The Bird is the Word: Black-capped Chickadee chosen as Calgary’s official bird

The City of Calgary has just announced the official bird of Calgary: the Black-capped Chickadee.

On World Migratory Bird Day, we’re proud to present the Black-capped Chickadee as our new official Bird of Calgary, with 44% of the vote.

Congratulations to our big (little) winner! pic.twitter.com/cPNfHCL1G6

— Calgary Parks (@CalgaryParks) May 14, 2022

The Black Capped Chickadee has captured almost 44 per cent and won the majority of the 36,000 votes tallied in a month-long contest.

The Magpie came in second.

The city made the announcement in partnership with Nature Canada and Bird Friendly Calgary.

Councilor Corrine Eagletail-Frazer of the Tsuut’ina First Nation was on hand for the announcement of Calgary’s official bird.

She says the Chickadee is a beautiful representation of Calgary because they are very active and friendly birds.

As well Eagletail-Frazer says it’s an important reminder for people to connect to nature.

“I was brought up traditionally with my father and he used to tell us stories of the past. He said that a long time ago, First Nations used to communicate with everything and all living creatures, the birds and the animals, they used to communicate and that’s how they knew if there were storms coming or if there was danger coming, the birds would warn them,” she said.

“The relationship that they had was so important because it guided the people.”

Eagletail-Frazer says having an official bird encourages people to pay more attention to the environment around them.

“When the tsunami happens in some countries all the birds – everything fled – before it came and if the people were in tune they would see they were all in danger so we need to get out,” said Eagletail.

Ward 11 Councilor Kourtney Penner spearheaded the bird vote and says Calgarians were quite divided on this issue but really got involved in the voting process.

“An overwhelming number of Calgarians engaged on the portal and voted for their bird and some of the highest engagement numbers we’ve seen on any issue or any topic which is just really wonderful to see,” said Penner.

Penner acknowledges that there were a lot of people hoping the Magpie would win and couldn’t say if an official recount would be called.

The Magpie came in second. Apparently more people participated the voting process for this than almost any other public engagement surveys. pic.twitter.com/kz6HNN3izz

— Haley Jarmain (@HJarmain) May 14, 2022

The Black-capped Chickadee bird has a round head, and tiny body and is considered to be curious, friendly, and social.

It is found mostly in deciduous and mixed forests, cottonwood groves, parks, and backyards and excels at insect and spider control.

In the fall and wintertime, the Chickadee’s brain enlarges so they can remember where they hid their thousands of seeds, which are found often under tree barks, in tall hollow stems, and in clusters of pine needles.

And so these birds can remember the location of the seeds a month after they have cached them, according to the City of Calgary.

Calgary is home to more than 200 bird species. In 2021, Calgary became one of Canada’s certified Nature Canada Bird-Friendly Cities alongside Vancouver, Toronto, and London.

Nature Canada developed this official designation to recognize and celebrate contributions municipalities make to save bird lives and set the standard of what makes space for birds to thrive.

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Read More:

• Calgary’s official designated bird to be chosen this weekend

• Motion aims to name official bird for Calgary

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The city says the certification’s aim is to mitigate threats to birds, support habitat and maintenance and restoration, and increase community outreach and education.

For example, reducing the numbers of birds that strike windows, advocating for public support in reducing roaming cars, and creating and enacting policies that support birds and other wildlife.

Bird Friendly Calgary is a non-profit and volunteer-run organization made up of Calgarians from local environmental organizations and those who are interested in birds and biodiversity.

–With files from Haley Jarmain and Camae Marayag