cavities neat water to incubate 6-10 duckling for 30 days, which will leave the nest after 3 days of hatching. Common sittings are between October to May.

photographed in Toronto on Lake Ontario