Birds of Rivers

200 bird species have been recorded within 6 mi of the centre of Rivers (Manitoba) since 2010, across 7,354 public observation records shared through GBIF. The most recorded are Common Raven, Black-capped Chickadee and Black-billed Magpie.

Rivers is backyard-bird country: 60% of the records here are small songbirds, doves, woodpeckers and the other birds that come to feeders and yard trees. Common Raven, Black-capped Chickadee, Black-billed Magpie and American Crow make up the core of what you can expect at a feeder.

18 birds of prey are on record nearby, including Bald Eagle, Red-tailed Hawk and Hen Harrier.

Records peak in October and are lowest in February — about 55.6 times as many in the busiest month. Part of that is birds (migrants and breeding arrivals), part is people: more birders are out in good weather, so treat the curve as activity, not a census.

Minnedosa, 23 mi to the north-east, has more species on record (221 against 200). Birds logged far more often around Rivers than there include Sharp-tailed Grouse.

Daylight runs from 16 h 23 min at midsummer to 8 h 4 min at midwinter here. Sunrise is about 6:49 AM in mid-April and 5:30 AM in late June; the dawn chorus starts 30–60 minutes earlier.

Foods for the most recorded backyard birds here, from our species notes.

• Common Raven

  Peanuts in the shell · Suet scraps

• Black-capped Chickadee

  Black-oil sunflower · Suet · Shelled peanuts

• Black-billed Magpie

  Suet · Peanuts · Cracked corn

• American Crow

  Cracked corn · Peanuts in the shell · Suet scraps

• Blue Jay

  Peanuts in the shell · Black-oil sunflower · Suet

• American Robin

  Mealworms · Chopped apple and berries · Suet nuggets

• Minnedosa23 mi north-east · 221 species
• Souris29 mi south · 197 species
• Shilo31 mi south-east · 175 species
• Virden33 mi west · 165 species
• Neepawa37 mi east · 158 species
• Carberry41 mi east · 175 species