CHECKLIST OF THE BIRDS OF MANITOBA Date: Location(s): Weather: Observer(s): Manitoba Avian Research Committee Nature Manitoba Revised 2009 INTRODUCTION Manitoba s wide range of habitats support a great diversity of bird species. Of the 391 confirmed species included in this checklist, at least 306 occur regularly and 287 have bred in the province. Manitoba is an excellent ple to find some of the most wanted species in North America, such as Spruce and Sharp-tailed Grouse, Yellow Rail, Ross s Gull (at Churchill), Northern Hawk Owl, Great Gray Owl, Three-toed Woodpecker, Sprague s Pipit, Connecticut Warbler and Baird s and Le Conte s Sparrows. Because of Manitoba s central location on the North American continent, vagrants can and do arrive from all points of the compass. REGIONS. For this checklist, Manitoba has been divided into three regions (see map on bk cover). Coastal Tundra borders Hudson Bay and includes both low arctic tundra and taiga-tundra transition. Four different Bird Conservation Regions are represented within Manitoba s Boreal Forest consisting of mixed and coniferous forest as well as spruce-tamark bogs. The Farmland/Parkland region once included prairie habitat but today consists chiefly of agricultural land, aspen parkland and riparian woodland. However, fragments of prairie and a number of grassland areas remain. Pockets of boreal forest occur within this region and pockets or larger trts of farmland have been cleared at the southern fringes of the Boreal Forest region. The distribution of species within a given region may not be uniform. Within the Boreal Forest, marked differences in abundance may occur from north to south. For example, White-winged Scoter and Arctic Tern are more common in the north than in the south, while Mourning Warbler and American Redstart are more prevalent in the south. Uneven distributions may also occur within the Farmland/ Parkland. Species more common in the western part of this region include Greater White-fronted and Ross s Geese (during migration) and typical grassland birds such as Ferruginous Hawk and Sprague s Pipit. American Woodcock and Chestnut-sided Warbler are examples of species more common in the eastern portion. SEASONS. In this checklist, seasons are defined as: Spring (Sp) March, April, May Summer (Su) June, July, August Fall (F) September, October, November Winter (W) December, January, February Under this classification, spring arrives in the Coastal Tundra at the same time it does in the Farmland/Parkland a situation that does not reflect climatological reality! Criteria for ceptance of species. Records are considered confirmed when documented by one of the following: 1) a recognizable photograph or video recording; 2) a voice recording; 3) a convincing description by two or more competent observers submitted in writing to the Manitoba Ornithological Records Committee (MORC); or 4) a specimen. Birding Hot Spots. While there are many good ples to find birds in Manitoba, several locations stand out. The area around Churchill is famous for its Arctic birds and rarities such as Ross s Gull. In southwestern Manitoba, Whitewater Lake is worth a visit and the Lyleton- Melita area offers many western birds not found elsewhere in the province. Also in the west are Duck Mountain, Turtle Mountain and Spruce Woods Provincial Parks and Riding Mountain National Park. All of these are islands of forest in the prairie ocean. In southeastern Manitoba, Oak Hammock Marsh, Delta Marsh, Seven Sisters Falls area, Whiteshell Provincial Park, lakeside resorts and cottage communities offer fine birding opportunities. Within the city of Winnipeg, Assiniboine Park and several smaller city parks can be productive, especially during migration. For details on how to reh some of these sites, consult the bird-finding guide listed in the Reference Materials section. Manitoba has a group of enthusiastic birders who will gladly supply information on recent bird sightings. Call the Nature Manitoba office at 204-943-9029 for assistance in rehing someone in the group. Recent bird sightings can also be cessed at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/manitobabirds A Manitoba Bird Records File has been established at the Manitoba Museum (190 Rupert Avenue, Winnipeg, MB, R3B 0N2). This file ts as a repository for records of all bird species occurring in the province. Your sightings may be included in this file by contting Rudolf Koes, rkoes@mts.net, 135 Rossmere Cres., Winnipeg, MB, R2K 0G1; 204-661-0763. Especially valuable would be information from less extensively birded areas such as the northern half and the extreme southeast of the province. Species are listed in the order established by the American Ornithologists Union Check-list of North American Birds, 7th Edition,49th Supplement (2008).
