List of birds of Ontario - Wikipedia List of birds of Ontario The common loon is the official provincial bird of Ontario. This list of birds of Ontario includes all the bird species recorded in the Canadian province of Ontario as determined by the Ontario Bird Records Committee ( OBRC ). There are, as of April 2017, 495 species on this list, 291 of which are known to breed in the province. Ontario has a considerable variety of bird species. One of the factors in this diversity is the size and range of environments in Ontario. Another is the Great Lakes ; many birds use the shores as a stopping point during migration. The OBRC Checklist divides the province into the Lowlands, Central, and South review zones and requests documentation of sightings of birds which are rare or accidental in one, two, or all of the zones. Of the 495 species on the list, 167 are noted as rare anywhere in the province and another 108 are rare in one or two of the zones. Eight species have been introduced to North America. One species has been extirpated, one is extinct, and another might be. Only birds that are considered to have established, self - sustaining, wild populations are included on this list. This means that birds that are considered probable escapees, although they may have been sighted flying free, are not included. This list is presented in the taxonomic sequence of the Check - list of North American Birds, 7th edition through the 59th Supplement, published by the American Ornithological Society ( AOS ). Common and scientific names are also those of the Check - list. The following codes are used to categorise some species : ( A ) Accidental - rare or accidental anywhere in Ontario ( L ) Lowlands - rare or accidental in the Lowlands Review Zone ( C ) Central - rare or accidental in the Central Review Zone ( S ) South - rare or accidental in the South Review Zone ( I ) Introduced - established solely as result of direct or indirect human intervention ; synonymous with non-native and non-indigenous ( E ) Extinct -- a recent species that no longer exists ( Ex ) Extirpated -- a species that no longer occurs in Ontario, but populations still exist elsewhere Contents 1 Ducks, geese, and waterfowl 2 New World quail 3 Pheasants, grouse, and allies 4 Grebes 5 Pigeons and doves 6 Cuckoos and anis 7 Nightjars and allies 8 Swifts 9 Hummingbirds 10 Rails, gallinules, and coots 11 Cranes 12 Stilts and avocets 13 Oystercatchers 14 Plovers and lapwings 15 Sandpipers and allies 16 Jaegers 17 Auks, murres, and puffins 18 Gulls, terns, and skimmers 19 Loons 20 Albatrosses 21 Southern storm - petrels 22 Northern storm - petrels 23 Shearwaters and petrels 24 Storks 25 Frigatebirds 26 Boobies and gannets 27 Cormorants 28 Anhingas 29 Pelicans 30 Bitterns, herons, and egrets 31 Ibises and spoonbills 32 New World vultures 33 Osprey 34 Hawks, kites, and eagles 35 Barn - owls 36 Typical owls 37 Kingfishers 38 Woodpeckers 39 Caracaras and falcons 40 Tyrant flycatchers 41 Shrikes 42 Vireos 43 Jays, crows, magpies, and ravens 44 Larks 45 Swallows and martins 46 Chickadees and titmice 47 Nuthatches 48 Treecreepers 49 Wrens 50 Gnatcatchers 51 Kinglets 52 Old World flycatchers 53 Thrushes 54 Mockingbirds and thrashers 55 Starlings 56 Waxwings 57 Silky - flycatchers 58 Old World sparrows 59 Wagtails and pipits 60 Finches 61 Longspurs and snow buntings 62 New World sparrows 63 Yellow - breasted chat 64 Icterids 65 Wood - warblers 66 Cardinals and allies 67 References 68 See also Ducks, geese, and waterfowl Canada goose Mute swan Greater scaup Common eider Common goldeneye Hooded merganser Order : Anseriformes Family : Anatidae The family Anatidae includes ducks and most duck - like waterfowl, such as geese and swans. These birds are adapted to an aquatic existence with webbed feet, bills which are flattened to a greater or lesser extent, and feathers that are excellent at shedding water due to special oils. Black - bellied whistling - duck, Dendrocygna autumnalis ( A ) Fulvous whistling - duck, Dendrocygna bicolor ( A ) Snow goose, Anser caerulescens Ross 's goose, Anser rossii Greater white - fronted goose, Anser albifrons ( L ) Pink - footed goose, Anser brachyrhynchus ( A ) Brant, Branta bernicla Barnacle goose, Branta leucopsis ( A ) Cackling goose, Branta hutchinsii Canada goose, Branta canadensis Mute swan, Cygnus olor ( I ) ( L ) ( C ) Trumpeter swan, Cygnus buccinator ( L ) Tundra swan, Cygnus columbianus Wood duck, Aix sponsa Garganey, Spatula querquedula ( A ) Blue - winged teal, Spatula discors Cinnamon teal, Spatula cyanoptera ( A ) Northern shoveler, Spatula clypeata Gadwall, Mareca strepera Eurasian wigeon, Mareca penelope ( L ) ( C ) American wigeon, Mareca americana Mallard, Anas fulvigula American black duck, Anas rubripes Mottled duck, Anas fulvigula ( A ) Northern pintail, Anas bahamensis Green - winged teal, Anas crecca Canvasback, Aythya valisineria Redhead, Aythya americana Ring - necked duck, Aythya collaris Tufted duck, Aythya fuligula ( A ) Greater scaup, Aythya marila Lesser scaup, Aythya affinis King eider, Somateria spectabilis Common eider, Somateria mollissima ( S ) Harlequin duck, Histrionicus histrionicus ( L ) ( C ) Surf scoter, Melanitta perspicillata White - winged scoter, Melanitta fusca Black scoter, Melanitta americana Long - tailed duck, Clangula hyemalis Bufflehead, Bucephala albeola Common goldeneye, Bucephala clangula Barrow 's goldeneye, Bucephala islandica ( L ) ( C ) Smew, Mergellus albellus ( A ) Hooded merganser, Lophodytes cucullatus Common merganser, Mergus merganser Red - breasted merganser, Mergus serrator Ruddy duck, Oxyura jamaicensis New World quail Order : Galliformes Family : Odontophoridae The New World quails are small, plump terrestrial birds only distantly related to the quails of the Old World, but named for their similar appearance and habits. Northern bobwhite, Colinus