Birds in Richmond Hill

a cedar waxwing picking a berry from a tree

Richmond Hill has been recognized as a Bird Friendly City by Nature Canada for taking action to reduce threats to birds, restoring and enhancing their habitats and engaging the community in education, awareness and citizen science to monitor and protect local bird populations. READ THE NEWS RELEASE.Richmond Hill has many unique natural features, including wetlands, kettle lakes and forests that make it a haven for wildlife. Thanks to our ongoing care and protection of our natural environment, more than 115 bird species call our community home.

Birds play an essential role in healthy ecosystems and resilient communities. However, over the past 50 years, North American bird populations have declined by more than 25% or 3 billion birds.

This decline is largely caused by human activities, through predation from our domestic cats and collisions with windows and cars. Birds are also affected by climate change, as changing temperatures affect timing and availability of food, as well as migration patterns.

Richmond Hill wants to help reduce these threats and be part of the solution! That’s why we’ve become a Bird Friendly City through Nature Canada.

What is the City doing to support and protect birds?

On March 29, 2023 Council passed a Member’s Motion to endorse the City’s efforts to become a Bird Friendly City through Nature Canada, and on October 17, 2023 we became an official Bird Friendly Certified City. Richmond Hill is taking the following actions to help reduce threats to bird populations and create more resilient ecosystems for birds and other wildlife to thrive.

children planting trees at a public event

Restoring and enhancing habitats through the long-term restoration program and Community Stewardship Program
Encouraging bird safe design and reduced light pollution in all new development through the recently updated Sustainability Metrics Program
Reducing the threat from domestic cats through the animal shelter services, and animal control by-laws
Planting and protecting pollinator habitat, including habitat for birds, through the Mayor’s Monarch Pledge, Bee City certification and various pollinator projects
Regulating the planting, maintenance and removal of trees on public and private property through the City’s Street Tree and Tree Preservation By-laws
Protecting, enhancing and increasing Richmond Hill’s urban forest canopy (and bird habitat) through the City’s Urban Forest Management Plan and updated Environment Strategy

What can you do to support and protect birds?

People bird watching in a park The community has a role to play in protecting birds and their habitat! You can help by:

Planting native trees and shrubs on your property. Learn more at RichmondHill.ca/HealthyYards
Keeping cats inside and learning strategies to keep both cats and birds safe in the community
Preventing birds from flying into your glass windows. There are many simple ways to mitigate bird-window collisions
Be a conscious consumer! When shopping for items such as coffee, chocolate and paper products, look for certifications like Smithsonian Bird Friendly, Rainforest Alliance or Forestry Stewardship Council that help protect bird habitats
Go birding, and learn about the environment around you. Richmond Hill has many parks that offer accessible trails for birding:

See the drop down below or check out RichmondHill.ca/Parks for more parks to enjoy.

Contribute to citizen science programming (below) or by reporting your bird observations to eBird and iNaturalist.

Birding in Richmond Hill

Birding is a fun, educational outdoor activity for people of all ages. The thrill of spotting a rare species or finally catching a glimpse of that hard to spot owl is a wonderful feeling. You may be able to find a few of the extraordinary birds listed below in their natural habitats the next time you visit a Richmond Hill park or trail, or maybe even in your own back yard.

When you spot one, take a photo and share it with us on Instagram @myRichmondHill or use the hashtag #myRichmondHill for the chance to be featured on our page.

American Redstart – Moraine Park

American Redstarts are small birds that are easy to spot as they hop through trees and branches at Moraine Park in search of insects. Males are black with bright, orange patches on their wings and tail. Females have grey heads with yellow patches on their sides, wings and tail.

Gray Catbird – Little Don Park

Gray Catbirds can be found hopping along small trees and shrubs at Little Don Park. They are medium-sized, light grey birds with a little bit of black on their head and tail. If you can’t spot one, listen for their distinctive cat-like mew.

Great Horned Owl – Twickenham Park

One of the most common owls in North America is the Great Horned Owl. This classic bird has big, bright yellow eyes and two feathered tufts that look like ears. Great Horned Owls are nocturnal, but, if you’re lucky enough, you may be able to spot one sitting on a branch at dusk at Twickenham Park.

Green Heron – Newberry Park

You can often find Green Herons standing still at the edge of the ponds at Newberry Park as they search for their next meal. They are shorter and stockier compared to other herons. From afar, Green Herons look dark brown, but in good light you will notice their deep green backs.

Hairy Woodpecker – Beaver Woodland Trail

Hairy Woodpeckers are black and white, with checkered wings and two white stripes on their head. Males have a dash of red on the back of their heads. As you walk through Beaver Woodland Trail, look for them foraging on large tree trunks and branches. You may even be able to hear the swift drumming sound they make on trees.

Orchard Oriole – Rouge River Headwaters Trails

If you look up at the trees around the river edges of the Rouge River Headwaters and Trails, you may find an Orchard Oriole. Adult males are mostly black with brown underparts, while females are greenish-yellow with white on their wings. You may notice their pouch-like nests hanging from trees during their short breeding season.

Residents are encouraged to admire wildlife from a safe distance and to not approach or touch them. It is also important not to feed birds and other wildlife as it can do more harm than good. Find out more on how to coexist with urban wildlife by visiting RichmondHill.ca/Wildlife.

Join Richmond Hill's Bird Team!

Image of a warbler Through Nature Canada, recruitment is underway for the City of Richmond Hill Bird Team. The team’s mission is to protect birds by:

Creating safer urban environments
Mitigating key threats
Protecting and restoring natural habitats
Increasing climate resiliency
Conducting community outreach and education

The Bird Team may consist of naturalist groups, birding clubs, environmental organizations, municipal staff, businesses, educational institutions, researchers and citizens. No skill level or birding experience is required to participate. Recruitment is open to all Richmond Hill residents.

Interested? View the City of Richmond Hill Team Guide and email greeningthehill@richmondhill.ca to begin the process.

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