The Manitoba Ornithological Records Committee is responsible for evaluating rare bird reports and ruling on additions to the provincial species list. Written documentation should be submitted to the committee via the Nature Manitoba website. Follow the Birding link at www.manitobanature.ca. Digital images or any other documentation can be e-mailed to Rudolf Koes at rkoes@mts.net or mailed to Rudolf Koes (see address under Manitoba Bird Records File). Natural history societies in the province include: Nature Manitoba - 401-63 Albert Street, Winnipeg, MB R3B 1G4; 204-943-9029; mns1@mts.net Brandon Naturalists Society - 3265 Rosser Ave., Brandon, MB R7B 0H1; 204-727-2995 Portage Natural History Group - 621 Countess Ave., Portage la Prairie, MB R1N 0S7 Intermountain Naturalists Society - 114 5th Ave. SW, Dauphin, MB R7N 1V4; 204-638-8395 Selkirk Birdwatchers Club - 15 Mapleridge Dr., Selkirk, MB, R1A 2Y5 Reference Materials Bezener, A. and De Smet, K., 2000. Manitoba Birds. Lone Pine Publishing, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Jehl, J. R., Jr., 2004. Birdlife of the Churchill Region: Status, History, Biology. Trafford Publishing, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. Manitoba Avian Research Committee, 2003. The Birds of Manitoba. Manitoba Naturalists Society, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. Manitoba Avian Research Committee and Brandon Naturalists Society, 2006. Finding Birds in Southern Manitoba. Manitoba Naturalists Society, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. This checklist is a collaborative effort of the Manitoba Avian Research Committee (MARC). It was first compiled in November, 1986. Revisions were made in 2000 and 2009. The cover illustration was drawn by R. Koes. The map was prepared by R. Tkhuk. Technical support was provided by Manitoba Hydro. ABUNDANCE CODES A - Abundant: can be observed on all visits to preferred habitats during the proper season, usually in large numbers. C - Common: can be observed on most visits to preferred habitat during the proper season, numbers may vary considerably. F - Fairly Common: often observed in preferred habitat, usually in low numbers. U - Uncommon: infrequently observed in preferred habitat. Its presence is not surprising. R - Rare: seldom observed but expected to occur annually. O - Occasional: seven or more records since January 1, 1960: not expected to occur annually. since January 1, 1960: - Accidental: one to six records since 1960. - Accidental: sightings before 1960. 1 - Accidental: one bird present for more than one season. I - Irruptive: abundance varies dramatically from year to year. * - Local: restricted to a few locations within the region. BREEDING STATUS A species for which breeding is confirmed, eggs or flightless young observed, and which is believed to have bred since 1960.? A species for which breeding is or was suspected without conclusive evidence. E A species for which breeding is confirmed but which is not known to have bred since 1960. GEESE, SWANS & DUCKS Greater White-fronted Goose F R R R F R R Snow Goose A U A A R A A A* A Ross's Goose U U R R C C* C Brant R U Ckling Goose C C C C A U Canada Goose A A A U A A A R A A A Mute Swan Trumpeter Swan R R R R R R Tundra Swan C R C U R F F F F Wood Duck F F F F F F Gadwall C C C U U U U U Eurasian Wigeon O American Wigeon C C C F F C U F U American Blk Duck R R U U U U F F F Mallard A A A U C C C R C C U Blue-winged Teal A A A F F C U? Cinnamon Teal O O Northern Shoveler A C C U U U U F F Northern Pintail A C A O F F F C C C Garganey Green-winged Teal C U C O F F C C C C Canvasbk C C C F F F R Redhead C C C F F F R O Ring-necked Duck F F F O F F F O R