virginianus Pheasants, grouse, and allies Ruffed grouse Order : Galliformes Family : Phasianidae The Phasianidae is a family of birds which consists of pheasants, partridges, grouse, turkeys, and their allies. These are terrestrial species, variable in size but generally plump with broad relatively short wings. Many species are gamebirds or have been domesticated as a food source for humans. Gray partridge, Perdix perdix ( I ) ( C ) ( L ) Ring - necked pheasant, Phasianus colchicus ( I ) ( L ) Ruffed grouse, Bonasa umbellus Spruce grouse, Falcipennis canadensis Willow ptarmigan, Lagopus lagopus ( C ) ( S ) Rock ptarmigan, Lagopus muta ( A ) Sharp - tailed grouse, Tympanuchus phasianellus Greater prairie - chicken, Tympanuchus cupido ( A ) ( Ex ) Wild turkey, Meleagris gallopavo Grebes Horned grebe Order : Podicipediformes Family : Podicipedidae Grebes small to medium - large freshwater diving birds. They have lobed toes and are excellent swimmers and divers. However, they have their feet placed far back on the body, making them quite ungainly on land. Pied - billed grebe, Podilymbus podiceps Horned grebe, Podiceps auritus Red - necked grebe, Podiceps grisegena Eared grebe, Podiceps nigricollis ( L ) Western grebe, Aechmorphorus occidentalis ( A ) Pigeons and doves Mourning dove Order : Columbiformes Family : Columbidae Pigeons and doves are stout - bodied birds with short necks and short slender bills with a fleshy cere. Rock pigeon, Columba livia ( I ) Band - tailed pigeon, Patagioenas fasciata ( A ) Eurasian collared - dove, Streptopelia decaocto ( I ) ( A ) Passenger pigeon, Ectopistes migratorius ( E ) Inca dove, Columbina inca ( A ) Common ground - dove, Columbina passerina ( A ) White - winged dove, Zenaida asiatica ( A ) Mourning dove, Zenaida macroura Cuckoos and anis Yellow - billed cuckoo Order : Cuculiformes Family : Cuculidae The family Cuculidae includes cuckoos, roadrunners, and anis. These birds are of variable size with slender bodies, long tails, and strong legs. Yellow - billed cuckoo, Coccyzus americanus Black - billed cuckoo, Coccyzus erythropthalmus Groove - billed ani, Crotophaga sulcirostris ( A ) Nightjars and allies Common nighthawk Order : Caprimulgiformes Family : Caprimulgidae Nightjars are medium - sized ground - nesting nocturnal birds with long wings, short legs, and very short bills. Most have small feet, of little use for walking, and long pointed wings. Their soft plumage is camouflaged to resemble bark or leaves. Lesser nighthawk, Chordeiles acutipennis ( A ) Common nighthawk, Chordeiles minor Common poorwill, Phalaenoptilus nuttallii ( A ) Chuck - will 's - widow, Antrostomus carolinensis ( A ) Eastern whip - poor - will, Antrostomus vociferus Swifts Order : Apodiformes Family : Apodidae Swifts are small birds which spend the majority of their lives flying. These birds have very short legs and never settle voluntarily on the ground, perching instead only on vertical surfaces. Many swifts have long swept - back wings which resemble a crescent or boomerang. Black swift, Cypseloides niger ( A ) White - collared swift, Streptoprocne zonaris ( A ) Chimney swift, Chaetura pelagica ( L ) Hummingbirds Ruby - throated hummingbird Order : Apodiformes Family : Trochilidae Hummingbirds are small birds capable of hovering in mid-air due to the rapid flapping of their wings. They are the only birds that can fly backward. Mexican violetear, Colibri thalassinus ( A ) Ruby - throated hummingbird, Archilochus colubris Black - chinned hummingbird, Archilochus alexandri ( A ) Anna 's hummingbird, Calypte anna ( A ) Rufous hummingbird, Selasphorus rufus ( A ) Broad - billed hummingbird, Cynanthus latirostris ( A ) Rails, gallinules, and coots American coot Order : Gruiformes Family : Rallidae Rallidae is a large family of small to medium - sized birds which includes the rails, crakes, gallinules, and coots. The most typical family members occupy dense vegetation in damp environments near lakes, swamps, or rivers. In general, they are shy and secretive birds, making them difficult to observe. Most species have strong legs and long toes which are well adapted to soft uneven surfaces. They tend to have short, rounded wings and to be weak fliers. Yellow rail, Coturnicops noveboracensis Black rail, Laterallus jamaicensis ( A ) King rail, Rallus elegans Virginia rail, Rallus limicola Sora, Porzana carolina Purple gallinule, Porphyrio martinicus ( A ) Common gallinule, Gallinula galeata ( C ) American coot, Fulica americana ( L ) Cranes Order : Gruiformes Family : Gruidae Cranes are large, long - legged, and long - necked birds. Unlike the similar - looking but unrelated herons, cranes fly with necks outstretched, not pulled back. Most have elaborate and noisy courting displays or `` dances ''. Sandhill crane, Antigone canadensis Whooping crane, Grus americana ( A ) Stilts and avocets American avocet Order : Charadriiformes Family : Recurvirostridae Recurvirostridae is a family of large wading birds which includes the avocets and stilts. The avocets have long legs and long up - curved bills. The stilts have extremely long legs and long, thin, straight bills. Black - necked stilt, Himantopus mexicanus ( A ) American avocet, Recurvirostra americana ( L ) ( C ) Oystercatchers Order : Charadriiformes Family : Haematopodidae The oystercatchers are large, obvious and noisy plover - like birds, with strong bills used for smashing or prising open molluscs. American oystercatcher, Haematopus palliatus ( A ) Plovers and lapwings Killdeer Order : Charadriiformes Family : Charadriidae Charadriidae includes the plovers, dotterels, and lapwings. They are small to medium - sized birds with compact bodies, short thick necks, and long, usually pointed, wings. They are found in open country worldwide, mostly in habitats near water. Black - bellied plover, Pluvialis squatarola American golden - plover, Pluvialis