OFO MattersTop

Can anyone join the OFO?

Yes. Please see out Membership page under the About Us section for details.

Can anyone attend club outings?

No. Outings are for our members and their guests only.

Can you post a link to our bird friendly B&B on your site?

No, we cannot. We get too many requests of this nature to be able to handle any of them.

I am going to be camping around Lake Superior end of June and am wondering if, among all the publications listed, you could help me reduce it down to about two particularly about “hotspots”. Anything you could recommend would be gratefully received.

I would recommend you get a copy of Clive Goodwin’s Birdfinding Guide to Ontario.

I was wondering if homeowners and businesses are allowed to remove abandoned nests from their property once the young have hatched and left the nesting site? Is there any legislation or reference that supports this?

In general I would say yes that homeowners and businesses are allowed to remove old nests after the nesting season from their properties, but cannot keep nests of species protected under The Migratory Birds Convention Act. There are some grey areas. Check with your local MNR office in the blue pages and CWS (905-336-6410 during office hours) regarding nest sites and habitat of Species at Risk to be on the safe side.

PhotoTop

I am enthralled with your great photos wondering if some one might give me some tips on what to purchase for photo equipment preferably digital to get the same quality pictures of birds with the lens. Would anyone there know what the best digital camera is for taking pictures of birds and other nature? We haven't purchased a camera yet, and we would appreciate any input.

There is no best camera for taking photos of birds. Each photographer has a different preference. See Photo Galleries which sometimes mentions the camera used. It depends on how much you want to spend. Point-and-shoot digital cameras are at the cheaper end of the price range but results can be acceptable if you buy a top end point-and-shoot. Digital SLR cameras produce the best quality photos and cost thousands of dollars depending on which body and lens you buy. Generally the more you spend on a camera the better the photos will be. Take hundreds of photos and learn by experience. Also join a photography club or take a course.

Care of BirdsTop

Today I have found what I think is an American Kestrel, dead, on my front porch near several bird feeders that we have on our front lawn. I am not sure the reason of it's demise, but think maybe it flew into the front of our house. I am wondering if this bird would be wanted by some organization as it seems to be in perfect state of preserve. A beautiful specimen. Can you please advise before I must dispose of this bird?

The contact is the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources office in Aurora: (905) 713-7400.

When I arrived home from work today, I was saddened to find a beautiful bird close to my house that seems to be an Oriole of some sort. To my surprise I looked around and there was another one lying deceased in my driveway. I was very concerned and immediately called the Public Health department but they were not concerned and passed me on to animal services. They advised me that there is no bird watch at this time and to just put the birds in the garbage. What should I be doing about this?

These are probably window kills. Public Health gave you the correct advice to dispose of them. You could take them to the ROM but they're likely decaying already.

Is there any info on what to do with an injured bird? They sometimes hit the window and die but today one hit my window and was still alive. I wasn't sure what to do and the Humane Society was closed. I put a box over it with a small opening to keep it warm as it was very cold and windy. It did eventually come out and hop around. It didn't fly away even when I came outside, until I approached more closely. I would appreciate any info for future reference.

The best technique with injured birds that fly into windows is to place them on Kleenex in a closed cardboard box with 2 or 3 small air holes. Put the box in a quite dark place for a few hours or overnight if late afternoon. Do not check it. Let the bird rest and recover without stress. To release the bird don't open the box inside to avoid it escaping and crashing around in your home. Take the box outside. Open it facing the light near its habitat. The bird will either fly out or it will have died of its injuries. Dead birds can be returned to their habitat or wrapped in a plastic bag and put in the garbage. Dispose of the box and wash up.

The Fatal Light Awareness Program (FLAP) has a page on How to Help an injured bird that has lots of good advice, including links to the Toronto Wildlife Centre

My daughter was in a wooded area and heard the cries of a bird yesterday. They saw two ravens flying in the area so assumed that a bird may have fallen from a nest and stayed away. Upon investigation they saw what appeared to be a baby raven by now very hungry. Is it legal for us to be assisting this bird?

Ravens are protected by Ontario’s Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act and cannot be kept in captivity or as a pet without a permit. However, you are not violating the law by temporally caring for it with the intent of releasing it as soon as possible. I recommend contacting your local office of the Ministry of Natural Resources.

Not sure if you can advise me, but I am interested in what constitutes interference with habitat.. We have THREE bald eagles living nearby and with these windmills going in - does that constitute a threat to this endangered species?

Birds and windmills are a very confusing matter. I suggest that you call the local MNR office (in blue pages) and ask to speak to the Species at Risk biologist.

"Interference with habitat" is not used in the new Act. See Section 10 (1) copied below.

10. (1) No person shall damage or destroy the habitat of, (a) a species that is listed on the Species at Risk in Ontario List as an endangered or threatened species;

Definition of habitat becomes the problem. Unless a description of Bald Eagle habitat is specifically defined in the regulations (it isn't), then damage and destroy (wording in new Act) usually refer to the nest or area immediately around the nest.

New Act here.

