birds

A black oystercatcher in south Oak Bay is pictured hunting for food between Victoria Golf Club and Kitty Islet. Waterfowl and raptors remain the wild bird groups at highest risk of avian flu, which has emerged in various species in B.C. since February. (Evert Lindquist/News Staff)

National avian flu outbreak launches B.C. bird feeder safety debate

BCSPCA says feeders and baths pose risk, others says chief concern is protecting poultry

 

Bald eagle populations in the southwestern part of the province are suffering (Courtesy Photo / Jack Beedle).

B.C. bald eagle nest success threatened amid avian influenza outbreaks

Province is monitoring troublesome conditions for eagles in southwestern B.C.

 

A baby red-tailed hawk, right, originally captured as live food for an eaglet, left, has become part of a family of eagles on Gabriola Island. The eagles are feeding and caring for it after the eaglet wouldn’t kill it when it was brought to the nest in early June. (Photo courtesy Sharron Palmer-Hunt)

From food to family member: Baby B.C. hawk goes from eagle bait to roommate

Red-tailed hawklet brought to the nest as food instead gets adopted by eagles near Nanaimo

 

Male Redwing Blackbirds have distinct patches of red on their wings (File Photo)

Celebrating fathers of all species around the Okanagan

Happy Father’s Day to all kinds of dads

Male Redwing Blackbirds have distinct patches of red on their wings (File Photo)
Avian flu has been confirmed among some Canada geese at Mill Lake Park in Abbotsford. (Vikki Hopes/Abbotsford News)

Avian flu confirmed in Canada geese at Abbotsford park

Wildlife centre is receiving almost-daily calls about ill or dead birds

Avian flu has been confirmed among some Canada geese at Mill Lake Park in Abbotsford. (Vikki Hopes/Abbotsford News)
An image commuter Zahra Ahmdz says she took at the Stadium-Chinatown SkyTrain station on March 22, 2022 appears to show a pigeon dead inside a cage. (Credit: Zahra Ahmdz)

Dead pigeons in SkyTrain cages not neglect but caused by hawk killings: pest control company

More than 2,000 people have signed a petition over concerns arouund the dead birds

An image commuter Zahra Ahmdz says she took at the Stadium-Chinatown SkyTrain station on March 22, 2022 appears to show a pigeon dead inside a cage. (Credit: Zahra Ahmdz)
The B.C. Government has received reports of suspected avian flu in pelicans across the Cariboo. (Kelly Sinoski photo — 100 Mile Free Press)

Colonies of endangered pelicans in Northern B.C. test positive for avian flu

Reports of sick pelicans in the Cariboo at Williams Lake, Alkali, Puntzi and Bouchie lakes.

The B.C. Government has received reports of suspected avian flu in pelicans across the Cariboo. (Kelly Sinoski photo — 100 Mile Free Press)
FILE - A chicken looks in the barn at Honey Brook Farm in Schuylkill Haven, Pa., on April 18, 2022. An outbreak of avian flu is forcing farmers to cull their flocks and leading to concerns about even higher food prices. While it doesn’t pose much of a threat to humans, the outbreak is prompting a new wave of some of the same conspiracy theories that emerged from the COVID-19 pandemic. (Lindsey Shuey/Republican-Herald via AP, File)

VIDEO: Bird flu hatches conspiracy theories amid COVID-19

Conspiracy theorists claim bird flu isn’t real and emerged from the COVID-19 pandemic

FILE - A chicken looks in the barn at Honey Brook Farm in Schuylkill Haven, Pa., on April 18, 2022. An outbreak of avian flu is forcing farmers to cull their flocks and leading to concerns about even higher food prices. While it doesn’t pose much of a threat to humans, the outbreak is prompting a new wave of some of the same conspiracy theories that emerged from the COVID-19 pandemic. (Lindsey Shuey/Republican-Herald via AP, File)
One of Stanley Park’s first blue heron chicks of 2022 pokes its mohawked head out from its nest. (Courtesy of Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation)

Live camera captures first Stanley Park blue heron chicks of 2022

Winter weather, eagle raids made for tough nesting season, says Vancouver parks board

One of Stanley Park’s first blue heron chicks of 2022 pokes its mohawked head out from its nest. (Courtesy of Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation)
Small flock owners can access key info on avian influenza from a just released outreach document from the B.C. agriculture ministry. (Angie Mindus/Williams Lake Tribune file)

Avian influenza fact sheet put together for small-flock owners after detection in B.C.