dominica Lesser sand - plover, Charadrius mongolus ( A ) Snowy plover, Charadrius nivosus ( A ) Wilson 's plover, Charadrius wilsonia ( A ) Common ringed plover, Charadrius hiaticula ( S ) Semipalmated plover, Charadrius semipalmatus Piping plover, Charadrius melodus Killdeer, Charadrius vociferus Eurasian dotterel, Charadrius morinellus ( A ) Sandpipers and allies Willet Western sandpiper Dunlin Wilson 's snipe Red - necked phalarope Order : Charadriiformes Family : Scolopacidae Scolopacidae is a large diverse family of small to medium - sized shorebirds including the sandpipers, curlews, godwits, shanks, tattlers, woodcocks, snipes, dowitchers, and phalaropes. The majority of these species eat small invertebrates picked out of the mud or soil. Variation in length of legs and bills enables multiple species to feed in the same habitat, particularly on the coast, without direct competition for food. Upland sandpiper, Bartramia longicauda ( L ) Whimbrel, Numenius phaeopus Eskimo curlew, Numenius borealis ( A ) ( Possibly extinct ) Long - billed curlew, Numenius americanus ( A ) Slender - billed curlew, Numenius tenuirostris ( A ) Black - tailed godwit, Limosa limosa ( A ) Hudsonian godwit, Limosa haemastica Marbled godwit, Limosa fedoa Ruddy turnstone, Arenaria interpres Red knot, Calidris canutus Ruff, Calidris pugnax ( L ) Sharp - tailed sandpiper, Calidris acuminata ( A ) Stilt sandpiper, Calidris himantopus Curlew sandpiper, Calidris ferruginea ( A ) Sanderling, Calidris alba Dunlin, Calidris alpina Purple sandpiper, Calidris maritima ( C ) Baird 's sandpiper, Calidris bairdii Little stint, Calidris minuta ( A ) Least sandpiper, Calidris minutilla White - rumped sandpiper, Calidris fuscicollis Buff - breasted sandpiper, Calidris subruficollis Pectoral sandpiper, Calidris melanotos Semipalmated sandpiper, Calidris pusilla Western sandpiper, Calidris mauri ( L ) ( C ) Short - billed dowitcher, Limnodromus griseus Long - billed dowitcher, Limnodromus scolopaceus American woodcock, Scolopax minor Wilson 's snipe, Gallinago delicata Spotted sandpiper, Actitis macularia Solitary sandpiper, Tringa solitaria Wandering tattler, Tringa incana ( A ) Lesser yellowlegs, Tringa flavipes Willet, Tringa semipalmata ( L ) ( C ) Spotted redshank, Tringa erythropus ( A ) Greater yellowlegs, Tringa melanoleuca Wilson 's phalarope, Phalaropus tricolor Red - necked phalarope, Phalaropus lobatus Red phalarope, Phalaropus fulicarius ( C ) Jaegers Order : Charadriiformes Family : Stercorariidae The family Stercorariidae are large birds, typically with grey or brown plumage, often with white markings on the wings. They have longish bills with hooked tips and webbed feet with sharp claws. They look like large dark gulls, but have a fleshy cere above the upper mandible. They are strong, acrobatic fliers. Pomarine jaeger, Stercorarius pomarinus ( C ) Parasitic jaeger, Stercorarius parasiticus Long - tailed jaeger, Stercorarius longicaudus ( L ) ( C ) Auks, murres, and puffins Black guillemot Order : Charadriiformes Family : Alcidae Alcids are superficially similar to penguins due to their black - and - white colours, their upright posture, and some of their habits, however, they are only distantly related to the penguins and are able to fly. Auks live on the open sea, only deliberately coming ashore to nest. Dovekie, Alle alle ( A ) Thick - billed murre, Uria lomvia ( A ) Razorbill, Alca torda ( A ) Black guillemot, Cepphus grylle ( C ) ( S ) Long - billed murrelet, Brachyramphus perdix ( A ) Ancient murrelet, Synthliboramphus antiquus ( A ) Atlantic puffin, Fratercula arctica ( A ) Gulls, terns, and skimmers Laughing gull Ring - billed gull Iceland gull Black tern Order : Charadriiformes Family : Laridae Laridae is a family of medium to large seabirds and includes gulls, terns, kittiwakes, and skimmers. They are typically grey or white, often with black markings on the head or wings. They have stout, longish bills and webbed feet. Black - legged kittiwake, Rissa tridactyla ( L ) ( C ) Ivory gull, Pagophila eburnea ( A ) Sabine 's gull, Xema sabini ( L ) ( C ) Bonaparte 's gull, Chroicocephalus philadelphia Black - headed gull, Chroicocephalus ridibundus ( L ) ( C ) Little gull, Hydrocoloeus minutus ( C ) Ross 's gull, Rhodostethia rosea ( L ) ( C ) Laughing gull, Leucophaeus atricilla ( L ) ( C ) Franklin 's gull, Leucophaeus pipixcan ( L ) Black - tailed gull, Larus crassirostris ( A ) Heermann 's gull, Larus heermanni ( A ) Mew gull, Larus canus ( A ) Ring - billed gull, Larus delawarensis California gull, Larus californicus ( A ) Herring gull, Larus argentatus Iceland gull, Larus glaucoides Lesser black - backed gull, Larus fuscus ( L ) Slaty - backed gull, Larus schistisagus ( A ) Glaucous gull, Larus hyperboreus Great black - backed gull, Larus marinus Kelp gull, Larus dominicanus ( A ) Sooty tern, Onychoprion fuscatus ( A ) Least tern, Sternula antillarum ( A ) Caspian tern, Hydroprogne caspia Black tern, Chlidonias niger White - winged tern, Chlidonias leucopterus ( A ) Common tern, Sterna hirundo Arctic tern, Sterna paradisaea ( C ) Forster 's tern, Sterna forsteri ( L ) ( C ) Royal tern, Thalasseus maximus ( A ) Sandwich tern, Thalasseus sandvicensis ( A ) Elegant tern, Thalasseus elegans ( A ) Black skimmer, Rynchops niger ( A ) Loons Red - throated loon Order : Gaviiformes Family : Gaviidae Loons, known as divers in Europe, are aquatic birds the size of a large duck, to which they are unrelated. Their plumage is largely grey or black, and they have spear - shaped bills. Loons swim well and fly adequately, but, because their legs are placed towards the rear of the body, are almost helpless on land. Red - throated loon, Gavia stellata Pacific loon, Gavia pacifica ( C ) Common loon, Gavia immer Yellow - billed loon, Gavia adamsii ( A ) Albatrosses Order : Procellariiformes Family : Diomedeidae The