Can you quote me a law that states it is illegal to destroy eggs in a nest? Is this in the Migratory Birds Convention Act (Federal), or is it part of any Provincial or Federal Criminal Code? Every year at LaSalle Park marina in Burlington, someone smashes all the Canada Geese eggs right in front of the nesting female.

Canada Geese are protected by the federal Migratory Birds Convention Act. However, the Canadian Wildlife Service (CWS) occasionally issues permits to control geese that are considered a problem or nuisance. Get the name of the person and description, licence plate, make of vehicle, etc. and check with the enforcement section of CWS. You can leave a message to return your call if you don’t get through to a live person at 905-336-6410. The CWS office is near you at 867 Lakeshore Road, Burlington, Ontario L7R 4A6. Keep in mind that when a complaint is made that enforcement agencies often don’t get back to you with an outcome. Perhaps go directly to the office on a week day and talk to an enforcement officer.

OwnershipTop

I am a Metis woman, who was given eagle feathers by her now-estranged status Indian husband. He received them from the local MNR (I was with him). An eagle had been caught in a trap and he was given the eagle with a ‘certificate’ or something he signed. When we were taking it apart he gave me the feathers. Am I able to keep these feathers? I have made them into a fan and they are very special to me and are used in traditional ceremonies only. I know I can’t take them into the US, but I’m wondering about here.

The eagle feathers you were given by your previous husband are legally yours in Ontario. The legal owner of eagle feathers is prohibited by law to sell them, but can give them as a gift to another person. You are correct about not taking your eagle feathers into the United States. It is prohibited under US laws protecting eagles. However, you can take them to other parts of Canada because you are the legal owner under Ontario law.

I have a question about who would be entitled to ownership of a Bald Eagle if it was struck and killed by a car or train. If someone reported and claimed it but another person picked it up before the first person could, who would have a legal right to own that bird and get a permit. Do you have any information concerning a situation like this?

You did not mention where the eagle was killed by a car or train. Each province has different laws regulating eagles. In Ontario you must take the eagle to an office of the provincial Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR). Before you can possess it legally, you must explain to the MNR how and where the eagle was obtained and it would be inspected by a conservation officer or biologist to determine the cause of death. If it passes inspection, the MNR issues a permit called a “Certificate of Reporting” in your name. The certificate (permit) is needed to have it mounted by a taxidermist. Please note that in Ontario it is unlawful to sell the eagle or trade it for any consideration. However, it can be legally given to another person or donated to a museum, school, etc.

The second part of your question is more difficult to answer. If you accidentally killed the eagle with your car, you would have first choice of ownership provided the above MNR conditions are met. If it were hit by a passing train, then the person who gets it first normally would have the right to own it subject to MNR approval. If there is a disagreement about ownership, the MNR can give you advice. Please note that wild eagles in Ontario are crown property of province unless a permit is issued. If the MNR finds any evidence that the eagle was not killed accidentally or that it died unnaturally, then it remains crown property.

Disclaimer: The above is only for your general information. It must not be considered as legal advice. Please contact the provincial government where the eagle was found.

Would it be legal to buy a mounted snowy owl at auction in Ontario? Does the auction house and/or the buyer need any certificate/permit/license to do so?

Generally it is illegal to buy or sell wildlife, but there are exceptions. It’s always best to phone your local MNR office and ask to speak to a conservation officer or contact main office in Peterborough at 1-800-667-1940. Explain your question and you should be transferred to an appropriate person.

I have a question about Eagle Feathers. I live in Ontario, Canada and I have Native Status and went to a local zoo, they had bald eagles and as the eagles dropped their feathers the zoo keeper picked them up and sold them to me. Which I didn't have a problem paying for them. My question is: Can I give the feathers as a gift to a non-native?

It would be best to ask a conservation officer at your local MNR office. Or call 1-800-667-1940 or visit https://www.ontario.ca/feedback/contact-us to ask for information.

Would you happen to know where I can obtain a permit to keep a swan? I've been trying to find where, but have had no luck.

Contact the Canadian Wildlife Service (wildlife.ontario@ec.gc.ca). It depends on the species and the CWS is reluctant to grant permits unless you can make a strong case that you should be able to keep a native swan.

Also contact the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources (https://www.ontario.ca/feedback/contact-us). Mute Swans are now not covered by federal law so you should contact MNR about that and other exotic species.

HealthTop

I live on the shores of Lake Ontario in Oakville, and I have heard that there is an increase in the botulism poisoning in the lake. This seems to be very evident this spring as I have seen virtually no wildfowl and no new broods on the lake. There have also been reports of dead birds being washed up on the shores.

Please could you advise me whether this is correct and if so do you know what is being done about it, both at Provincial and Federal level.

I am not aware of botulism being found on the lake yet this year. It usually starts to show up in August and September when water temperatures are more favourable. Most of the waterfowl analysis is being conducted at the University of Guelph and a search of their website may provide you with additional information. As for waterfowl broods, most should be hatched out by now in southern Ontario. I am not sure what the numbers are like this year but around the GTA we expect to see considerable predation and waterfowl control measures.