Rare breeding birds

Species at risk that have been observed in the Grand River watershed are listed below.

Latin name: Haliaeetus leucocephalus
Description: Juveniles are black or dark brown in their first year. Birds aged 2-4 years old are brown with flecks of white in their wings, head, and tail. Adults have a full white head and tail, and dark brown body.
Habitat: Most commonly seen along the Grand River and its major tributaries, as well as large reservoirs where prey is abundant. Adults and sub-adults hunt fish, waterfowl, and gulls. Adults build nests in large trees such as white pine and cottonwood poplar.
Hotspots: Dunnville Marsh, Luther Marsh, and middle portions of the Grand River Valley between Kitchener and Brantford
Status: Special Concern in Ontario
Threats: Illegal shooting, habitat alteration or destruction, and bioaccumulation of pesticides, mercury, and lead continue to threaten this species.
Photo: Lara Fox

Latin name: Chlidonias niger
Description: Breeding adults have a distinctive black head and body, and a dark gray wings. Juveniles have gray-brown feathers in the wings, white cheeks and underparts, and a dark skullcap.
Habitat: Found in large coastal and inland marshes, wet meadows, and ponds
Hotspot: Luther Marsh
Status: Special concern in Ontario
Threats: Declines are mainly the result of the loss, alteration, or degradation of wetland habitat. Threats include the invasion and spread of exotic plants, draining of wetlands, water pollution, and human disturbance of nesting colonies, particularly waves caused by boat traffic, which can swamp floating nests.
Photo: Allen Woodliffe

Latin name: Podiceps auritus
Description: A small grebe with a small head, short bill, and distinct red eye. Breeding birds have a brick red neck and body, and dark gray head adorned with a distinct yellow-orange tuft of feathers behind the eyes. Wintering or non-breeding birds have a black head and sharply constrasting white cheeks, gray back, and gray-white underparts.
Habitat: Found on larger lakes and rivers
Hotspots: Larger reservoirs, lakes, and rivers throughout the watershed during spring and fall migration. A late fall migrant.
Status: Special concern in Ontario and Canada
Threats: Populations in decline due to permanent loss of wetlands. Widespread and recurring periods of drought across the prairie provinces have had a significant negative impact on this species.
Photo: Kevin Tupman

Latin name: Ixobrychus exilis
Description: A small buff-colored heron with a relatively long neck and legs
Habitat: Nests in freshwater and brackish marshes, usually containing a mix of emergent vegetation (e.g. cattails) and open water
Hotspots: Dunnville Marsh (Haldimand County), Grass Lake (Region of Waterloo), and Luther Marsh (Dufferin and Wellington Counties)
Status: Threatened in Ontario and Canada
Threats: The draining or filling of wetlands, and habitat degradation caused by invasive species and human activity threatens this species.
Photo: Bill Dyer

Latin name: Protonotaria citrea
Description: A relatively large, plump, short-tailed, and long-billed warbler with large, dark prominent eyes, a bright yellow head, chest, and belly, and blue-gray wings.
Habitat: Generally breeds in large and mature deciduous swamps and forests. Dark swamps containing standing water and scattered dead tree stumps are preferred.
Hotspot: Brant County
Status: Endangered in Ontario and Canada
Threats: Loss or alteration of both wintering and breeding habitat is the largest threat to this species.
Photo: Anthony E. Zammit

Latin name: Melanerpes erythrocephalus
Description: A medium-sized woodpecker with a full red head, large white patches on black wings, and a white body
Habitat: Prefers deciduous forests and woodland edges, and typically nests in large, decadent trees that are decaying or dead
Hotspots: Central Grand River watershed, including Brant County, City of Hamilton, Waterloo Region, and Wellington County
Status: Special concern in Ontario and Canada
Threats: Habitat loss due in part to land use practices and natural succession, specifically the removal of dead nesting trees threatens this species.
Photo: Anthony E. Zammit