Birds of the Salish Sea – PT 1

Cerorhinca monocerata

The Rhinoceros Auklet, a close relative of the puffin, nests on North Pacific islands, often forming colonies that range from just a few pairs to several thousand. Unlike puffins, this grayish bird lacks vibrant colours, but it has a unique feature—a small, vertical horn on its orange bill. Recently discovered to be fluorescent, this horn likely plays a role in communication and attracting prey, contributing to the auklet’s distinctive name and striking appearance.

Phalacrocorax pelagicus

Pelagic cormorants use their wings to manoeuvre and hover briefly over the water while searching for fish. When they spot their prey, they dive with precision, tucking their wings close to their body to reduce drag and streamline their shape. This streamlined form allows them to dive quickly and efficiently. Unlike many seabirds, pelagic cormorants have less waterproof feathers, which become waterlogged when they dive. This adaptation helps them dive better but requires them to spend extra time drying their wings later on.

Ardea herodias fannini

Although we spot Pacific Great Blue Herons in Victoria all the time, it’s important to recognize that their frequent presence doesn’t tell the whole story. The Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada has officially designated the Pacific Great Blue Heron as “vulnerable.” This status highlights the challenges these birds face despite their apparent abundance in certain areas. Factors such as habitat loss, human disturbances, and environmental changes have all contributed to their dire situation. While we continue to enjoy their graceful presence, it’s crucial to remain mindful of the conservation efforts needed to ensure their survival for future generations.

Haematopus bachmani

Black Oystercatchers are striking coastal birds commonly found along British Columbia’s rugged shorelines. With their bright orange bills, red eyes, and black plumage, they are easily recognizable as they forage along rocky shores for shellfish, primarily mussels and limpets. These birds are vital indicators of intertidal ecosystem health, as they are highly sensitive to environmental changes. Black Oystercatchers are monogamous and known to nest on isolated beaches or rocky outcrops, often returning to the same site year after year. Despite their resilience, they face threats from habitat disturbance and rising sea levels, making their conservation crucial to maintaining the health of BC’s coastal ecosystems.

Fratercula cirrhata

Puffins are a rare sight in the Salish Sea. They’re most often seen during their short breeding period, which lasts from late Spring to early Summer. During the breeding season, tufted puffins form monogamous pairs and engage in elaborate courtship displays, such as head-bobbing, wing-stretching and gift-giving. During this breeding season, they attain distinctive tufts of yellow feathers that curl backwards on either side of their heads, along with vibrant orange bills. Puffins lay a single egg in ground burrows or natural crevices. Both parents share incubation and feeding duties. Their diet is mostly fish, but they also eat crustaceans and small marine invertebrates. Puffins are skilled divers and can reach depths of up to 200 feet (60 meters).