Birding in British Columbia
A hub for birding information for British Columbia, Canada. Featuring Rare Bird Alerts, directory to nature clubs and online birding groups, birding forums, and more.
Rare Bird Alert
Where to go?
British Columbia is a vast and diverse natural region of Canada located on the Pacific Flyway that hosts many world renowned birding locations.
From offshore pelagics to high alpine plateau, from temperate rainforests to pocket deserts, from coastal bays and inlets to rolling prairie, British Columbia has it all.
Choose where to go based in the species you wish to see !
Visitor Information
Recommended Binoculars
Nikon Monarchs (Nikon M7 or Nikon M5) are a popular choice among birders as they offer a good balance between quality optics and price. The M7 is waterproof and protects the bins better from water, dust/sand, bumps and knocks. Get the M5s if you mostly bird in fair weather and on easy trails.
8x42 magnification is the sweet spot for most birders, as more magnification is not better. If you have sharp eyes and really steady hands, you can try 10x42 to get that extra zoom. When increasing magnificaiton, you sacrifice field of view so there is a trade off.
Bird Photography
- Oct 31 2025 Photo Challenge - All BC Birds! (188)
- Sep 22 2025 Bird Challenge: Current Bird List (9)
- Jul 21 SPECTACULAR Birds from Brazil... (1)
- May 08 A Few Funky Chickens, Ptarmigan and Grouse... (1)
- Jan 01 2024 Photo Challenge - All BC Birds! (209)
- Dec 17 2024 Bird Challenge: Current Bird List (11)
- Dec 11 Red-tailed Hawk with strange field marking... (4)
- Oct 21 Birds from the Land Down Under (1)
Birder's Corner
- Aug 25 Sandhill Cranes (1)
- Nov 29 Rob Butler at Outer Shores Lodge, Bamfield, ... (1)
- Sep 18 Rookie Backyard Bird Lover (2)
- Aug 13 american white pelican (1)
- May 05 OWL Open House May 4 & 5 2024 (2)
- Feb 17 Birdhouse (1)
Birding in the News
Sep 06, 2025 | Coast Reporter
Sep 05, 2025 | CHEK News
Nov 01, 2025 | Richmond News
Oct 02, 2025 | CBC
Sep 15, 2025 | Niagara-on-the-Lake Local
November Birding Tips
Arrival of most wintering species.
- Most species have moved down off the mountains into to lower areas in search of food and a warmer climate. Fewer species occupy the upper forests at this time of year.
- Similar species may join mixed flocks and flock together. Look for a rare bird mixed with common species.
- Good places to search include berry bushes and trees. Check Aspens, Arbutus, Blackberry and other fruiting plants.
- Check harvested farm fields, mud flats, estuaries, and the sea shore for wintering shorebirds, raptors, sparrows, and other passerines.
- At dusk, listen for owls calling in or near forested areas
- Check and watch activity around bird feeders. Birds will be hungry in the morning hours and some develop feeding patterns based on the availability of food in a location.
- Scan along the tree-tops and along fence rows for a perched raptor, owl, or shrike.
- Scan lakes, bays, and open water for a variety of waterfowl species.
- On a stormy day, check grass fields for gulls
Good time to go out birding as leaves have fallen for most trees making birds more visible.
Recommended Bird Finding Guide Books for BC
The Sibley Guide to Birds, 2nd Edition
The most comprehensive bird guide available for North America.
Excellent illustrations, detailed information on bird behaviour and distribution.
Field Guide to North American Birds
Best-selling North American bird field guide is the most up-to-date guide on the market.
Compact, good colour plates and many rare species covered in this bird identification book.
Kaufman Field Guide to Advanced Birding
A guide for the more experienced birder, this book covers advanced identification techniques.
Great for those who want to take their birding skills to the next level.
Birding in British Columbia is a BC Birding resource and community message board maintained by Kevin Slagboom | About