Between towering skyscrapers and growing subdivisions, Calgary boasts an abundance of thick forests, thriving wetlands and winding rivers, making our bustling city also home to many different kinds of wildlife. For decades, birdwatching has been a popular pastime for nature enthusiasts, as our feathery friends migrate, nest and breed right here in our neighbourhoods.
We can’t help but curiously observe the patterns and behaviours of local birds while they take refuge in our parks, greenspaces, pathways and even backyards. Human-animal encounters are inevitable when you share the same space, so it’s about understanding how we can co-exist peacefully together.
Whether the next time you’re out for an afternoon adventure or you’re actively birdwatching, here are our top tips for bird-friendly practices and our 13 favourite parks to catch a glimpse of different local species.
When You See Birds In Nature, Remember These Bird-Friendly Practices…
- Stay on designated trails: Stick to established paths to avoid trampling sensitive habitats and nesting areas.
- Keep a respectful distance: Use binoculars or spotting scopes to observe birds without disturbing them. Getting too close can cause stress and disrupt natural behaviours.
- Avoid disturbing nests: Never approach or touch bird nests, eggs or chicks. Keep a safe distance and use binoculars if you want to observe nesting behaviour.
- Keep noise to a minimum: Loud sounds can startle birds and disrupt their activities. Keep conversations quiet and avoid sudden movements.
- Share photos, not locations: If you spot birds out in the wild, don’t share their exact location with others. More traffic could disrupt their nests or natural behaviours
- Respect restricted areas: Observe any posted signs or regulations regarding protected areas or restricted-access zones.
- Do not feed wild birds: Feeding birds can disrupt their natural foraging behaviours and could introduce invasive species or diseases. Leave birds to find their own food sources.
- Dispose of trash properly: Always pack out your trash and any litter you spot to prevent pollution and potential harm to wildlife.
- Avoid using playback or recordings: Playing recorded bird calls or songs to attract birds can disrupt their natural behaviour, cause unnecessary stress, and interfere with communication.
- Minimize your impact: Reduce your carbon footprint, use sustainable practices, and support conservation efforts to take care of the environment.
- Share your knowledge: Respectfully educate others and beginners about ethical birdwatching practices and why preserving bird habitats matters.
Want to leave the space even better than you found it? Read 7 Leave No Trace Principles to preserve nature and the incredible animals that call it home.
Practice Birdwatching In These 13 Calgary Parks
Whether you’re already into birdwatching or you want to learn more about our feathery friends, Calgary sees hundreds of species annually. Since they can fly anywhere they please, you’ll find birds in all corners, parks and trees of the city. So when you’re out and about in parks of Calgary, see what you can spot in these local greenspaces.
Note — The following information from calgary.ca and ebird.org educates us on what species MAY be found in and around Calgary. Sightings are not guaranteed, as these animals are wild. To protect and conserve birds, don’t reveal their exact location if you spot them while you’re out exploring, or birdwatching.
1) Beaver Dam Flats
Along the Bow River’s eastern banks, birders often see diving ducks (like common goldeneyes and buffleheads), dabbling ducks (like mallards and blue-winged teals), and even the rare bald eagle here. Throughout the 43-hectare greenspace, woodpeckers, nuthatches and chickadees inhabit the forest of poplars, while blackbirds, kingbirds and catbirds are found in the lower brush.
2) Carburn Park
With two aquatic habitats, the Bow River and several ponds containing fish, this park attracts many different species, including belted kingfishers and great blue herons. Along the river, it’s common to spot diving ducks like the common goldeneye and buffleheads. Fun fact: In 2022, the province’s first chimney swift was seen foraging in this park.
3) Confederation Park
Nestled in Calgary’s northwest, this 160-hectare park complete with a small creek and winding wetland provides shelter for birds and other wildlife. Here, you may find dabbling ducks, like mallards and blue-winged teals, along with a healthy number of Canadian geese and multiple species of gulls.
4) Douglas Fir Trail, West Of Edworthy Park
The coniferous forest located above the Bow River provides the perfect habitat for many birds and small mammals. Look around and you might spot cone-eating ruby-crowned, golden-crowned kinglets, gulls, waxwings, swallows and more flitting around the trees.
5) Elliston Park
Located in Calgary’s deep southeast is Elliston Park’s stormwater retention pond, attracting waterbirds like mallards, gulls, geese, grebes and mergansers, as well as finches and kinglets in the surrounding trees.
6) Fish Creek Provincial Park
Surrounded by meadows and forests, the ecological and natural reserves in Fish Creek Park provide refuge for many different birds. So far, over 200 species have been observed in the park throughout the years! Visit the Fish Creek bird checklist to see what’s been recorded in this Calgary park.
7) Weaselhead Flats
This diverse habitat is home to a wide range of birds. In the open waters, spotting loons, geese and swans is common. While along the shores and sandbars, you can find lesser yellow legs and American avocets. The thick forests provide shelter for red and white-winged crossbills, as well as several species of hummingbirds in Alberta — calliope, rufous and ruby-throated.
8) Griffith Woods
With 93-hectares of mostly natural environment, this park has been visited by over 200 recorded bird species — including northern flickers, blue jays, barred & great horned owls, kingfishers and even killdeer. However, not just birds call this park home — moose, deer, coyotes and even black bears have been spotted here, so always be on alert.
9) Inglewood Bird Sanctuary
Over 270 species of birds have been spotted in this natural area since it opened, so you’re likely to spot wildlife here (especially since it’s a protected area). From woodpeckers and ducks to deer and geese, the list of potential animal sightings could go on and on. If you decide to visit, remember: No bicycles or dogs are allowed on-site.
10) Nose Hill Park
A mix of trees, shrubs and open grassland, Nose Hill is a thriving habitat for large and small mammals — the smaller of which usually end up as prey for the northern harrier’s and Swainson’s hawks that lurk above in the skies. You may also find several sparrow species, ravens, crows, waxwings and more when you explore here.
11) 12 Mile Coulee
The endless grasslands and treed areas along this northwest coulee provide the perfect home for chickadees throughout all seasons. The trembling aspens and balsam poplars provide cover for woodpeckers, nuthatches, as well as species of warblers and vireos. You might even see different raptors in the skies, like Swainson’s hawks and northern harriers, seeking their next meal.
12) Ralph Klein Park
Constructed to improve stormwater quality before it enters the Bow River, this park remains the largest treatment wetland in Canada. During its initial assessment, over 46 species of birds were identified. Today, over 150 species have been spotted in the area, including Canadian geese, mallards and gulls.
13) Pearce Estate Park
Along the Bow River in southeast Calgary lies 15 hectares of reconstructed wetland that also lays home to the Sam Livingston Fish Hatchery and the Bow Habitat Visitor Centre. With a mix of forests, ponds and rivers, you might see white-breasted nuthatches and gray catbirds. The old balsam poplars on site have many cavities, attracting tree swallows and northern flickers.
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