10 most beautiful birds in Vancouver
This is a list of top 10 most beautiful birds in Vancouver, with their photos. Vancouver, being a mild temperature city, has a lot of beautiful birds year round. They are either permanent residents of the city or are on their way to their migration destinations. If you are interested in birds, you can find information and photos of other birds, big or small, on my flora and fauna page.
#10 Northern Flicker
The Northern Flicker (Colaptes auratus) is a striking and charismatic woodpecker species found throughout North America. Known for its distinctive appearance, this medium-sized bird displays a combination of vibrant colors and unique markings. The Northern Flicker has a brownish-gray plumage with a prominent black crescent on its chest. Its most eye-catching feature is its striking spotted or barred pattern on its back and wings, which provides effective camouflage against tree bark.
#9 Common Yellowthroat
This small warbler is easily identified by its striking appearance. They feature a vibrant yellow throat and breast set against an olive-green or grayish-brown body. Adult males showcase a bold black mask that covers their eyes and contrasts sharply with the bright yellow plumage.
#8 Golden-crowned Kinglet
Golden-crowned Kinglet is easily recognizable by its striking head pattern. They feature a bright yellow-orange crown bordered by black stripes, giving the impression of a golden crown. The rest of its plumage is predominantly olive-green, providing effective camouflage in the dense foliage where it typically forages for tiny insects and spiders. Despite its small size, the Golden-crowned Kinglet is known for its energetic and acrobatic movements, often hovering while searching for prey and frequently flashing its golden crown.
#7 Belted Kingfisher
Sporting a bold and striking appearance, Belted Kingfishers feature a slate-blue and white plumage with a distinctive band or “belt” of bluish-gray across their chest. With a shaggy crest on their head, robust bills, and a stocky build, belted kingfishers are well-adapted for their specialized hunting technique of diving headfirst into the water to catch fish. Often perched on branches or wires overlooking bodies of water, they emit a series of loud, rattling calls that resonate across their territory.
#6 Red-breasted Sapsucker
The Red-breasted Sapsucker (Sphyrapicus ruber) is a distinctive and medium-sized woodpecker found in western North America. Its name is derived from the bright red patch on its breast, which contrasts sharply with its black and white plumage. Recognizable by its unique appearance, this sapsucker has a boldly patterned face with a white stripe running through its eye and a red crown on its head. As its name suggests, the Red-breasted Sapsucker is known for its feeding behavior, creating neat rows of small sap wells on trees and feeding on both sap and insects attracted to the sticky substance. Their rhythmic drumming and mewing calls resonate through the coniferous and mixed forests where they are commonly found, adding to the auditory richness of their woodland habitats.
#5 American Goldfinch
The American Goldfinch (Spinus tristis) is a charming and easily recognizable songbird that graces the landscapes of North America. During the breeding season, males don a vibrant yellow plumage with striking black wings and cap, creating a vivid and eye-catching appearance. In contrast, females and non-breeding males display more subdued olive-green tones, providing effective camouflage among the foliage. Their distinctive, undulating flight patterns and cheerful, twittering calls make them a joy to observe. American Goldfinches are often found in fields, meadows, and gardens where they feed on a diet primarily consisting of seeds, especially thistle and sunflower seeds. As the seasons change, so does their plumage, with winter bringing a more muted, olive-brown hue.
#4 Cedar Waxwing
The Cedar Waxwing (Bombycilla cedrorum) is a sleek and elegant songbird, known for its silky plumage and distinctive markings. With a predominantly brownish-gray body, the Cedar Waxwing features a black mask across its eyes and a vibrant crest on its head. One of its most striking features is the sleek, wax-like red tips on its secondary feathers, adding a touch of brilliance to its appearance. These birds are often seen in flocks, perched in trees or engaged in acrobatic flight as they catch insects on the wing. Their diet primarily consists of fruit, and they are particularly fond of berries, often swallowing them whole. The Cedar Waxwing’s soft, high-pitched trilling calls contribute to the melodious chorus of their surroundings.
#3 Pileated Woodpecker
The Pileated Woodpecker (Dryocopus pileatus) is an impressive and large woodpecker species native to North America. Recognizable by its striking appearance, the Pileated Woodpecker boasts bold black and white plumage, a prominent red crest on its head, and distinctive white stripes down its neck and face. With a wingspan of up to 30 inches, it is one of the largest woodpeckers in North America. Often found in mature forests with large trees, these skilled excavators use their powerful bills to create rectangular-shaped holes in search of carpenter ants and other insects. Their deep, resonant drumming and loud, distinctive calls echo through the woods, marking their presence. Despite their large size, Pileated Woodpeckers are surprisingly elusive, blending into the forest canopy while contributing to the rich biodiversity of North American woodlands.
#2 Steller’s Jay
Steller’s Jay (Cyanocitta stelleri) is a striking and charismatic bird native to western North America. Recognized for its vivid blue plumage, contrasting with its black head and distinctive crest, Steller’s Jays are visually captivating. These medium-sized corvids often inhabit coniferous forests and mountainous regions, showcasing their adaptability to diverse habitats. Their vocalizations include a variety of calls, from harsh screams to more melodious notes. The calls allow them to communicate effectively within their social groups. Steller’s Jays are opportunistic omnivores, consuming a varied diet that includes nuts, seeds, insects, and occasionally small vertebrates. Known for their intelligence, these jays have an affinity for caching food, often hiding excess supplies in trees or the ground for later consumption.
#1 Anna’s and Rufous Hummingbird
There are two types of Hummingbird can be found in Vancouver, Anna’s Hummingbird (Calypte anna) and Rufous Hummingbird (Selasphorus rufus). Anna’s Hummingbird, primarily found along the western coast, boasts iridescent emerald-green plumage. Male Anna’s Hummbingbirds exhibit a vibrant pink-red crown and throat patch. In contrast, Rufous Hummingbirds are characterized by their fiery orange-red plumage, with males displaying a dazzling orange throat. Both species are renowned for their remarkable agility in flight, hovering effortlessly while feeding on nectar from flowers. Their energetic and territorial nature often leads to dazzling aerial displays. While Anna’s Hummingbirds are known for year-round residency in certain regions, Rufous Hummingbirds are notable for their remarkable long-distance migrations, covering thousands of miles annually. The brilliance, agility, and migratory behaviors of Anna’s and Rufous Hummingbirds make them enchanting additions to North America’s diverse hummingbird fauna.
After seeing all 10 beautiful birds in Vancouver, if you want to see other birds with high quality photos, please visit my Vancouver bird photo page.