YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER

sphyrapicus varius

The yellow-bellied sapsucker sphyrapicus varius is a medium-sized woodpecker that breeds in Canada and the northeastern United States.

BARN OWL

tyto alba

The barn owl tyto alba is the most widely distributed species of owl in the world and one of the most widespread of all species of birds.

RED FOX

vulpes vulpes

The red fox vulpes vulpes is the largest of the true foxes and one of the most widely distributed members of the order Carnivora, being present across the entire Northern Hemisphere including most of North America, Europe and Asia plus parts of Northern Africa. It is listed as least concern by the IUCN.

SNOWY OWL

bubo scandiacus

The snowy owl bubo scandiacus is a large, white owl of the true owl family. It is sometimes also referred to, more infrequently, as the polar owl, white owl and the Arctic owl. Snowy owls are native to the Arctic regions of both North America and the Palearctic, breeding mostly on the tundra.

DEER

cervidae

Deer or true deer cervidae are hoofed ruminant mammals forming the family Cervidae. The two main groups of deer are the Cervinae, including the muntjac, the elk, the red deer, the fallow deer, and the chital; and the Capreolinae, including the reindeer, the roe deer, the mule deer, and the moose.

BLACK-CHINNED HUMMINGBIRD

archilochus alexandri

The black-chinned hummingbird archilochus alexandri is a small hummingbird occupying a broad range of habitats. It is migratory, spending winter as far south as Mexico.

BLACK SQUIRREL

sciurus niger

Black squirrels sciurus niger are a melanistic subgroup of squirrels with black coloration on their fur. The phenomenon occurs with several species of squirrels, although it is most frequent with the eastern gray squirrel and the fox squirrel.

WOLVERINE

gulo gulo

Although the Wolverine Gulo gulo belongs to the weasel family, Mustelidae, it is not as long and lean as typical weasels, but rather short and thick, like a small bear. Its head is broad and round, with small eyes and short rounded ears. Its legs are short and sturdy, with five toes on each foot. Its long, curved claws are semi-retractile, which means they can be partly drawn back in, and they are used for climbing and digging. Its teeth are strong, and its head, neck, and shoulder muscles are well-developed. These adaptations allow the Wolverine to feed on frozen flesh and bone, a survival tactic for the harsh and remote environments in which they reside.

COYOTE

canis latrans

The coyote canis latrans is one of the seven representatives of the Canidae family found in Canada. Other members of the family are the wolf, red fox, arctic fox, grey fox, swift fox, and dog. 

RACOON

procyon lotor

The common raccoon procyon lotor is probably best known for its mischievous-looking black face mask. Raccoons are usually a grizzled grey in colour with a tail marked by five to 10 alternating black and brown rings. Body coloration can vary from albino, (white) to melanistic (black) or brown. An annual moult, or shedding, of the fur begins in the spring and lasts about three months. 

CHIPMUNK

tamias

Chipmunks tames are small, striped rodents of the family Sciuridae. Chipmunks are found in North America, with the exception of the Siberian chipmunk which is found primarily in Asia.

PORCUPINE

erethizon dorsatum

The porcupine erethizon dorsatum is one of Canada’s best-known mammals, both in life and in legend. Its fame stems from its coat of quills, which keeps most enemies at a respectful distance. 

BADGER

taxidea taxus

The American badger taxidea taxus is a North American badger, somewhat similar in appearance to the European badger, although not closely related. It is found in the western and central United States, northern Mexico, and south-central Canada to certain areas of southwestern British Columbia.

BLACK BEAR

ursus americanus

Black bears ursus americanus hold a special position in the ecosystem of Ontario, and their populations are carefully guarded through measures of adaptive management and selective harvesting. Current populations are healthy and hunt-able, one of the largest populations in North America.

WILD TURKEY

meleagris gallopavo

Turkeys meleagris gallopavo are now a common sight in southern Ontario and Quebec, and they are continuing to expand their range. An adult turkey can have more than 6,000 feathers. The historic range of wild turkeys in Canada was probably limited to southern Ontario and Quebec.

AMERICAN ROBIN

turdus migratorius

The American Robin turdus migratorius is one of the best-known birds in North America. It was given its name by the early settlers, who thought that, with its reddish breast, it resembled the English Robin. However, the American Robin is a thrush, not a robin, and except for the colour of its breast, it does not look like the small brown European bird. 

SNOWSHOE HARE

lepus americanus

The snowshoe hare lepus americanus, one of our commonest forest mammals, is found only in North America. It is shy and secretive, often undetected in summer, but its distinctive tracks and well-used trails become conspicuous with the first snowfall.

BUMBLE BEE

bombus

Bees bombus are winged, often hairy, pollen-gathering insects of the Hymenoptera order. Many consider bumble bees to be the most important group of pollinators. Pollinators are animals that transfer pollen between plants, allowing fertilization, which is essential to fruit and seed production. Almost 80% of all flowering plants depend on pollinators to help them transfer their pollen.

MONARCH BUTTERFLY

danaus plexippus

With its bright colours, large size, and slow powerful flight, the monarch danaus plexippus is probably the most widely recognized of all North American butterflies. The bright orange wings, which span 93 to 105 mm, have a thick black border containing two rows of white spots. Male monarchs also have two highly visible black spots on their hind wings. The bands of black on the wing veins are wider on the female monarch. 

BLUE JAY

cyanocitta cristata

The Blue Jay cyanocitta cristata is a little larger than an American Robin, about 30 cm in length from the tip of its bill to the tip of its tail. A white-faced bird with a blue crest, back, wings, and tail, it is strongly marked with black and white. Male and female Blue Jays are very similar in appearance. The crest, an elongated crown of feathers found in many jays, is raised or lowered according to the bird’s mood. In moments of high excitement and aggression the crest may be fully erected, forming a prominent peak. When the Blue Jay is greatly surprised or excited, the crest points forward. If the bird is frightened, the crest bristles out like a bottle brush. The Blue Jay’s crest position, when erected, is emphasized by a black band that crosses over the back of the head, a continuation of the broad band or necklace across the chest. However, when the bird is feeding among other jays, when it is ready to flee, or when it is quietly resting, the crest is laid flat on top of the head, giving the bird a quite different and somewhat untidy appearance.