Two birds rule the roost: Kingston chooses cardinal and crow as joint official City Birds
It’s a caw – er, draw! You voted on who should be Kingston’s official City Bird, and both the cardinal and the crow received the most votes. They will jointly share the title as Kingston’s official City Birds.
Bird enthusiasts flocked to the polls to have their say. The survey, which included 16 local bird species to choose from, received more than 1,650 votes.
The top five birds were:
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Cardinal & Crow: 339 votes each
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Red-winged Blackbird: 140 votes
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Blue Jay: 104
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Mourning Dove: 91
More information about the engagement process can be found at Get Involved Kingston.
The new City Birds were announced at the Kingston Fall Birding Festival on Oct. 11 as part of World Migratory Bird Day.
“It’s clear based on the response to this engagement that Kingstonians care about our feathered citizens,” says Karen Santucci, Director of Public Works and Solid Waste. “This dual designation of both cardinal and crow as City Birds will serve as a reminder that Kingston is committed to promoting awareness of local species and protecting birds and their habitats.”
Naming an official City Bird supports Kingston’s application to be recognized as a certified Bird-Friendly City. Being bird-friendly means making the environment safe and welcoming for birds, which can include planting native plants, providing clean water and reducing common risks.
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City of Kingston
City Hall
216 Ontario Street
Kingston, ON K7L 2Z3
Canada
contactus@cityofkingston.ca
Phone: 613-546-0000
The City of Kingston acknowledges that we are on the traditional homeland of the Anishinabek, Haudenosaunee, and the Huron-Wendat, and thanks these nations for their care and stewardship over this shared land.
Today, the City is committed to working with Indigenous peoples and all residents to pursue a united path of reconciliation.
Learn more about the City's reconciliation initiatives.