albatrosses are amongst the largest of flying birds, and the great albatrosses from the genus Diomedea have the largest wingspans of any extant birds. Yellow - nosed albatross, Thalassarche chlororhynchos ( A ) Southern storm - petrels Order : Procellariiformes Family : Oceanitidae The storm - petrels are the smallest seabirds, relatives of the petrels, feeding on planktonic crustaceans and small fish picked from the surface, typically while hovering. The flight is fluttering and sometimes bat - like. Until 2018, this family 's three species were included with the other storm - petrels in family Hydrobatidae. Wilson 's storm - petrel, Oceanites oceanicus ( A ) Northern storm - petrels Order : Procellariiformes Family : Hydrobatidae Though the members of this family are similar in many respects to the southern storm - petrels, including their general appearance and habits, there are enough genetic differences to warrant their placement in a separate family. Leach 's storm - petrel, Oceanodroma leucorhoa ( A ) Band - rumped storm - petrel, Oceanodroma castro ( A ) Shearwaters and petrels Northern fulmar Order : Procellariiformes Family : Procellariidae The procellariids are the main group of medium - sized `` true petrels '', characterised by united nostrils with medium septum and a long outer functional primary. Northern fulmar, Fulmarus glacialis ( A ) Black - capped petrel, Pterodroma hasitata ( A ) Great shearwater, Ardenna gravis ( A ) Short - tailed shearwater / Sooty shearwater, Ardenna tenuirostris / Ardenna griseus ( A ) Manx shearwater, Puffinus puffinus ( A ) Audubon 's shearwater, Puffinus lherminieri ( A ) Storks Order : Ciconiiformes Family : Ciconiidae Storks are large, heavy, long - legged, long - necked wading birds with long stout bills and wide wingspans. They lack the powder down that other wading birds such as herons, spoonbills, and ibises use to clean off fish slime. Storks lack a pharynx and are mute. Wood stork, Mycteria americana ( A ) Frigatebirds Order : Suliformes Family : Fregatidae Frigatebirds are large seabirds usually found over tropical oceans. They are large, black, or black - and - white, with long wings and deeply forked tails. The males have coloured inflatable throat pouches. They do not swim or walk and can not take off from a flat surface. Having the largest wingspan - to - body - weight ratio of any bird, they are essentially aerial, able to stay aloft for more than a week. Magnificent frigatebird, Fregata magnificens ( A ) Boobies and gannets Northern gannet Order : Suliformes Family : Sulidae The sulids comprise the gannets and boobies. Both groups are medium - large coastal seabirds that plunge - dive for fish. Brown booby, Sula leucogaster ( A ) Northern gannet, Morus bassanus ( A ) Cormorants Double - crested cormorant Order : Suliformes Family : Phalacrocoracidae Cormorants are medium - to - large aquatic birds, usually with mainly dark plumage and areas of coloured skin on the face. The bill is long, thin and sharply hooked. Their feet are four - toed and webbed. Neotropic cormorant, Phalacrocorax brasilianus ( A ) Double - crested cormorant, Phalacrocorax auritus Great cormorant, Phalacrocorax carbo ( A ) Anhingas Order : Suliformes Family : Anhingidae Anhingas are cormorant - like water birds with very long necks and long, straight beaks. They are fish eaters which often swim with only their neck above the water. Anhinga, Anhinga anhinga ( A ) Pelicans Order : Pelecaniformes Family : Pelecanidae Pelicans are very large water birds with a distinctive pouch under their beak. Like other birds in the order Pelecaniformes, they have four webbed toes. American white pelican, Pelecanus erythrorhynchos Brown pelican, Pelecanus occidentalis ( A ) Bitterns, herons, and egrets American bittern Great blue heron Order : Pelecaniformes Family : Ardeidae The family Ardeidae contains the bitterns, herons, and egrets. Herons and egrets are medium to large wading birds with long necks and legs. Bitterns tend to be shorter necked and warier. Unlike other long - necked birds such as storks, ibises, and spoonbills, members of this family fly with their necks retracted. American bittern, Botaurus lentiginosus Least bittern, Ixobrychus exilis ( L ) ( C ) Great blue heron, Ardea herodias Great egret, Ardea alba ( L ) ( C ) Little egret, Egretta garzetta ( A ) Snowy egret, Egretta thula ( L ) ( C ) Little blue heron, Egretta caerulea ( A ) Tricolored heron, Egretta tricolor ( A ) Cattle egret, Bubulcus ibis ( L ) ( C ) Green heron, Butorides virescens ( L ) ( C ) Black - crowned night - heron, Nycticorax nycticorax ( L ) ( C ) Yellow - crowned night - heron, Nyctanassa violacea ( A ) Ibises and spoonbills Order : Pelecaniformes Family : Threskiornithidae Threskiornithidae is a family of large terrestrial and wading birds which comprises the ibises and spoonbills. Its members have long, broad wings with 11 primary and about 20 secondary flight feathers. They are strong fliers and, despite their size and weight, very capable soarers. White ibis, Eudocimus albus ( A ) Glossy ibis, Plegadis falcinellus ( L ) ( C ) White - faced ibis, Plegadis chihi ( A ) Roseate spoonbill, Ajaia ajaja ( A ) New World vultures Turkey vulture Order : Cathartiformes Family : Cathartidae The New World vultures are not closely related to Old World vultures, but superficially resemble them because of convergent evolution. Like the Old World vultures, they are scavengers. However, unlike Old World vultures, which find carcasses by sight, New World vultures have a good sense of smell with which they locate carcasses. Black vulture, Coragyps atratus ( L ) ( C ) Turkey vulture, Cathartes aura ( L ) Osprey Order : Accipitriformes Family : Pandionidae Pandionidae is a family of fish - eating birds of prey possessing a very large, powerful hooked beak for tearing flesh from their prey, strong legs, powerful