Tufted Duck Greater Scaup U O U C U C O R C F Lesser Scaup A F C R C F C O R U King Eider R R R Common Eider C C C Harlequin Duck O O R Surf Scoter R R R U R C U White-winged Scoter R O R U U U R F U? Blk Scoter O R R R R C U Long-tailed Duck O O O R O C C C Bufflehead F U F C F C O U Common Goldeneye C U F O C C C U* R C O Barrow's Goldeneye O O Hooded Merganser U U U U U U O R Common Merganser C R* F O C C C R R C Red-breasted Merganser U U C F F O R C F Ruddy Duck F F F R U R PARTRIDGES, GROUSE & TURKEYS Gray Partridge F F F F R* R* R* R* Ring-necked Pheasant U* U* U* U* Ruffed Grouse F F F F F F F F Spruce Grouse R* R* R* R* U U U U R R R R Willow Ptarmigan U U* U U F F F F Rock Ptarmigan O F F F Sharp-tailed Grouse C C C C F F F F E Greater Prairie-Chicken Extirpated Extirpated Wild Turkey U U U U O* O* O* O* LOONS Red-throated Loon R O U F R Pific Loon R R O U F U Common Loon U R U F F F O U Yellow-billed Loon GREBES Pied-billed Grebe C C C U U U R Horned Grebe C U F C U F R U R Red-necked Grebe C F U C F U Eared Grebe C C C U* R* O Western Grebe C C C F C R Clark's Grebe R* R* R* GANNETS Northern Gannet PELICANS American White Pelican C F F C C U O CORMORANTS Double-crested Cormorant C F C A A A O O BITTERNS & HERONS American Bittern F F F F F U O F R Least Bittern R R R* R* 1 2
BITTERNS & HERONS Great Blue Heron F F F F F F O Great Egret U U U R R Snowy Egret R R O Little Blue Heron Tricolored Heron O Cattle Egret U U U Green Heron R R O O O Blk-crowned Night-Heron F F U R R Yellow-crowned Night-Heron O O IBISES & WOOD STORK White Ibis Glossy Ibis White-fed Ibis R* U* U* Wood Stork VULTURES Blk Vulture Turkey Vulture F U F F F F F EAGLES & HAWKS Osprey U U U U U U U U R Bald Eagle F U F R F F F U U U R Northern Harrier F F F R F F U R F F Sharp-shinned Hawk F U F R U U U Cooper's Hawk U U U R R R R Northern Goshawk U R U R U U U U R R R? Red-shouldered Hawk O Broad-winged Hawk U U U U U U Swainson's Hawk F F F O Red-tailed Hawk C C C O F F F O R R Ferruginous Hawk R* R* R* Rough-legged Hawk F O F U F R F R F U U? Golden Eagle R R R R O R R FALCONS American Kestrel F F F R C C F R R R Merlin F F F U U U U O U F R Gyrfalcon R R R R R R R U R Peregrine Falcon U R U R R R R O U U U Prairie Falcon O R R O 3 RAILS & COOTS Yellow Rail U U R U U U King Rail Virginia Rail F F F F F F Sora C C C C C C F? Common Moorhen American Coot A A A C F C O CRANES Sandhill Crane C U C C C C F U U E Whooping Crane O O PLOVERS Blk-bellied Plover C F F U U U R U U American Golden-Plover C U F U R F C C C Semipalmated Plover U F U U U U R C R Piping Plover R* R* R* R* R* Killdeer C C F F F F U U R STILTS & AVOCETS Blk-necked Stilt O O American Avocet F F F R* R* SANDPIPERS, PHALAROPES & ALLIES Spotted Sandpiper F F F F F U U R Solitary Sandpiper U U U U U U U Wandering Tattler? Greater Yellowlegs C C C F F F O U R Willet F F R O Lesser Yellowlegs A A C F F U U C U Upland Sandpiper F F O R R O Eskimo Curlew Extirpated Extirpated Extirpated Whimbrel R O R R U C U E Long-billed Curlew Hudsonian Godwit U R R U U C R Marbled Godwit F F U U U Ruddy Turnstone C U U R U U A U Red Knot U U R U Sanderling C F F U F F O C F Semipalmated Sandpiper C C C U F U R C U Western Sandpiper 4 SANDPIPERS, PHALAROPES & ALLIES Least Sandpiper A C F F F U R C O White-rumped Sandpiper C F U U U R R C C Baird's Sandpiper C F U R U U R U U Pectoral Sandpiper C C C U C C R U R Purple Sandpiper R Dunlin C R F U R R C C Curlew Sandpiper Stilt Sandpiper F C F R U U U C Buff-breasted Sandpiper O R R U* U Ruff O Short-billed Dowitcher C C C F U U R C O Long-billed Dowitcher R U C U O Wilson's Snipe C C C C C C U C U American Woodcock U U R F F U Wilson's Phalarope C C U F F R R Red-necked