Bird Watching in Maple Ridge, BC

Maple Ridge offers many opportunities for bird watching enthusiasts and beginners alike with ecosystems such as forests, wetlands, lakes, rivers, tributaries, community parks and urban backyards.

Depending in which type of ecosystem you are in, you will find different types of birds that like to dwell in those specific areas. The time of year will also influence which bird species you will likely see, as some birds like to overwinter here in the temperate climate of the west coast and some will overwinter in warmer areas such as Mexico.

Here is a list of common bird species in Maple Ridge and their preferred ecosystems:

black capped chickadee closeup with characteristic black and white head, grey body with beige under the wings, perched on a branch; a common bird to identify when bird watching — Black-capped chickadee; Forests and backyards

stellar jay blue and black bird perched on a branch, seen while bird watching in Maple Ridge — Steller’s Jay; Forests

dark-eyed junco closeup perched on a branch with moss, with characteristic black head and brown body — Dark-eyed junco; Forests and backyards

northern flicker woodpecker bird perched on a branch with characteristic speckled chest, half-moon collar and red neck marking; seen while bird watching in maple ridge — Northern flicker; Open woodlands

closeup of common raven bird with black beak and body, perched on a dead stump with tree leaves in the background — Common raven; Forests

little brown wren bird perched on a grey-brown branch — Pacific wren; Forests

red-breasted nuthatch bird perched on a branch with a white-striped black head and rust orange chest — Red-breasted nuthatch; Forests

closeup of a sparrow bird on a branch in maple ridge — Song sparrow; Open woodlands

bird watching spotted towhee closeup with red eyes, black head and rust on the sides — Spotted towhee; Scrublands

american robin perched on a v-shaped branch, with orange-red chest, grey wings and a black head — American Robin; Open woodlands and backyards

a close up of a black crow standing on a wooden moss-covered post at the shore in vancouver — Northwestern crow; Open woodlands

closeup of a starling bird with yellow beak and black speckled body — European starling; Urban areas

Here are some places in Maple Ridge that are great for bird watching:

Are you interested in bird watching but not sure where to start?

Consider downloading the Merlin Bird ID app by Cornell Lab on your smartphone. Download the Canada: West bird pack to use the app no matter where you are. The app will let you use Photo ID, Sound ID, or search through a list of birds in your area to identify the birds you are seeing and hearing.

Interested in using your skills to do some citizen science?

The Great Backyard Bird Count, hosted by Cornell Lab, Audubon and Birds Canada, is an international event held every February. This year, the global event will be held February 17^th– 20^th, 2023 . Spend time in your favorite places watching birds and in as little as 15 minutes notice the birds around you. Identify them, count them, and submit them through their website or the Merlin Bird ID app to help scientists better understand and protect birds around the world.

Also, keep an eye out for Special Events through Wild and Immersive such as the Birding and Bird Ecology event on May 24, 2023 in Maple Ridge.

Happy birding!

Bird Watching in Maple Ridge

Here is a list of common bird species in Maple Ridge and their preferred ecosystems:

Here are some places in Maple Ridge that are great for bird watching:

Are you interested in bird watching but not sure where to start?

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