talons, and keen eyesight. The family is monotypic. Osprey, Pandion haliaetus Hawks, kites, and eagles Red - tailed hawk Golden eagle Order : Accipitriformes Family : Accipitridae The Accipitridae is a family of birds of prey, which includes hawks, eagles, kites, harriers, and Old World vultures. These birds mostly have powerful hooked beaks for tearing flesh from their prey, strong legs, powerful talons, and keen eyesight. Swallow - tailed kite, Elanoides forficatus ( A ) Golden eagle, Aquila chrysaetos Northern harrier, Circus hudsonius Sharp - shinned hawk, Accipiter striatus Cooper 's hawk, Accipiter cooperii ( L ) Northern goshawk, Accipiter gentilis Bald eagle, Haliaeetus leucocephalus Mississippi kite, Ictinia mississippiensis ( A ) Red - shouldered hawk, Buteo lineatus ( L ) Broad - winged hawk, Buteo platypterus Swainson 's hawk, Buteo swainsoni ( A ) Red - tailed hawk, Buteo jamaicensis Rough - legged hawk, Buteo lagopus Ferruginous hawk, Buteo regalis ( A ) Barn - owls Order : Strigiformes Family : Tytonidae Barn - owls are medium to large owls with large heads and characteristic heart - shaped faces. They have long strong legs with powerful talons. Barn owl, Tyto alba Typical owls Northern saw - whet owl Order : Strigiformes Family : Strigidae The typical owls are small to large solitary nocturnal birds of prey. They have large forward - facing eyes and ears, a hawk - like beak, and a conspicuous circle of feathers around each eye called a facial disk. Eastern screech - owl, Megascops asio ( L ) ( C ) Great horned owl, Bubo virginianus Snowy owl, Bubo scandiacus Northern hawk owl, Surnia ulula Burrowing owl, Athene cunicularia ( A ) Barred owl, Strix varia ( L ) Great gray owl, Strix nebulosa Long - eared owl, Asio otus Short - eared owl, Asio flammeus Boreal owl, Aegolius funereus Northern saw - whet owl, Aegolius acadicus Kingfishers Order : Coraciiformes Family : Alcedinidae Kingfishers are medium - sized birds with large heads, long pointed bills, short legs, and stubby tails. Belted kingfisher, Megaceryle alcyon Woodpeckers Downy woodpecker Order : Piciformes Family : Picidae Woodpeckers, sapsuckers, and flickers are small to medium - sized birds with chisel - like beaks, short legs, stiff tails and long tongues used for capturing insects. Some species have feet with two toes pointing forward and two backward, while several species have only three toes. Many woodpeckers have the habit of tapping noisily on tree trunks with their beaks. Lewis 's woodpecker, Melanerpes lewis ( A ) Red - headed woodpecker, Melanerpes erythrocephalus ( L ) Red - bellied woodpecker, Melanerpes carolinus ( L ) Yellow - bellied sapsucker, Sphyrapicus varius American three - toed woodpecker, Picoides dorsalis Black - backed woodpecker, Picoides arcticus Downy woodpecker, Dryobates pubescens Hairy woodpecker, Dryobates villosus Northern flicker, Colaptes auratus Pileated woodpecker, Dryocopus pileatus Caracaras and falcons Peregrine falcon Order : Falconiformes Family : Falconidae Falconidae is a family of diurnal birds of prey, notably the falcons and caracaras. They differ from hawks, eagles, and kites in that they kill with their beaks instead of their talons. Crested caracara, Caracara cheriway ( A ) American kestrel, Falco sparverius Merlin, Falco columbarius Gyrfalcon, Falco rusticolus Peregrine falcon, Falco peregrinus Prairie falcon, Falco mexicanus ( A ) Tyrant flycatchers Acadian flycatcher Least flycatcher Eastern kingbird Order : Passeriformes Family : Tyrannidae Tyrant flycatchers are Passerine birds which occur throughout North and South America. They superficially resemble the Old World flycatchers, but are more robust and have stronger bills. They do not have the sophisticated vocal capabilities of the songbirds. Most are rather plain. As the name implies, most are insectivorous. Ash - throated flycatcher, Myiarchus cinerascens ( A ) Great crested flycatcher, Myiarchus crinitus ( L ) Sulphur - bellied flycatcher, Myiodynastes luteiventris ( A ) Variegated flycatcher, Empidonomus varius ( A ) Tropical kingbird, Tyrannus melancholicus ( A ) Cassin 's kingbird, Tyrannus vociferans ( A ) Thick - billed kingbird, Tyrannus crassirostris ( A ) Western kingbird, Tyrannus verticalis ( L ) ( S ) Eastern kingbird, Tyrannus tyrannus Gray kingbird, Tyrannus dominicensis ( A ) Scissor - tailed flycatcher, Tyrannus forficatus ( A ) Fork - tailed flycatcher, Tyrannus savana ( A ) Olive - sided flycatcher, Contopus cooperi Western wood - pewee, Contopus sordidulus ( A ) Eastern wood - pewee, Contopus virens ( L ) Yellow - bellied flycatcher, Empidonax flaviventris Acadian flycatcher, Empidonax virescens ( L ) ( C ) Alder flycatcher, Empidonax alnorum Willow flycatcher, Empidonax traillii ( L ) ( C ) Least flycatcher, Empidonax minimus Gray flycatcher, Empidonax wrightii ( A ) Dusky flycatcher, Empidonax oberholseri ( A ) Eastern phoebe, Sayornis phoebe Say 's phoebe, Sayornis saya ( A ) Vermilion flycatcher, Pyrocephalus rubinus ( A ) Shrikes Northern shrike Order : Passeriformes Family : Laniidae Shrikes are passerine birds known for the habit of catching other birds and small animals and impaling the uneaten portions of their bodies on thorns. A shrike 's beak is hooked, like that of a typical bird of prey. Loggerhead shrike, Lanius ludovicianus ( L ) ( C ) Northern shrike, Lanius borealis Vireos Yellow - throated vireo Order : Passeriformes Family : Vireonidae The vireos are a group of small to medium - sized passerine birds restricted to the New World. They are typically greenish in colour and resemble wood warblers apart from their heavier bills. Black - capped vireo, Vireo atricapilla ( A ) White - eyed vireo, Vireo griseus ( L ) ( C ) Bell 's vireo, Vireo bellii ( A ) Yellow - throated vireo, Vireo flavifrons ( L ) Blue - headed vireo, Vireo solitarius Plumbeous vireo, Vireo plumbeus ( A ) Philadelphia vireo, Vireo philadelphicus Warbling vireo, Vireo gilvus Red - eyed vireo, Vireo olivaceus Jays, crows, magpies, and ravens Blue jay Order : Passeriformes Family : Corvidae The family Corvidae includes crows, ravens, jays, choughs, magpies, treepies, nutcrackers, and ground jays. Corvids are above average in size among the Passeriformes, and some of the larger species show high levels of intelligence. Canada jay, Perisoreus canadensis Blue jay, Cyanocitta cristata Clark 's nutcracker, Nucifraga columbiana ( A ) Black - billed magpie, Pica hudsonia ( L ) ( S ) Eurasian jackdaw, Corvus monedula ( A ) American crow, Corvus brachyrhynchos Fish crow, Corvus ossifragus ( L ) ( C ) Common raven, Corvus corax Larks Order : Passeriformes Family : Alaudidae Larks are small terrestrial birds with often extravagant songs and display flights. Most larks are fairly dull in appearance. Their food is insects and seeds. Horned lark, Eremophila alpestris Swallows and martins Tree swallow Order : Passeriformes Family : Hirundinidae The family Hirundinidae is a group of passerines characterised by their adaptation to aerial feeding. The family includes swallows and martins. These adaptations include a slender streamlined body, long pointed wings, and short bills with a wide gape. The feet are adapted to perching rather than walking, and the front toes are partially joined at the base. Purple martin, Progne subis ( L ) Tree swallow, Tachycineta bicolor Violet - green swallow, Tachycineta thalassina ( A ) Northern rough - winged swallow, Stelgidopteryx serripennis ( L ) Bank swallow, Riparia riparia Cliff swallow, Petrochelidon pyrrhonota Cave swallow, Petrochelidon fulva ( A ) Barn swallow, Hirundo rustica Chickadees and titmice Black - capped chickadee Order : Passeriformes Family : Paridae Chickadees and titmice are mainly small stocky woodland species with short stout bills. Some have crests. They are adaptable birds, with a mixed diet including seeds and insects. Carolina chickadee, Poecile carolinensis ( A ) Black - capped chickadee, Poecile atricapilla Boreal chickadee, Poecile hudsonica Tufted titmouse, Baeolophus bicolor ( L ) ( C ) Nuthatches Red - breasted nuthatch Order : Passeriformes Family : Sittidae Nuthatches are small woodland birds. They have the unusual ability to climb down trees head first, unlike other birds which can only go upwards. Nuthatches have big heads, short tails, and powerful bills and feet. Red - breasted nuthatch, Sitta canadensis White - breasted nuthatch, Sitta carolinensis ( L ) Treecreepers Order : Passeriformes Family : Certhiidae Treecreepers are small woodland birds, brown above and white below. They have thin pointed down - curved bills, which they use to extricate insects from bark. They have stiff tail feathers, like woodpeckers, which they use to support themselves on vertical trees. Brown creeper, Certhia americana Wrens Carolina wren Order : Passeriformes Family : Troglodytidae Wrens are small and inconspicuous birds, except for their loud songs. They have short wings and thin down - turned bills. Several species often hold their tails upright. All are insectivorous. Rock wren, Salpinctes obsoletus ( A ) House wren, Troglodytes aedon ( L ) Winter wren, Troglodytes hiemalis Sedge wren, Cistothorus platensis Marsh wren, Cistothorus palustris Carolina wren, Thryothorus ludovicianus ( L ) ( C ) Bewick 's wren, Thryomanes bewickii ( A ) Gnatcatchers Order : Passeriformes Family : Polioptilidae Gnatcatchers are a group of small insectivorous passerine birds. Most are of generally undistinguished appearance, but many have distinctive songs. Blue - gray gnatcatcher, Polioptila caerulea ( L ) ( C ) Kinglets Ruby - crowned kinglet Order : Passeriformes Family : Regulidae The kinglets are a small family of birds which resemble the titmice. They are very small insectivorous birds in the genus Regulus. The adults have coloured crowns, giving rise to their name. Golden - crowned kinglet, Regulus satrapa Ruby - crowned kinglet, Regulus calendula Old World flycatchers Order : Passeriformes Family : Muscicapidae The Old World flycatchers are a large family of small passerine birds. These are mainly small arboreal insectivores, many of which, as the name implies, take their prey on the wing. Siberian rubythroat, Calliope calliope ( A ) Northern wheatear, Oenanthe oenanthe ( A ) Thrushes Eastern bluebird American robin Order : Passeriformes Family : Turdidae The thrushes are a group of passerine birds that occur mainly in the Old World. They are plump, soft plumaged, small to medium - sized insectivores or sometimes omnivores, often feeding on the ground. Many have attractive songs. Eastern bluebird, Sialia sialis Mountain bluebird, Sialia currucoides ( A ) Townsend 's solitaire, Myadestes townsendi ( L ) Veery, Catharus fuscescens ( L ) Gray - cheeked thrush, Catharus minimus Bicknell 's thrush, Catharus bicknelli ( A ) Swainson 's thrush, Catharus ustulatus Hermit thrush, Catharus guttatus Wood thrush, Hylocichla mustelina ( L ) Eurasian blackbird, Turdus merula ( A ) Fieldfare, Turdus pilaris ( A ) American robin, Turdus migratorius Varied thrush, Ixoreus naevius ( L ) Mockingbirds and thrashers Northern mockingbird Order : Passeriformes Family : Mimidae The mimids are a family of passerine birds that includes thrashers, mockingbirds, tremblers, and the New World catbirds. These birds are notable for their vocalization, especially their remarkable ability to mimic a wide variety of birds and other sounds heard outdoors. The species tend towards dull greys and browns in their appearance. Gray catbird, Dumetella carolinensis Brown thrasher, Toxostoma rufum Sage thrasher, Oreoscoptes montanus ( A ) Northern mockingbird, Mimus polyglottos ( L ) Starlings Order : Passeriformes Family : Sturnidae Starlings are small to medium - sized passerine birds. Their flight is strong