Canvasback at Col Sam Smith Park: November 13, 2020

The park was abuzz this morning with keen birdwatchers looking for a reported White-eyed Vireo:

White-eyed Vireo (photo: allaboutbirds.com)

We didn’t find the vireo, but did spot a very occasional visitor to the Toronto area; a Canvasback.

Canvasback (male)

The Canvasback is essentially a prairie breeder.

Canvasback (male)

In Ontario we look for it in migration.

Canvasback (male)

The long sloping head and bill profile is diagnostic.

Canvasback (male)

The very white back separates it from the somewhat similarly coloured Redhead at a distance.

Redhead (male)
Canvasback (male)
Canvasback (male)
Canvasback (male) photo: Judy Cazemier

Another highly sought after November bird here is the Snow Bunting. We were fortunate in having a brief look at one.

Snow Bunting
Snow Bunting
Snow Bunting (photo: Judy Cazemier)

For the second day in a row, a Cooper’s Hawk made an appearance.

Cooper’s Hawk
Cooper’s Hawk
Cooper’s Hawk
Cooper’s Hawk
Cooper’s Hawk

Other birds:

Mourning Dove
Mourning Dove
Gadwall
Gadwall (female)
Mallard (male)
Bufflehead (female)
Bufflehead (male)
Bufflehead (male)
American Black Duck
Ring-billed Gull
European Starling
European Starling
Mute Swan
Mute Swan
Red-breasted Mergansers
Red-necked Grebe
Horned Grebe

Species list: mute swan, red-necked grebe, horned grebe, Canada goose, mallard, gadwall, American black duck, American wigeon, canvasback, red-breasted merganser, long-tailed duck, bufflehead, ring-billed gull, red-tailed hawk, Cooper’s hawk, mourning dove, black-capped chickadee, American robin, house sparrow, northern cardinal, European starling, snow bunting, American tree sparrow, dark-eyed junco, white-throated sparrow.  (25 species)

Park views:

Witch Hazel (Hamamelis virginiana)
Oriental Bittersweet (Celastrus orbiculatus)

I photographed this cat at the park this morning but it has both eyes:

Today’s group:

NATURE POETRY

The white chrysanthemums and asters star
The frosty silence.                                                               – Alice Wellington Rollins (1847–97)

Miles Hearn

3 thoughts on “Canvasback at Col Sam Smith Park: November 13, 2020

  1. Lisa Volkov

    Terrific birds (we keep meeting new ones!), ducks, etc. (I keep wondering if “ducks” are considered “birds”. I suppose they are, they are “water birds” (?), but I’ll look it up to make sure. I feel like a complete fool. I can’t believe I’m confused about this! I keep mentioning them separately, just in case.) I’m sorry about the missing cat, of course. Beautiful scenery!

    Yes, I looked it up. They are birds…I’ll probably continue to mention them separately, anyway!

    Reply
  2. Gloria James

    I’m just curious about the mourning dove. Actually I thought it was named “morning dove” because that was when it was most active.

    Reply
  3. Gloria James

    I’m just curious about the mourning dove. Actually I thought it was named “morning dove” because that was when it was usually the time it was most visible and active.

    Reply

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