Phalarope F F F R U U R C Red Phalarope O R U GULLS, TERNS & JAEGERS Blk-legged Kittiwake Ivory Gull O Sabine's Gull O O R U Bonaparte's Gull C F C C C A U C F Blk-headed Gull Little Gull O R Ross's Gull R* Laughing Gull Franklin's Gull A A C C C R O Blk-tailed Gull Mew Gull R R Ring-billed Gull A A A A A C R F U California Gull U U R U* U* Herring Gull C C C R C C C R C A C Thayer's Gull O O U U R Iceland Gull R* R* R* Lesser Blk-bked Gull O Slaty-bked Gull Glaucous-winged Gull 5 GULLS, TERNS & JAEGERS Glaucous Gull R O R O O U U U Great Blk-bked Gull O O Least Tern Caspian Tern F U F F C F R Blk Tern C C U F F R O White-winged Tern Common Tern C F C C C C R Arctic Tern O R U R A Forster's Tern C C C F F U Pomarine Jaeger R Parasitic Jaeger O O R F R Long-tailed Jaeger O U AUKS Dovekie Blk Guillemot R O Ancient Murrelet PIGEONS & DOVES Rock Pigeon A A A A U* U* U* U* O O Band-tailed Pigeon Eurasian Collared-Dove R R R R White-winged Dove ¹ ¹ Mourning Dove C C C R F F F E Passenger Pigeon Extinct Extinct Extinct CUCKOOS E Yellow-billed Cuckoo O Blk-billed Cuckoo U U O U U O BARN OWLS Barn Owl TYPICAL OWLS Eastern Screech-Owl U U U U Great Horned Owl F F F F F F F F R R R O Snowy Owl F F F U U U U R U U Northern Hawk Owl O R R R R R R O R Burrowing Owl R* R* R* Barred Owl R R R R U U U U Great Gray Owl R O R R U U U U O Long-eared Owl U U U U U U O 6
TYPICAL OWLS Short-eared Owl U U U R U U U U F U Boreal Owl R R U R R R O Northern Saw-whet Owl U U U O F U R GOATSUCKERS Common Nighthawk F F U U F U O Whip-poor-will U U O F F O SWIFTS Chimney Swift F* F* R* R* R* HUMMINGBIRDS Ruby-throated Hummingbird U U U U U U Broad-tailed Hummingbird Rufous Hummingbird KINGFISHERS Belted Kingfisher U U U U U U WOODPECKERS Lewis's Woodpecker Red-headed Woodpecker U U R O R R R? Red-bellied Woodpecker O O O Yellow-bellied Sapsucker F F F F F F Downy Woodpecker F F F F F F F F Hairy Woodpecker F F F F F F F F R* Am. Three-toed Woodpecker O O O U U U U U U R R Blk-bked Woodpecker O R R U U U U R Northern Flicker C F C R C C C O R U R Pileated Woodpecker U U U U U U U U FLYCATCHERS Olive-sided Flycatcher U U U U F R O Western Wood-Pewee R* R* R* U* Eastern Wood-Pewee U F U U F R Yellow-bellied Flycatcher U U U R U R Alder Flycatcher F F U C C R U Willow Flycatcher U* U* Least Flycatcher C C F C C U Eastern Phoebe F F U F F U Say's Phoebe U* U* O Great Crested Flycatcher F F R F F Western Kingbird C C U U* U* R Eastern Kingbird C C F F F U O Scissor-tailed Flycatcher SHRIKES Loggerhead Shrike R* R* O O O O Northern Shrike U U U U U U U U U U VIREOS White-eyed Vireo Yellow-throated Vireo U U R O O Blue-headed Vireo F U F F F U Warbling Vireo C C R U U R Philadelphia Vireo U R U U U U Red-eyed Vireo F A F F A F JAYS, MAGPIES & CROWS Gray Jay R* R* U U C C C C U U U U Blue Jay C C C C C C C C Western Scrub-Jay Pinyon Jay Clark's Nutcrker Blk-billed Magpie F F F F U U U U American Crow C C C U C C C R R U R Common Raven F F F F C C C C C C C C LARKS Horned Lark C C C U C U F O C F C SWALLOWS Purple Martin F F U U U R Tree Swallow C C U C C U U* U* Violet-green Swallow N. Rough-winged Swallow U U O U* U* ¹ ¹ Bank Swallow C C U F F R R Cliff Swallow C C U C C U O Barn Swallow C C C C C F R CHICKADEES Blk-capped Chickadee C C C C C C C C O Boreal Chickadee O U U U U U U U U U R NUTHATCHES & CREEPERS Red-breasted Nuthatch F F F U F F F U White-breasted Nuthatch F F F F U U U U Brown Creeper F F R U U U O O 7 8 WRENS Rock Wren O Carolina Wren House Wren C C F F F U Winter Wren U U F F U Sedge Wren C C U F F U Marsh Wren C C F F F U KINGLETS & GNATCATCHERS Golden-crowned Kinglet F R F R F F F R Ruby-crowned Kinglet C F C C F C R U Blue-gray Gnatcatcher THRUSHES Northern