and direct and they are very gregarious. Their preferred habitat is fairly open country. They eat insects and fruit. Plumage is typically dark with a metallic sheen. European starling, Sturnus vulgaris ( I ) Waxwings Cedar waxwing Order : Passeriformes Family : Bombycillidae The waxwings are a group of birds with soft silky plumage and unique red tips to some of the wing feathers. In the Bohemian and cedar waxwings, these tips look like sealing wax and give the group its name. These are arboreal birds of northern forests. Bohemian waxwing, Bombycilla garrulus Cedar waxwing, Bombycilla cedrorum Silky - flycatchers Order : Passeriformes Family : Ptiliogonatidae The silky - flycatchers are a small family of passerine birds which occur mainly in Central America. They are related to waxwings and most species have small crests. Phainopepla, Phainopepla nitens ( A ) Old World sparrows Order : Passeriformes Family : Passeridae Old World sparrows are small passerine birds. In general, sparrows tend to be small plump brownish or greyish birds with short tails and short powerful beaks. Sparrows are seed - eaters, but they also consume small insects. House sparrow, Passer domesticus ( I ) ( L ) Eurasian tree sparrow, Passer montanus ( I ) ( A ) Wagtails and pipits Order : Passeriformes Family : Motacillidae Motacillidae is a family of small passerine birds with medium to long tails. They include the wagtails, longclaws, and pipits. They are slender ground - feeding insectivores of open country. American pipit, Anthus rubescens Sprague 's pipit, Anthus spragueii ( A ) Finches Purple finch Red crossbill American goldfinch Order : Passeriformes Family : Fringillidae Finches are small to moderately large seed - eating passerine birds with a strong beak, usually conical and in some species very large. All have 12 tail feathers and nine primaries flight feathers. Finches have a bouncing flight, alternating bouts of flapping with gliding on closed wings, and most sing well. Brambling, Fringilla montifringilla ( A ) Evening grosbeak, Coccothraustes vespertinus Pine grosbeak, Pinicola enucleator Gray - crowned rosy - finch, Leucosticte tephrocotis ( A ) House finch, Haemorhous mexicanus ( native to the southwestern U.S ; introduced in the east ) ( L ) Purple finch, Haemorhous purpureus Cassin 's finch, Haemorhous cassinii ( A ) Common redpoll, Acanthis flammea Hoary redpoll, Acanthis hornemanni Red crossbill, Loxia curvirostra White - winged crossbill, Loxia leucoptera Pine siskin, Spinus pinus Lesser goldfinch, Spinus psaltria ( A ) American goldfinch, Spinus tristis Longspurs and snow buntings Order : Passeriformes Family : Calcariidae The Calcariidae are a group of passerine birds that were traditionally grouped with the New World sparrows, but differ in a number of respects and are usually found in open grassy areas. Lapland longspur, Calcarius lapponicus Chestnut - collared longspur, Calcarius ornatus ( A ) Smith 's longspur, Calcarius pictus ( C ) ( S ) McCown 's longspur, Calcarius mccownii ( A ) Snow bunting, Plectrophenax nivalis New World sparrows Eastern towhee American tree sparrow Dark - eyed junco Order : Passeriformes Family : Passerellidae Until 2017, these species were considered part of the family Emberizidae. Most of the species are known as sparrows, but these birds are not closely related to the Old World sparrows which are in the family Passeridae. Many of these have distinctive head patterns. Green - tailed towhee, Pipilo chlorurus ( A ) Spotted towhee, Pipilo maculatus ( A ) Eastern towhee, Pipilo erythrophthalmus ( L ) Cassin 's sparrow, Peucaea cassinii ( A ) Bachman 's sparrow, Peucaea aestivalis ( A ) American tree sparrow, Spizelloides arborea Chipping sparrow, Spizella passerina Clay - colored sparrow, Spizella pallida Brewer 's sparrow, Spizella breweri ( A ) Field sparrow, Spizella pusilla ( L ) ( C ) Vesper sparrow, Pooecetes gramineus ( L ) Lark sparrow, Chondestes grammacus ( L ) Black - throated sparrow, Amphispiza bilineata ( A ) Lark bunting, Calamospiza melanocorys ( A ) Savannah sparrow, Passerculus sandwichensis Grasshopper sparrow, Ammodramus savannarum ( L ) ( C ) Baird 's sparrow, Centronyx bairdii ( A ) Henslow 's sparrow, Centronyx henslowii ( L ) ( C ) LeConte 's sparrow, Ammospiza leconteii Nelson 's sparrow, Ammospiza nelsoni Fox sparrow, Passerella iliaca Song sparrow, Melospiza melodia Lincoln 's sparrow, Melospiza lincolnii Swamp sparrow, Melospiza georgiana White - throated sparrow, Zonotrichia albicollis Harris 's sparrow, Zonotrichia querula White - crowned sparrow, Zonotrichia leucophrys Golden - crowned sparrow, Zonotrichia atricapilla ( A ) Dark - eyed junco, Junco hyemalis Yellow - breasted chat Yellow - breasted chat Order : Passeriformes Family : Icteriidae This species was historically placed in the wood - warblers ( Parulidae ) but nonetheless most authorities were unsure if it belonged there. It was placed in its own family in 2017. Yellow - breasted chat, Icteria virens ( L ) ( C ) Icterids Red - winged blackbird Common grackle Order : Passeriformes Family : Icteridae The icterids are a group of small to medium - sized, often colourful passerine birds restricted to the New World and include the blackbirds, meadowlarks, cowbirds, grackles, and New World orioles. Most species have black as a predominant plumage colour, often enlivened by yellow, orange, or red. Yellow - headed blackbird, Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus ( L ) Bobolink, Dolichonyx oryzivorus Eastern meadowlark, Sturnella magna ( L ) Western meadowlark, Sturnella neglecta ( L ) Orchard oriole, Icterus spurius ( L ) ( C ) Hooded oriole, Icterus cucullatus ( A ) Bullock 's oriole, Icterus bullockii ( A ) Baltimore oriole, Icterus galbula ( L ) Scott 's oriole, Icterus parisorum ( A ) Red - winged blackbird, Agelaius phoeniceus Brown - headed cowbird, Molothrus