Description and ecology
The Wood Thrush (Hylocichla mustelina) is a large migratory songbird (20 cm long). It is a member of the True Thrush Family, Turdidae. The Wood Thrush is the only species of Hylocichla in the world, this genus is thus termed a monospecific genus by evolutionary ecologists. In
Eastern Bluebird
Description and ecology
Eastern Bluebirds (Sialia sialis) are medium-sized (~18 cm) songbirds in the True Thrush Family (Turdidae). It is one of 3 species in North America – the other two species, the Western Bluebird (Sialia mexicana), and Mountain Bluebird (Sialia currucoides) occur in the Rocky Mountain Region of Western
Eastern Meadowlark
Description and ecology
Eastern Meadowlarks (Sturnella magna) are large (~25 cm) songbirds in the American Blackbird Family (Icteridae). It is the only Meadowlark species regularly observed in Ontario. Meadowlarks are typically found in tallgrass prairies, meadows, and shrublands – their preferred breeding habitat. Further north in Ontario, in Bruce County,
Baltimore Oriole
Description and ecology
Baltimore Orioles (Icterus galbula) are large (~20 cm) migratory songbirds in the American Blackbird Family (Icteridae). Ontario has two native Oriole species, both of which breed in Ontario. The Orchard Oriole (Icterus spurius) is more localized in distribution, found in the southern Great Lakes Region, especially the
Indigo Bunting
Description and Ecology
Indigo Buntings (Passerina cyanea) are medium-sized (~14 cm) migratory songbirds in the Cardinal Family (Cardinalidae). Ontario has three native Bunting species, the Indigo Bunting, Blue Grosbeak (Passerina caerulea) and Painted Bunting (Passerina ciris). Of these, only the Indigo Bunting breeds regularly in Ontario. The other two species
Scarlet Tanager
Description and Ecology
Scarlet Tanagers (Piranga olivacea) are large (~18 cm) migratory songbirds in the Cardinal Family (Cardinalidae). Ontario has two native Tanager species. The Summer Tanager (Piranga rubra) is typically observed as a migratory vagrant at birding hotspots, such as Long Point, Pelee, and Rondeau along Lake Erie. These
American Sycamore (Planetree)
Description and habitat
American Sycamore (Platanus occidentalis) is a large deciduous tree in the Sycamore (Platanaceae) Family, reaching up to 40 m tall at maturity, forming a broad, spreading crown. Old American sycamores often have massive thick trunks, often >1 m in diameter. The term “Sycamore” refers to a very
White Elm
Description and habitat
White Elm or American Elm (Ulmus americana) is a large deciduous tree in the Walnut Family (Juglandaceae), reaching up to 40 m tall at maturity, forming a broad, vase-shaped crown with hanging branches. It is one of Ontario’s three native elm species – the others being Slippery
Blue Ash
Description and habitat
Blue Ash (Fraxinus quadrangulata) is a riparian tree species widely distributed across the Long Point Basin. Similarly to Ontario’s other ash species, Blue Ash can attain a height of 25 m or more in ideal growing conditions. It is one of five species of ash in the Long
Hackberry
Description and Habitat
The Long Point Region has among the most biodiverse floral assemblage in Canada, including many southern vegetation communities. One of these southern tree species is the Common Hackberry (Celtis occidentalis), a large tree primarily of floodplains in the hemp family (Cannabaceae). There are two species of Hackberry