Kingston, Ont. asking residents to pick official city bird

A collage of local Kingston, Ont. birds in the running to be named the city's official bird. (City of Kingston/cityofkingston.ca)

What local bird best represents the Limestone City? That’s the question the City of Kingston is asking its residents.

To support Kingston’s bid to become a certified “Bird-Friendly City” this year, residents are invited to help choose the bird that best symbolizes the community.

“Kingston is home to a wide variety of bird species. Some live here year-round, while others pass through during seasonal migrations. Now we’re asking you to help choose one bird to represent our city,” the City of Kingston says on its website.

A “Bird-Friendly City” is a designation granted by nature conservation charity Nature Canada, to communities that reduce threats to birds in their municipality, protecting and restoring natural habitat and increasing climate resiliency. Cornwall and Peterborough both have the designation.

The City of Kingston has curated a list of 16 locally found bird species to choose as the representative city bird. They range from the brightly coloured blue jay and cardinal to seabirds and waterfowl such as the common tern and the common loon.

“Your input helps raise awareness about the importance of protecting birds in our region and celebrates the birds that call Kingston home! The winning bird will be announced on Oct. 11 to coincide with World Migratory Bird Day and will become the official City Bird,” the city says.

The list originally had 15 birds, but the city said on social media on Friday that they had “overlooked” the American crow.

“You caw-t us! We overlooked the American crow in our short list of potential picks for Kingston’s official City Bird. Thanks for talon us how much you wanted the crow as an option,” a post on X said.

Residents with City of Kingston accounts can take the survey and view the full list of birds online. You can email [e-mail] or call 613-546-0000 if you’d like to submit your choice in an alternate format.

Earlier this summer, the City of Gatineau designated the pileated woodpecker as its official bird, which was also part of obtaining a “Bird-Friendly City” designation.

Birds of Kingston

Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata)Vibrant and intelligent, known for its loud calls and mimicry. Nests in trees in wooded areas and suburban yards, and is a year-round resident that adds color and personality to Kingston’s birdlife.

Eastern Screech-Owl (Megascops asio)A small, camouflaged owl with a trilling or whinnying call, blending perfectly into tree bark. Nests in tree cavities and is more common in Kingston than many realize, often going unnoticed unless heard at night.

Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos)A familiar dabbling duck in Kingston’s ponds, wetlands, and shoreline parks. Nests on the ground near water, often hidden in grass, and is a key species for engaging the public in urban and rural bird conservation.

Sharp-shinned Hawk (Accipiter striatus)A small, agile hawk that darts through woodlands and backyards in pursuit of songbirds. Nests in dense conifer stands around Kingston, and its sudden, stealthy appearances at feeders are both thrilling and telling of a balanced predator–prey ecosystem.

Northern Flicker (Colaptes auratus)A large, ground-foraging woodpecker with a golden flash in flight and a loud, ringing call. Nests in tree cavities, including nest boxes, and is a charismatic species often seen probing lawns for ants in Kingston’s parks and neighborhoods.

Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia)A small, streaky-breasted songbird whose rich, melodic song is heard throughout spring and summer. Nests in shrubs or on the ground in gardens, fields, and wetlands, and is celebrated in Anishinaabe teachings as part of the seasonal rhythm of life.

Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus)A bold marsh sentinel flashing red epaulets while defending its territory. Nests low among cattails in Kingston’s wetlands, and its abundance makes it a key indicator of marsh health.

Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis)A broad-winged raptor often seen soaring over Kingston’s fields and highways, its piercing cry is a hallmark of open country. Nests high in tall trees or on cliff ledges, and is a reliable indicator of healthy open habitats in the region.

Common Loon (Gavia immer)A striking black-and-white diver whose haunting calls echo across Ontario’s lakes and occasionally Kingston’s quieter bays. Nests on the ground near the water’s edge, and is a cherished emblem of wilderness for cottagers and paddlers.

Pileated Woodpecker (Dryocopus pileatus)A crow-sized woodpecker with a flaming red crest and powerful bill, leaving large rectangular holes in trees. Nests in large cavities in mature forests, and plays a vital role in creating nesting sites for other species in Kingston’s woodlands.

Downy Woodpecker (Dryobates pubescens)Small and active, with a short bill and a cheerful tapping in trees. Nests in small cavities in dead wood and is a common visitor to Kingston’s feeders, especially in winter.

Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis)Brilliant red in males and warm brown with red accents in females, both with a clear, whistled song. Nests in dense shrubs and is a favourite in Kingston’s gardens and feeders, symbolizing beauty and resilience through the winter.

Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura)Graceful and gentle, with a soft, mournful coo. Nests in trees, shrubs, or even on building ledges, and is a familiar presence in Kingston’s gardens and open spaces, symbolizing peace and seasonal change.

Common Tern (Sterna hirundo)A sleek, graceful seabird with a sharp bill and buoyant flight, often seen diving for fish in Kingston’s bays and along Lake Ontario. Nests on gravelly islands or flat rooftops near water, and its presence reflects the health of local aquatic ecosystems.

American Crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos)

A highly intelligent and adaptable bird known for its all-black plumage, loud cawing calls and complex social behaviors, the crow is ecologically and culturally significant. In Kingston, crows are especially notable during the fall and winter months, when thousands of them gather in large communal roosts within the city.

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