Common bird species

Key facts

• Appearance: 50 to 127cm long with a black and white head and neck and a light tan body
• Location: Nest in low areas with lots of open water to provide them with safety such as islands or shorelines
• Food: Feed on vegetation, grains, and aquatic plants
• Habits: Migrate south when the ground begins to freeze in fall and then to their breeding grounds in spring — often seen flying in V-shaped formation
• Life cycle: Goslings may leave nest as soon as 24 hours after they hatch

The House sparrow is a significant pest to the food industry because of the risk of contamination from their droppings and the damage done to packaged goods.

Key facts

• Appearance: Males have a grey crown on their heads and black throat ‘bib’, while females and young are mostly plain brown — both less than 15cm long
• Location: Found indoors and any small, tight protected openings such as those in corrugated steel, dryer vents, building signs and lighting
• Food: Mostly eat seeds but will also eat insects, fruits, and plants
• Habits: Can be aggressive when defending their nest, which is used every year, resulting in a build-up of nest debris and insects
• Life cycle: Breeding season runs through spring and summer and young sparrows leave the nest at about 2 weeks of age

Key facts

• Appearance: 20-23cm long and appear to be plain black at first sight, but become iridescent green or purple when feathers catch the light; recognized by their pointed wings and short tail
• Location: An agricultural pest of standing crops, but will also flock into cities in large numbers, nesting in tree cavities or buildings
• Food: Largely feed on insects but will also eat seeds, grains, nuts, and berries
• Habits: The concentration of droppings from a large roosting flock provides a good medium for pathogenic fungi, but can be harmful or even fatal to humans
• Life cycle: Breed in April and May and young starlings leave the nest at about 3 weeks of age