Wheatear O Eastern Bluebird U U U U U U Mountain Bluebird U* U* U* R* R* O Townsend's Solitaire O O O Veery F F R C C R Gray-cheeked Thrush U U U F F U U Swainson's Thrush C C C C C C O Hermit Thrush C U* C F F F R Wood Thrush O O American Robin A A A R C C C O U C U? Varied Thrush O R R O O MIMIC THRUSHES Gray Catbird C C C F F U O Northern Mockingbird R R R R O O Sage Thrasher Brown Thrasher F F U O U U R R Curve-billed Thrasher ¹ ¹ ¹ STARLINGS European Starling C C C F F F F U U* U* U* O* PIPITS American Pipit F F F R F C U* C Sprague's Pipit U U R R* R* WAXWINGS Bohemian Waxwing C C C F U C C R U R Cedar Waxwing F C C U F C C O 9 WARBLERS Blue-winged Warbler Golden-winged Warbler U U O U U Tennessee Warbler A C C A C C U Orange-crowned Warbler C U C F F F O F O Nashville Warbler C F F C C C Northern Parula R R R U U R Yellow Warbler A A U C C U C Chestnut-sided Warbler F F U C C U Magnolia Warbler F U F C C F O Cape May Warbler F U U F F F? Blk-throated Blue Warbler O O Yellow-rumped Warbler A U A A C C R F U Blk-throated Gray Warbler Blk-throated Green Warbler U U U F F U Blkburnian Warbler F U U F F U Yellow-throated Warbler Pine Warbler O O U* U* R* Prairie Warbler Palm Warbler C R C C F F R Bay-breasted Warbler F U F U F U Blkpoll Warbler C U C C C C C O Cerulean Warbler Blk-and-white Warbler C F U F F F American Redstart C F C C C C Prothonotary Warbler Worm-eating Warbler Swainson's Warbler Ovenbird C F F C C U Northern Waterthrush C U C U U U O C Kentucky Warbler Connecticut Warbler U U R F F Mourning Warbler F F R C C O Common Yellowthroat C C C C C C O Hooded Warbler Wilson's Warbler F U U F F U R Canada Warbler U U U U U O Yellow-breasted Chat O 10
TANAGERS Summer Tanager O O Scarlet Tanager U U R U U O Western Tanager O O O SPARROWS Green-tailed Towhee ¹ ¹? Spotted Towhee R R Eastern Towhee U U U O R* R* American Tree Sparrow F F O F F F C A C Chipping Sparrow C C C C C F R Clay-colored Sparrow C C U F F U O Brewer's Sparrow Field Sparrow O O O O O Vesper Sparrow C C F U U R Lark Sparrow U U O Lark Bunting R I Savannah Sparrow A A A C C C U A R Grasshopper Sparrow U U O* O* Baird's Sparrow R R O Extirpated Le Conte's Sparrow F F U F F U O Nelson's Sharp-tailed Sparrow U F U* U* U Fox Sparrow F F O F U F U F R Song Sparrow C C C C C F R U Lincoln's Sparrow F R* F F F F R U Swamp Sparrow F U F F F F R U R White-throated Sparrow C U C R A A C O R U R Harris's Sparrow F O F O F F F O U U R White-crowned Sparrow F F O F F F C A U Golden-crowned Sparrow Dark-eyed Junco A R A U A C A R U U R McCown's Longspur Lapland Longspur A A U C R C A F A Smith's Longspur U U R U* R O U Chestnut-collared Longspur F* F* R? Snow Bunting A A C C C F A F A CARDINALS & ALLIES Northern Cardinal R R R R O Rose-breasted Grosbeak F F U F F R? Blk-headed Grosbeak O O Lazuli Bunting O O Indigo Bunting F F O F F O Dickcissel I BLACKBIRDS Bobolink F F U U U R Red-winged Blkbird A A A R C C C O R R Eastern Meadowlark Western Meadowlark C C C O F F F O Yellow-headed Blkbird C C C O F F R O Rusty Blkbird F F R F U F U U F Brewer's Blkbird C C C O F F R Common Grkle C C C R C C C R O Brown-headed Cowbird C C R F F R R Orchard Oriole F F Baltimore Oriole C C U F F R NORTHERN FINCHES Brambling Gray-crowned Rosy-Finch Pine Grosbeak U U U F R C C U U U Purple Finch F R U R F F F O House Finch U U U U U* U* U* R* Red Crossbill R R R R R R R R O? White-winged Crossbill I I I I I I I I I I I I Common Redpoll C C C C F C C C C C R Hoary Redpoll U U U U U U U F F F U Pine Siskin F U F U C C C R O American Goldfinch C A C U F F F O Evening Grosbeak U R U U F F F F OLD WORLD SPARROWS House Sparrow A A A A F F F F U* U* U* U* Eurasian Tree Sparrow ¹ ¹ ¹ ¹ 11 12 NOTES: