Vote for Halton Hills' Official Town Bird!

"Brightening your summer skies, one seed at a time!"

Description: The American Goldfinch is a small, vibrant bird known for its brilliant yellow feathers in summer and subtler grey tones in winter. These cheerful, social birds bring energy to fields, backyards, and open spaces, often travelling in groups.

Habitat: Old fields, weedy areas, orchards, backyards, and farmland.

Fun Fact: Unlike most songbirds, American Goldfinches nest in late summer to take advantage of abundant seeds for their chicks.

Attract to Your Yard: Plant native species such as purple coneflowers, sunflowers, and milkweed to provide natural food sources for goldfinches.

Where to Spot Them: Watch for American Goldfinches out of the Halton Hills Public Library - Acton Branch) and at Cedarvale Park in Georgetown. They can also be found in open fields and backyards throughout Halton Hills.

"Wise, witty, and wonderfully clever."

Description: With glossy black feathers and a distinctive croaking call, the Common Raven is a captivating bird. Known for their intelligence, ravens can solve multi-step puzzles, recognise themselves in mirrors, and even fly upside down!

Habitat: Forests, mountains, and increasingly urban and suburban areas in southern Ontario.

Fun Fact: Ravens are highly family-oriented and protective, often working together to find food and protect their territory.

Where to Spot Them: Spot Common Ravens in rural Halton Hills areas such as Silvercreek Conservation Area, Scotsdale Farm, or Glen Williams Park in Glen Williams. They are also occasionally seen in residential neighbourhoods like yours, especially early in the morning or late afternoon.

"Endangered aerial acrobats in need of your support."

Description: The Chimney Swift is a tiny, acrobatic bird known for its graceful flight as it catches insects mid-air. Though their calls are soft, large groups of these endangered birds can liven up summer skies and be heard above the sounds of downtown Acton.
Habitat: Urban areas, particularly around chimneys and tall structures.
Fun Fact: Originally reliant on hollow trees for nesting, Chimney Swifts have adapted to roost in unused chimneys.
Where to Spot Them: You’re likely to see Chimney Swifts around downtown Acton near the Halton Hills Public Library – Acton Branch) or downtown Georgetown during summer afternoons and evenings, but they may also be spotted near old chimneys in urban areas.

"Your bluebird of happiness, bringing joy to open fields."

Description: The Eastern Bluebird enchants with its striking blue plumage, sweet song, and gentle demeanour. Their flashes of colour and cheerful chirps make them a cherished visitor in natural spaces.

Habitat: Old fields, farmland, cemeteries, and other open areas with scattered trees.

Fun Fact: Specially designed "bluebird boxes" have helped this species recover after significant population declines.

Attract to Rural Properties: Install nest boxes in open fields or along rural roads, spaced at least 100 yards apart, to encourage nesting. Adding mealworms to feeders can also entice them to visit.

Where to Spot Them: Visit rural areas of Halton Hills such as Scotsdale Farm, Terra Cotta Conservation Area, or Silvercreek Conservation Area in early spring or summer. They can also be found along rural roads and open fields across Halton Hills.

"Graceful guardian of Halton Hills wetlands."

Description: The Great Blue Heron’s tall, slender frame and graceful movements make it a striking sight as it wades in shallow waters. Its calm presence and haunting call add to its mystique.

Habitat: Wetlands, ponds, riverbanks, and shorelines.

Fun Fact: Great Blue Herons nest in groups called rookeries, building large nests high in trees.

Conservation Note: Protecting wetland habitats is critical to ensuring healthy populations of Great Blue Herons and other wetland species.

Where to Spot Them: Watch for Great Blue Herons soaring near Black Creek, Silver Creek, the Credit River, Fairy Lake in Acton, or wading in wetlands such as Limehouse Conservation Area and Willow Park Ecology Centre in Norval. Early mornings and late afternoons are the best times.

"A flash of red and a sweet song for your backyard."

Description: A backyard favourite, the Northern Cardinal captivates with its bright red feathers and sweet whistle. Known as a symbol of love and family, this territorial bird often visits feeders in suburban backyards.

Habitat: Wooded parks, forest edges, and shrubby fields with plenty of cover.

Fun Fact: Male cardinals are so territorial that they’ll attack their own reflection in windows and mirrors.

Attract to Your Yard: Planting dense native shrubs and providing feeders with sunflower seeds can make your yard more inviting to cardinals.