B.C. agriculture ministry reaching out to owners of small flocks across B.C.

Small flock owners can access key info on avian influenza from a just released outreach document from the B.C. agriculture ministry. (Angie Mindus/Williams Lake Tribune file)
Officials are warning about several wild birds found dead - including bald eagles - that have tested positive for avian flu. (Black Press Media file photo)

Avian flu confirmed in bald eagle found near 100 Mile House

Wild birds across B.C. testing positive for H5N1 virus

Officials are warning about several wild birds found dead - including bald eagles - that have tested positive for avian flu. (Black Press Media file photo)
A hummingbird gives its wings a rare rest while feeding in a North Okanagan garden. (Karen Siemens photo)

Hummingbird season is in full flight in the Okanagan

North Okanagan Naturalists Club shares tips to keep the beautiful birds coming back

  • Apr 26, 2022
A hummingbird gives its wings a rare rest while feeding in a North Okanagan garden. (Karen Siemens photo)
If you are a producer and want your flock safe, follow the guidelines to avoid Avian Influenza or bird flu.(Angie Mindus photo - Williams Lake Tribune)

B.C.’s second case of domestic avian influenza confirmed in the Okanagan

CFIA confirms a small backyard poultry flock in Kelowna tested positive for the H5N1

If you are a producer and want your flock safe, follow the guidelines to avoid Avian Influenza or bird flu.(Angie Mindus photo - Williams Lake Tribune)
Cases of avian flu have been detected on certain poultry farms in six central Alberta counties. (File photo from flickr)

Avian flu in North Okanagan creates large control zone

Canadian Food Inspection Agency infected zone includes Grindrod

Cases of avian flu have been detected on certain poultry farms in six central Alberta counties. (File photo from flickr)
Cases of avian flu have been detected on certain poultry farms in six central Alberta counties. (File photo from flickr)

Avian flu samples tested from North Okanagan farm

Canadian Food Inspection Agency says there is a high suspect premises in the regional district

Cases of avian flu have been detected on certain poultry farms in six central Alberta counties. (File photo from flickr)
Cases of avian flu have been detected on certain poultry farms in six central Alberta counties. (File photo from flickr)

UPDATE: Avian flu confirmed at Okanagan farm

Canadian Food Inspection Agency tests came back positive

Cases of avian flu have been detected on certain poultry farms in six central Alberta counties. (File photo from flickr)
Mallards, which use sleep to get through the cold, congregate in -20 C degree temperatures near the wharf in Salmon Arm’s Marine Park on Dec. 27, 2021. Birds must only be fed food appropriate to them or they will become sick. (Martha Wickett - Salmon Arm Observer)

Birds in Okanagan-Shuswap can use support during extreme cold

Access to appropriate food, water needed when usual sources frozen

Mallards, which use sleep to get through the cold, congregate in -20 C degree temperatures near the wharf in Salmon Arm’s Marine Park on Dec. 27, 2021. Birds must only be fed food appropriate to them or they will become sick. (Martha Wickett - Salmon Arm Observer)
Von Rywaczuk laughs as he cradles Halo the Swan in his arms after rescuing her from Elliot Lake. (Photo submitted)

Swan gets ‘second-chance at life’ after being rescued near 100 Mile

The swan was unable to migrate south due to an injured wing

Von Rywaczuk laughs as he cradles Halo the Swan in his arms after rescuing her from Elliot Lake. (Photo submitted)
A pair of Great Horn owlets pose majestically on their way to a rehabilitation centre outside the Boundary. Photo: Submitted

Man fined for keeping baby owls in his B.C. home

Investigating Conservation Officer says the man had the birds for two months

A pair of Great Horn owlets pose majestically on their way to a rehabilitation centre outside the Boundary. Photo: Submitted
Oliver Fire Department. (Submitted photo)

Bird takes out power and starts fire in South Okanagan

The Oliver Fire Department extinguished the early morning blaze

Oliver Fire Department. (Submitted photo)