Songbird Guide

An Activity Guide About the Songbirds of British Columbia

A WORD from the BIRD

"Songbirds make up the largest, most complex and highly evolved group among all birds. Of the over 475 species of birds that can be found in British Columbia, more than 200 of them are songbirds.

This guide highlights species of songbirds from the 25 families found in British Columbia. It includes details on what the songbirds need to survive: food, habitat and nesting grounds.

It should also help you recognize some of the more common songbirds and discover some rare species with declining populations."

"Before we begin, here are some facts on what makes a songbird a songbird:

A bird song and a bird call are quite different. Calls are usually short and simple and used to signal things such as danger or hunger. Birds of all ages and both sexes produce bird calls all year round. Bird songs are long, complicated and repetitive. They can sometimes continue for hours at a time. The male songbird is usually the singer and his song, which is heard during the breeding season, may have two functions. It may help to defend his territory from other males or it may be used to attract potential mates. The male is also usually more colourful than the female, enhancing his chances of attracting a mate.

Although not all songbirds are musical, they all have a very well- developed vocal organ called the syrinx. The better a bird can control its syrinx, the sweeter and more precise its song.

All songbirds have feet that are specialized for perching. Song birds are often refereed to as "perching birds".Three of their toes face forward and one, the strongest, points backwards. This allows them to tightly grasp a perch safely supporting them even on tiny tree branches.

Most songbirds are migratory, spending the breeding season (spring and summer) in one area and migrating to warmer climates in the fall and winter."

"Oh, and there are a few symbols that you may see beside our names...for an explanation of these, head back to the Home page."

"Here's a list that you can use to skip ahead to a particular family. "

	Family TYRANNIDAE: Tyrant Flycatchers		Family MUSCICAPIDAE: Thrushes & Relatives
	Family LANIIDAE: Shrikes		Family MIMIDAE: Mockingbirds, Thrashes & Relatives
	Family VIREONIDAE: Vireos		Family STURNIDAE: Starlings & Relatives
	Family CORVIDAE: Jays, Magpies & Crows		Family MOTACILLIDAE: Wagtails & Pipits
	Family ALAUDIDAE: Larks		Family BOMBYCILLIDAE: Waxwings
	Family HIRUNDINIDAE: Swallows		Family PARULIDAE: Wood Warblers
	Family PARIDAE: Chickadees		Family THRAUPIDAE: Tanagers
	Family AEGITHALIDAE: Long-tailed Tits		Family EMBERIZIDAE: Buntings & Sparrows
	Family SITTIDAE: Nuthatches		Family CARDINALIDAE: Cardinals, Grosbeaks & Relatives
	Family CERTHIIDAE: Creepers		Family ICTERIDAE: Blackbirds & Relatives
	Family TROGLODYTIDAE: Wrens		Family FRINGILLIDAE: Finches
	Family CINCLIDAE: Dippers		Family PASSERIDAE: Old World Sparrows
	Family REGULIDAE: Kinglets

Located at:
675 Belleville Street,
Victoria, British Columbia,
CANADA