Bird Species on Campus

Why is biodiversity important?

Species extinction brings with it irreversible loss of unique genetic codes, which reduces environmental integrity. Dalhousie’s Office of Sustainability has completed a natural inventory to help develop a natural environment plan to enhance biodiversity on campus.

(Blue-headed Vireo)

Why birds?

Residential development in urban and suburban settings is a major cause of habitat change affecting avian communities. These residential developments generally emphasize the use of ornamental, non-indigenous vegetation with little to no concern for native species and natural vegetation parameters. As a result, avian community composition and diversity is changed.

Did you know?

There have been over 30 species of birds recorded at Dalhousie. This summer an inventory was conducted on all three of Dalhousie’s campuses to identify which species regularly utilize these spaces during July and August. This will also help us identify other species that might be easy to attract to campus.

(Black-capped Chickadee)

Species recorded on campus include:

American Goldfinch, House Finch, Dark-eyed Junco, Common Grackle, Black-capped Chickadee, House Sparrow, Song Sparrow, American Crow, Rock Pigeon, European Starling, Mourning Dove, Chimney Swift, Red-eyed Vireo, Blue-headed Vireo, Gray Catbird, American Robin, Blue Jay, Hairy Woodpecker, Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Herring Gull.

*Click on the highlighted names to find out more information from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology.

Some other birds commonly seen on campus include:

Yellow Warbler, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Common Raven, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Northern Flicker, White-throated Sparrow, Purple Finch, Cedar Waxwing, Bohemian Waxwing.

A couple rare species that have been spotted using the campus while passing through this area include:

Snowy owl, Northern Saw-whet Owl, Barred Owl, Red-bellied Woodpecker.

(American Goldfinch)