There is certainly no shortage of forest-dwelling birds in and around Williams lake. Well known for its rich forested areas, the Cariboo region is home to a diverse array of beautiful birds. This is especially true right here in the Alex Fraser Research Forest, which has recorded over 132 bird species on site. With a total of 9,802 hectares, occupied mostly by Douglas fir and western red cedars, the forest provides a wonderful outdoor landscape to spot a bounty of birds.
In this article, we’ll provide tips for identifying local birds and highlight some of the most common species you can expect to see in the forested areas of Williams Lake. Plus, we’ll touch on the importance of forest habitats for birds and how kids can help contribute to their conservation.
Identifying Birds in Williams Lake
Whether you’re new to birding or a lifelong enthusiast, observing birds in their natural habitat is a great way to inspire curiosity and adventure as you explore the forest. It can also connect you with a welcoming community that shares your passion for nature.
In our article about local birdwatching, we included information about what birders need to get started, the best places and times of year to find birds in the region, and some helpful online resources and apps to enhance your birding experience. iNaturalist is one of our favourites as it’s a great resource to discover which birds are commonly found in the region.
Where You’ll Find Forest Birds
Look low, look high, and everywhere in between. Birds of BC can sometimes be tough to spot in forests, but with a little patience and some tips for where to look, you’ll be seeing them in no time. Forest birds can often be found foraging among leaves, fallen trees, and bushes where food and shelter abound. Water sources such as rivers and streams also attract birds for drinking and bathing. Be sure to scan the treetops too – many forest species nest in tree cavities or build their nests high in the forest’s canopy to avoid predators. Dead trees are especially ideal for spotting woodpeckers and owls.
Listen Before You Look
In dense forested areas, it’s often easier to locate a bird by sound first, then by sight. So try to be as quiet as possible, limit your movement and keep your ears peeled as you make your way through the forest. A great resource we like to use with our programs here at Wild & Immersive is the Merlin Bird ID app. By selecting your location, the app provides a list and photos of rare and common birds within your area. Even more impressive, it can help you ID the birds around you based on their call!
Common Bird Behaviours in Forests
While different species of forest-dwelling birds have nuanced traits, they share some common behaviours as well. Because forests often feature dense vegetation, forest birds have adapted specific behaviours that help them gather food, communicate, and stay out of danger. Where visibility is limited in forests, they rely on their calls to protect their territory and attract mates. When it comes to feeding, many forest birds move vertically through the forest to catch insects and some species will store seeds and nuts to help them get through the colder months.
Another interesting fact about forest birds is that they like to intermingle and stick together for mutual benefit. Different species will often fly together in the same flock to increase their chances of finding food, and they may also join together to ward off predators.
Keep an Eye (and Ear) Out for These Local Birds
Depending on the season, there are a myriad of forest-dwelling bird species you might observe in the Williams Lake area. These are some of the most common birds you’re likely to find, along with a description of their sights and sounds to help you along the way.
Black-capped Chickadee
Sight: The Black-capped Chickadee is a small songbird with unique markings. Just like the name suggests, it has black head, along with white cheeks, a small black bill and black bib. It has grayish wings and a white belly with light-brown sides.
Sound: Chickadees are known for their “chickadee-dee-dee” call. But did you know they increase the number of “dee” notes when they’re in danger?
Dark-eyed Junco
Sight: These mid-sized sparrows can be recognized by their round dark head and small light bill. They are mostly slate-grey with a white-ish belly.
Sound: While male Dark-eyed Juncos can produce loud and lengthy musical trills that can be heard from far away, both males and females also create a mix of quieter whistles, warbles, and shorter sharp calls that can only be heard nearby.
Common Raven
Sight: Known for being one of the smartest of all birds, Ravens are black with shaggy throat feathers and a wedged tail. Compared to crows, they are larger with a bigger bill.
Sound: Ravens have a wide variety of different calls, from low croaks to knocking sounds and higher pitched alarms. They can also mimic the sounds of other birds. Their calls can be heard across long distances.
Northern Flicker
Sight: Northern Flickers are beautiful birds that are on the larger side for woodpeckers. Their black bib, spotted belly and the red patch on the back of their head makes them unmistakable.
Sound: A Northern Flicker’s song is loud with a distinctive rattle and high-pitched tone that can last up to 8 seconds. Flickers also make loud but short calls that sound like “kyeer”.
Song Sparrow
Sight: One of the most common sparrows in the region, Song Sparrows are a reddish-brown and grey bird with strips of colour across a white chest.
Sound: Song Sparrows have a loud and clanking song that starts with spaced notes and ends in a buzz. They also use a range of sharp “chip” calls to signal distress.
Red-breasted Nuthatch
Sight: Red-breasted Nuthatches have short tails, sharp bills and a distinctive black stripe across their eyes. Males have a rust-coloured belly, while females are paler in colour.
Sound: The song of Red-breasted Nuthatches includes rapid, hornlike notes that sound like “yank-yank”. They often sing six or more in a row and repeat the pattern frequently (up to 16 times per minute).
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Sight: The Yellow-rumper Warbler is a rounded bird that is mainly grey and black with recognizable yellow patches on its throat and sides.
Sound: While males have a slow and whistled warble song, the most common and easily identifiable call for both male and females is a sharp “chek” sound.
The Importance of Forest Habitats for Birds
Forest habitats are essential for birds, supporting a wide range of species from the forest floor to the upper canopy. Diverse forests like the Alex Fraser Research Forest, with its mix of tree types, foster even greater bird biodiversity. Across all four seasons, forests provide vital sources of food (such as insects and seeds), shelter, and nesting sites that birds depend on to survive. These environments also create reliable conditions for breeding, migration stopovers, and much needed protection from predators and harsh weather.
How Kids Can Contribute to Bird Conservation
Birding helps kids understand why it’s so crucial to protect our forests and the creatures that inhabit them. By engaging in activities like bird watching, recording sightings, and submitting observations to platforms like eBird or local conservation programs, kids can learn about the environment while having a real impact on conservation efforts.
Birds Canada has a number of Citizen Science Initiatives that encourage participants to actively contribute to conservation by sharing bird sightings through their research and monitoring programs. One of their most popular and longest running programs is the Christmas Bird Count which takes place over three weeks in December and January. Birdcount.org is another fantastic resource for budding birders which features an interactive map of local and global birding events.
Get Out There and Spot Some Birds Today
Whether you’re joining us here at the Alex Fraser Research Forest in Williams Lake or visiting another BC forest, you’ll find that birding is the year-round, nature-based activity that people of all ages can enjoy. It’s an opportunity to slow down, be present, and observe the natural world around you. So get outside, look and listen for birds in a local forest near you!
Searching for some birding guidance? Wild & Immersive offers a Birding and Bird Ecology course at the Malcolm Knapp Research Forest in Maple Ridge. The course features an online component that is open to anyone, and can be done remotely if you’re not local to the area. Get details and register here.
