The Veery is a brown thrush with grey speckled breast that is heard much more often than seen. The descending series of notes veers down the scale, hence the name of the bird. A grass nest is built close to the ground, at the base of a shrub or among dense vegetation, with as many as four young being raised. Cowbirds commonly leave their eggs in Veery nests. Veery are found in low elevation grasslands as far north as the Peace River.
Yellow Warbler
This plump, custard yellow warbler with reddish streaks on its chest is often see darting about riparian shrubs in search of insects. As with many warblers, it may be heard rather than seen, singing "Sweet, sweet, sweet, so sweet." A tiny cup-shaped nest tucked into the crook of two branches is home to as many as two to four young. Cowbird predation is very common.
Barrow's Goldeneye is known as "British Columbia's waterfowl" because 60 to 90% of the world's population lives in the province year round. The distinct white crescent on each side of the head of the male, along with the bright yellow eyes and black and white ladtter along his side, are clear identifying marks. Females are a dull grey with brown head and the same yellow eyes as the male. Barrow's Goldeneye will nest in tree hollows or specially constructed nest boxes. Broods as large as 30 young have been recorded. All goldeneyes migrate to coastal waters in the winter, where they feed on mussels in shallow water.
Want to know more about some species at risk in riparian areas?Go to Species at Risk
Here is a list of other representative species in riparian areas:
Bald EagleBlack-headed GrosbeakBobolinkGray CatbirdGreat Blue HeronLewis’s WoodpeckerNorthern GoshawkNorthern Saw-whet OwlOspreyRed-tailed HawkSavannah SparrowSharp-tailed GrouseTree SwallowVaux’s SwiftWood DuckRed:Prairie FalconWestern Screech-Owl (Macfarlane subsp.)Yellow-breasted Chat
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