birds

A black oystercatcher in south Oak Bay is pictured hunting for food between Victoria Golf Club and Kitty Islet. Waterfowl and raptors remain the wild bird groups at highest risk of avian flu, which has emerged in various species in B.C. since February. (Evert Lindquist/News Staff)

National avian flu outbreak launches B.C. bird feeder safety debate

BCSPCA says feeders and baths pose risk, others says chief concern is protecting poultry

 

Bald eagle populations in the southwestern part of the province are suffering (Courtesy Photo / Jack Beedle).

B.C. bald eagle nest success threatened amid avian influenza outbreaks

Province is monitoring troublesome conditions for eagles in southwestern B.C.

 

A baby red-tailed hawk, right, originally captured as live food for an eaglet, left, has become part of a family of eagles on Gabriola Island. The eagles are feeding and caring for it after the eaglet wouldn’t kill it when it was brought to the nest in early June. (Photo courtesy Sharron Palmer-Hunt)

From food to family member: Baby B.C. hawk goes from eagle bait to roommate

Red-tailed hawklet brought to the nest as food instead gets adopted by eagles near Nanaimo

 

Avian flu has been confirmed among some Canada geese at Mill Lake in Abbotsford. (Vikki Hopes/Abbotsford News)

Avian flu confirmed in some Canada geese at Mill Lake in Abbotsford

Elizabeth’s Wildlife Centre is receiving almost-daily calls about ill or dead birds

Avian flu has been confirmed among some Canada geese at Mill Lake in Abbotsford. (Vikki Hopes/Abbotsford News)
The grand opening of the Great Blue Heron Nature Reserve and Rotary Interpretive Centre on Wednesday, May 15, 2002. (Jenna Hauck/ Chilliwack Progress file)

Chilliwack’s Great Blue Heron Nature Reserve celebrates 20 years with free event

‘It’s an opportunity for people who were involved at the beginning to continue to be involved’

The grand opening of the Great Blue Heron Nature Reserve and Rotary Interpretive Centre on Wednesday, May 15, 2002. (Jenna Hauck/ Chilliwack Progress file)
An image commuter Zahra Ahmdz says she took at the Stadium-Chinatown SkyTrain station on March 22, 2022 appears to show a pigeon dead inside a cage. (Credit: Zahra Ahmdz)

Dead pigeons in SkyTrain cages not neglect but caused by hawk killings: pest control company

More than 2,000 people have signed a petition over concerns arouund the dead birds

An image commuter Zahra Ahmdz says she took at the Stadium-Chinatown SkyTrain station on March 22, 2022 appears to show a pigeon dead inside a cage. (Credit: Zahra Ahmdz)
The B.C. Government has received reports of suspected avian flu in pelicans across the Cariboo. (Kelly Sinoski photo — 100 Mile Free Press)

Colonies of endangered pelicans in Northern B.C. test positive for avian flu

Reports of sick pelicans in the Cariboo at Williams Lake, Alkali, Puntzi and Bouchie lakes.

The B.C. Government has received reports of suspected avian flu in pelicans across the Cariboo. (Kelly Sinoski photo — 100 Mile Free Press)
FILE - A chicken looks in the barn at Honey Brook Farm in Schuylkill Haven, Pa., on April 18, 2022. An outbreak of avian flu is forcing farmers to cull their flocks and leading to concerns about even higher food prices. While it doesn’t pose much of a threat to humans, the outbreak is prompting a new wave of some of the same conspiracy theories that emerged from the COVID-19 pandemic. (Lindsey Shuey/Republican-Herald via AP, File)

VIDEO: Bird flu hatches conspiracy theories amid COVID-19

Conspiracy theorists claim bird flu isn’t real and emerged from the COVID-19 pandemic

FILE - A chicken looks in the barn at Honey Brook Farm in Schuylkill Haven, Pa., on April 18, 2022. An outbreak of avian flu is forcing farmers to cull their flocks and leading to concerns about even higher food prices. While it doesn’t pose much of a threat to humans, the outbreak is prompting a new wave of some of the same conspiracy theories that emerged from the COVID-19 pandemic. (Lindsey Shuey/Republican-Herald via AP, File)
One of Stanley Park’s first blue heron chicks of 2022 pokes its mohawked head out from its nest. (Courtesy of Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation)

Live camera captures first Stanley Park blue heron chicks of 2022

Winter weather, eagle raids made for tough nesting season, says Vancouver parks board

One of Stanley Park’s first blue heron chicks of 2022 pokes its mohawked head out from its nest. (Courtesy of Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation)
Small flock owners can access key info on avian influenza from a just released outreach document from the B.C. agriculture ministry. (Angie Mindus/Williams Lake Tribune file)

Avian influenza fact sheet put together for small-flock owners after detection in B.C.