ater Rusty blackbird, Euphagus carolinus Brewer 's blackbird, Euphagus cyanocephalus ( L ) Common grackle, Quiscalus quiscula Great - tailed grackle, Quiscalus mexicanus ( A ) Wood - warblers Blue - winged warbler Northern parula American redstart Common yellowthroat Order : Passeriformes Family : Parulidae The wood - warblers are a group of small often colourful passerine birds restricted to the New World. Most are arboreal, but some are more terrestrial. Most members of this family are insectivores. Ovenbird, Seiurus aurocapilla ( L ) Worm - eating warbler, Helmitheros vermivorum ( L ) ( C ) Louisiana waterthrush, Parkesia motacilla ( L ) ( C ) Northern waterthrush, Parkesia noveboracensis Golden - winged warbler, Vermivora chrysoptera ( L ) Blue - winged warbler, Vermivora cyanoptera ( L ) ( C ) Black - and - white warbler, Mniotilta varia Prothonotary warbler, Protonotaria citrea ( L ) ( C ) Swainson 's warbler, Limnothlypis swainsonii ( A ) Tennessee warbler, Oreothlypis peregrina Orange - crowned warbler, Oreothlypis celata Nashville warbler, Oreothlypis ruficapilla Virginia 's warbler, Oreothlypis virginiae ( A ) Connecticut warbler, Oporornis agilis Mourning warbler, Geothlypis philadelphia Kentucky warbler, Geothlypis formosa ( L ) ( C ) Common yellowthroat, Geothlypis trichas Hooded warbler, Setophaga citrina ( L ) ( C ) American redstart, Setophaga ruticilla Kirtland 's warbler, Setophaga kirtlandii ( L ) ( C ) Cape May warbler, Setophaga tigrina Cerulean warbler, Setophaga cerulea ( L ) ( C ) Northern parula, Setophaga americana Magnolia warbler, Setophaga magnolia Bay - breasted warbler, Setophaga castanea Blackburnian warbler, Setophaga fusca Yellow warbler, Setophaga petechia Chestnut - sided warbler, Setophaga pensylvanica Blackpoll warbler, Setophaga striata Black - throated blue warbler, Setophaga caerulescens ( L ) Palm warbler, Setophaga palmarum Pine warbler, Setophaga pinus ( L ) Yellow - rumped warbler, Setophaga coronata Yellow - throated warbler, Setophaga dominica ( L ) ( C ) Prairie warbler, Setophaga discolor ( L ) ( C ) Grace 's warbler, Setophaga graciae ( A ) Black - throated gray warbler, Setophaga nigrescens ( A ) Townsend 's warbler, Setophaga townsendi ( A ) Hermit warbler, Setophaga occidentalis ( A ) Black - throated green warbler, Setophaga virens Canada warbler, Cardellina canadensis Wilson 's warbler, Cardellina pusilla Painted redstart, Myioborus pictus ( A ) Cardinals and allies Rose - breasted grosbeak Order : Passeriformes Family : Cardinalidae Cardinals are a family of robust, seed - eating birds with strong bills. They are typically associated with open woodland. The sexes usually have distinct plumages. Summer tanager, Piranga rubra ( L ) ( C ) Scarlet tanager, Piranga olivacea ( L ) Western tanager, Piranga ludoviciana ( A ) Northern cardinal, Cardinalis cardinalis Pyrrhuloxia, Cardinalis sinuatus ( A ) Rose - breasted grosbeak, Pheucticus ludovicianus Black - headed grosbeak, Pheucticus melanocephalus ( A ) Blue grosbeak, Passerina caerulea ( A ) Lazuli bunting, Passerina amoena ( A ) Indigo bunting, Passerina cyanea ( L ) Varied bunting, Passerina versicolor ( A ) Painted bunting, Passerina ciris ( A ) Dickcissel, Spiza americana ( L ) ( C ) References Jump up ^ `` Checklist of the Birds of Ontario ''. Ontario Field Ornithologists. Retrieved 26 June 2017. Jump up ^ Hughes, Janice M. ( 2001 ). The ROM Field Guide to Birds of Ontario. Toronto : Royal Ontario Museum. pp. 5 -- 12. ISBN 978 - 0 - 7710 - 7650 - 3. Jump up ^ American Ornithologists ' Union. 1998. Check - list of North American Birds. 7th edition. American Ornithologists ' Union, Washington, D.C. Jump up ^ R. Terry Chesser, Kevin J. Burns, Carla Cicero, Jon L. Dunn, Andrew W. Kratter, Irby J. Lovette, Pamela C. Rasmussen, J.V. Remsen, Jr., Douglas F. Stotz, Benjamin M. Winger, and Kevin Winker. `` Fifty - ninth supplement to the American Ornithological Society 's Check - list of North American Birds ''. The Auk 2018, vol. 135 : 798 - 813 retrieved 16 July 2018 See also List of birds Lists of birds by region List of birds of Canada Bird lists of North America by region Canada Provinces British Columbia Alberta Saskatchewan Manitoba Ontario Quebec ( Mont - Tremblant ) New Brunswick Nova Scotia Prince Edward Island Newfoundland and Labrador Territories Yukon Northwest Territories Nunavut United States States Alabama Alaska ( Aleutian Islands ) Arizona ( Yuma County, Sonoran Desert ) Arkansas California ( Santa Cruz County ) Colorado Connecticut Delaware Florida Georgia Hawaii ( Endemic, Non-native ) Idaho Illinois Indiana ( Indiana Dunes ) Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana ( Glacier National Park ) Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon ( Klamath Basin ) Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming ( Yellowstone ) Territories American Samoa Northern Mariana Islands Puerto Rico ( Vieques ) Virgin Islands Washington, D.C. See also County birds State birds Threatened birds Other Bermuda Cuba Greenland Jamaica Mexico ( Sierra Madre Occidental ) Retrieved from `` https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=List_of_birds_of_Ontario&oldid=865105893 '' Categories : Birds of Canada Natural history of Ontario Lists of birds by location Hidden categories : Use Canadian English from July 2018 All Wikipedia articles written in Canadian English Featured lists Talk Contents About Wikipedia Add links This page was last edited on 21 October 2018, at 19 : 33 ( UTC ). Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution - ShareAlike License ; additional terms may apply. By using this site, you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Wikipedia ® is a registered trademark of the Wikimedia Foundation, Inc., a non-profit organization. About Wikipedia

Question: what kind of hawks are in southern ontario
Answer: Sharp-shinned hawk