Cathartes Aura – Turkey Vulture

Cathartes Aura - Turkey Vulture

Distinguishing Features – Sexes similar. Large, broad-winged. Long and rounded tail. Plumage, dark brown except for paler flight feathers. Head, red, small, unfeathered. Longish, hooked yellow bill. Rather short, thick reddish legs. Holds wings in a dihedral angle while soaring and gliding. Size – average: 63.5 – 81 cm (25 – 32 in) Habitat The … Read more

Corvus Corax – Common Raven

Corvus Corax - Common Raven

Distinguishing Features – Completely black with purplish or violet reflections, most pronounced on back wings and tail. Male and female indistinguishable but female is slightly smaller. Size – 56 – 67 cm (22.5 – 26.75 in) Habitat Widespread; prefers wide open spaces for foraging and woodlots for nesting; anywhere with an easily accessed supply of … Read more

Corvus Brachyrhynchos – American Crow

Corvus Brachyrhynchos - American Crow

Distinguishing Features – Completely black with greenish or violet reflections, most pronounced on back wings and tail. Male and female indistinguishable but female is slightly smaller. Size – 43 – 53 cm (17.25 – 21.25 in) Habitat Widespread; prefers open spaces for foraging and woodlots for nesting; anywhere with an easily accessed supply of food. … Read more

Nyctea Scandiaca – Snowy Owl

Nyctea Scandiaca - Snowy Owl

Distinguishing Features – As large as the Great Horned Owl but lacks ear tufts. Overall colouration white, barred and spotted with brownish accents. Face, completely white; eyes, large, yellow; legs and toes, heavily feathered. Male is usually white or only lightly marked. Female (pictured below) is somewhat larger and more heavily marked than the male. … Read more

Bubo Virginianus – Great Horned Owl

Bubo Virginianus - Great Horned Owl

Distinguishing Features – One of the largest of Canadian owls. Overall coloration brown with white and blackish highlights. Chest; lighter. Large, yellow eyes ringed in brownish-orange. Beak, black. Prominent ear tufts. Female is somewhat larger than male. Size: Male: 46 – 58.5 cm (19.5 – 23.5 in) Female: 56 – 63 cm (22.5 – 25.25 … Read more

Pandion Haliaetus – Osprey

Pandion Haliaetus - Osprey

Distinguishing Features – Large, long-winged; dark brown above and white below with a white head and a prominent dark eye stripe. Bill brownish-black, blue at the base and margin; cere light blue. Iris yellow. Feet pale greyish-blue, tinged with brown; claws black. The male is usually all white below whereas the female has a necklace … Read more

Buteo Jamaicensis – Red-tailed Hawk

Buteo Jamaicensis - Red-tailed Hawk

Distinguishing Features – Upper side, dark brown randomly mixed with white and reddy-brown. Upper tail surface, characteristic chestnut colour (hence the name “red-tailed”), bearing narrow black subterminal band with whitish tip. Dusky strip from corners of the mouth to shoulder. Underparts are whitish, with a band, lined with random, slate-colored markings. The underside of tail … Read more

Aquila Chrysaetos – Golden Eagle

Aquila Chrysaetos - Golden Eagle

Distinguishing Features – Predominantly dark brown. Neck; tawny or golden brown. Tail, dark brown with a lighter base, decorated by ash-colored bands. Legs, medium brown; feet, yellow. Females are significantly larger than males. Size: Male: 76 – 89 cm (30.5 – 35.5 in) Female: 89 – 104 cm (35.5 – 41.5 in) Habitat In varied … Read more

Haliaeetus Leucocephalus – Bald Eagle

Haliaeetus Leucocephalus - Bald Eagle

Distinguishing Features – Bald Eagle has a predominantly dark-brown with pure white head, neck, tail and tail coverts. Bill and feet, yellow. Females significantly larger than the male. Size Male: 76 – 86 cm (30.5 – 34.5 in) Female: 89 – 94 cm (35.5 – 37.5 in) Habitat Primarily near waterways such as wilderness lakes … Read more

Ardea Herodias – Great Blue Heron

Ardea Herodias Great Blue Heron

Distinguishing Features – Upper parts, greyish-blue; head, white with a wide black stripe on either side, extending from the eye to a long slender crest; neck, grayish-brown edged with black downsides. Underparts are randomly streaked and colored black and white. Bill yellowish, long, tapering to a sharp point. Legs, browny-green, long. Male and females are … Read more