Move aside, robins: These early birds are getting the spring worms
Spring is here, Ontario! Don’t hear the robins yet? Listen for these other early birds instead!
Robins are the unofficial avian mascot of spring, but did you know that they aren’t the first birds to return to Ontario for the season? If you listen closely, you may hear another common bird ‘caw’ing back to Ontario early.
That’s right: American crows actually make their way back to Ontario for the spring before robins do!
While both bird species can be spotted throughout the province year-round, the majority of them fly south for the winter in search of better weather and food.
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Crows, however, begin their migration back up north in mid- to late February, unlike robins, who wait until closer to mid-March to make their grand entrance.
Why are robins associated with spring?
March is a changeable month when we begin to see temperatures warm up and the days get longer. In fact, March 1 is the start of meteorological spring.
Robins, which are common birds and easily identifiable, happen to return during this changeable period right before spring comes into full bloom and warmth. They are also most abundant across backyards in the spring and early summer, as this is their breeding season.
This correlation between spring weather and the return of robins has thus paved the way for the iconic thrush to become known as the ‘harbingers of spring.’ And unlike crows, robins don’t have a bad reputation for digging through garbage and causing a ruckus with their loud calls.
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Other early birds that get the spring worm
Crows aren’t the only birds to make extra early entrances to Ontario each year. Other common birds, like red-winged blackbirds and common grackles, can also be heard around late February and early March.
You may also see an increase in the number of ring-billed gulls hanging out in your local parking lots in the early spring, as well as hear the iconic honking of Canada geese in nearby parks or fields.
Be sure to keep your eyes and ears open as even more migratory birds make their way back to Ontario in the coming weeks, filling the air with their lovely tweets, chirps, and caws after a quiet and cold winter.
Thumbnail image: File photo from Canva Pro.