B.C. agriculture ministry reaching out to bird owners in Fraser Valley and beyond

Small flock owners can access key info on avian influenza from a just released outreach document from the B.C. agriculture ministry. (Angie Mindus/Williams Lake Tribune file)
Officials are warning about several wild birds found dead - including bald eagles - that have tested positive for avian flu. (Black Press Media file photo)

Avian flu confirmed in bald eagle found near 100 Mile House

Wild birds across B.C. testing positive for H5N1 virus

Officials are warning about several wild birds found dead - including bald eagles - that have tested positive for avian flu. (Black Press Media file photo)
If you are a producer and want your flock safe, follow the guidelines to avoid Avian Influenza or bird flu.(Angie Mindus photo - Williams Lake Tribune)

B.C.’s second case of domestic avian influenza confirmed in the Okanagan

CFIA confirms a small backyard poultry flock in Kelowna tested positive for the H5N1

If you are a producer and want your flock safe, follow the guidelines to avoid Avian Influenza or bird flu.(Angie Mindus photo - Williams Lake Tribune)
Cases of avian flu have been detected on certain poultry farms in six central Alberta counties. (File photo from flickr)

Avian flu in North Okanagan creates large control zone

Canadian Food Inspection Agency infected zone includes Grindrod

Cases of avian flu have been detected on certain poultry farms in six central Alberta counties. (File photo from flickr)
Cases of avian flu have been detected on certain poultry farms in six central Alberta counties. (File photo from flickr)

UPDATE: Avian flu confirmed at Okanagan farm

Canadian Food Inspection Agency tests came back positive

Cases of avian flu have been detected on certain poultry farms in six central Alberta counties. (File photo from flickr)
Percy the hummingbird, seen here on one of Shelley Streich’s pine boughs. (submitted photo)

Hope resident forges bond with Percy the hummingbird

But cold temperatures forced the bird to flee and now she prays for his safe return

Percy the hummingbird, seen here on one of Shelley Streich’s pine boughs. (submitted photo)
Canada goose goslings walk with their mother. (Caitlyn MacDonald photo)

South Surrey student’s photograph published in Canadian Geographic calendar

Caitlyn MacDonald’s wildlife photography recognized

Canada goose goslings walk with their mother. (Caitlyn MacDonald photo)
Von Rywaczuk laughs as he cradles Halo the Swan in his arms after rescuing her from Elliot Lake. (Photo submitted)

Swan gets ‘second-chance at life’ after being rescued near 100 Mile

The swan was unable to migrate south due to an injured wing

Von Rywaczuk laughs as he cradles Halo the Swan in his arms after rescuing her from Elliot Lake. (Photo submitted)
Brad Fedoruk sent in this photo of an American White Pelican seen in the Vedder Canal near Highway 1 in Chilliwack on Oct. 16, 2021. (Brad Fedoruk photo)

Bird watchers excited to see rare American White Pelican in Chilliwack

Species nests at Stum Lake up north but are almost never seen on the ground in the Fraser Valley

Brad Fedoruk sent in this photo of an American White Pelican seen in the Vedder Canal near Highway 1 in Chilliwack on Oct. 16, 2021. (Brad Fedoruk photo)
A pair of Great Horn owlets pose majestically on their way to a rehabilitation centre outside the Boundary. Photo: Submitted

Man fined for keeping baby owls in his B.C. home

Investigating Conservation Officer says the man had the birds for two months

A pair of Great Horn owlets pose majestically on their way to a rehabilitation centre outside the Boundary. Photo: Submitted
A rare albino crow has been found nesting in an Aldergrove backyard. (Lizzy Grimes/Special to The Star)

Rare albino crow found in Aldergrove backyard

A genetic mutation resulting in a complete lack of colour makes this bird extremely uncommon

A rare albino crow has been found nesting in an Aldergrove backyard. (Lizzy Grimes/Special to The Star)