Calgary, from its expansive Fish Creek Provincial Park to the bustling downtown area, is known for its bird-friendly environment. The city’s dedication to supporting both local and migratory bird populations has led to its recertification by Nature Canada as a bird-friendly city. This certification acknowledges Calgary’s efforts in promoting harmonious coexistence with birds and implementing measures to safeguard them from various urban threats.
Initially certified as a bird-friendly city in 2021, alongside Vancouver, Toronto, and London, Ont., Calgary was recently recertified in 2023, making it the first city in Canada to achieve three certifications in total.
John McFaul, the chair of Bird Friendly Calgary, highlighted the city’s initiatives in addressing threats to birds. Among these threats, window collisions and cat predation are identified as the top concerns for urban bird populations. Statistics from the Government of Canada reveal that window collisions account for the deaths of millions of birds annually across the country.
Although the City of Calgary does not mandate bird-safe windows, encouraging residents to turn off lights at night or mark windows has proven effective in reducing bird collisions. The Responsible Pet Ownership Bylaw also plays a crucial role in mitigating cat-related bird fatalities by requiring cats to remain on their owner’s property.
Another significant threat to birds is light pollution, which can disrupt migratory patterns. Calgary has taken steps to minimize light pollution by replacing streetlights with LED bulbs throughout the city.
In addition to these efforts, Calgary boasts ample greenspaces, with over 8,500 hectares of natural areas providing ideal habitats for birds to thrive. Nearly 300 local and migratory bird species can be spotted in Calgary year-round.
Autumn Jordan, who oversees the Bird Friendly City program for Nature Canada, commended Calgary for its proactive approach to bird conservation. With grasslands dominating Calgary’s ecosystem, a habitat essential for many bird species, the city’s conservation efforts play a vital role in aiding bird populations, which have faced significant declines due to human activities.
Calgary’s commitment to bird-friendly practices sets a positive example for other municipalities across Canada. Individuals can also contribute to bird conservation by taking simple actions like marking windows to prevent collisions. Calgary joins 36 other certified bird-friendly municipalities in Canada, including Edmonton, Devon, and Strathcona County in Alberta.