Where to Spot Them: Watch for Northern Cardinals in parks, backyards, and in rural areas such as Silvercreek Conservation Area, or Willow Park Ecology Centre in Norval. Northern Cardinals are most often seen in the morning or late afternoon.

"The sky’s sentinel—majestic and vigilant."

Description: Powerful and majestic, the Red-Tailed Hawk is a thrilling sight as it soars or dives at speeds of up to 120 mph. Its shrill cry and sharp eyesight make it a standout predator in open fields and along roadways.

Habitat: Farmland, forest edges, and fields.

Fun Fact: Red-Tailed Hawks form lifelong pair bonds, often returning to the same nesting site every year.

Conservation Note: Rodenticides can harm birds of prey like Red-Tailed Hawks when they eat poisoned rodents. Opt for alternative pest control methods to help protect these vital predators.

Where to Spot Them: Visit Limehouse Conservation Area in Limehouse, Hungry Hollow Trail in Georgetown, or Glen Williams Park located in Glen Williams. Red-Tailed Hawks can also be spotted soaring over open fields and perched along rural roadsides near Hornby and Stewarttown, especially in the morning or late afternoon.

"Nature’s cleanup crew, soaring with purpose."

Description: The Turkey Vulture is a master of soaring, effortlessly gliding high above Halton Hills. Often misunderstood, these gentle birds play a vital role in keeping ecosystems clean by scavenging.

Habitat: Open fields, farmland, forests, and along roadways.

Fun Fact: With an incredible sense of smell, Turkey Vultures can locate food from miles away. They even use defensive vomiting to deter predators!

Where to Spot Them: Watch for Turkey Vultures along the Hungry Hollow Trail and the corner of 10^th Side road and 10^th Line in Georgetown , and in rural Halton Hills at Scotsdale Farm on sunny afternoons. Turkey Vultures are often seen soaring over open areas throughout Halton Hills.

"Hopping up and down trees with boundless energy!"

Description: The White-Breasted Nuthatch is a compact, energetic bird known for its unique ability to hop up and down tree trunks in search of food. These year-round residents symbolise home and protection.

Habitat: Woodlands, forests, and mature backyards with large trees.

Fun Fact: Their name comes from their habit of wedging seeds into bark and using their beak like a hatchet to crack them open.

Conservation Note: Maintaining mature trees in urban and suburban areas supports this species and other forest-dwelling birds.

Where to Spot Them: Watch for White-Breasted Nuthatches at Hungry Hollow Trail in Georgetown, or rural Halton Hills areas such as Limehouse Conservation Area, or Terra Cotta Conservation Area. White-Breasted Nuthatch are often found near larger trees, particularly in the early morning or late afternoon.

"A splash of sunshine in our summer wetlands."

Description: With its bright yellow feathers and cheerful song, the Yellow Warbler is a charming summer visitor. These tiny birds light up wetlands and marshes with their lively presence, bringing a splash of sunshine to natural spaces.

Habitat: Wet margins of fields, marshes, ponds, and along the edge of woodlands.

Fun Fact: Yellow Warblers migrate from Canada to as far south as Peru, making them one of the widest-ranging birds in Halton Hills.

Attract to Your Yard: Plant native shrubs like dogwoods or willows to create ideal habitats for these birds.

Where to Spot Them: Watch for Yellow Warblers at Willow Park Ecology Centre in Norval, Prospect Park near Fairy Lake in Acton, or Cedarvale Park in Georgetown. They can also be seen near wetlands and wooded edges across Halton Hills.

"Small, secretive, and full of surprises!"

Description: The Eastern Screech Owl is a small, nocturnal bird known for its cryptic plumage, which helps it blend perfectly into tree bark. Despite its name, this owl produces a soft, melodic trill rather than a screech. Its calm demeanour and wide eyes make it a fascinating sight for those lucky enough to spot it.

Habitat: Wooded areas, forest edges, parks, and even residential neighbourhoods with mature trees.

Fun Fact: Eastern Screech Owls nest in tree cavities or nest boxes and can coexist well with humans if provided safe habitats. They come in two colour morphs: reddish-brown and grey.

Conservation Note: Preserving mature trees and installing nest boxes in quiet areas can help protect this owl’s habitat and encourage its presence in urban and suburban spaces.

Where to Spot Them: Watch for an Eastern Screech Owl in rurul areas such as  Limehouse Conservation Area, Terra Cotta Conservation Area, or Silvercreek Conservation Area during quiet evening hours. These owls can also be found in mature trees in neighbourhoods across Halton Hills.