Birds are almost certainly some of the most watched and beloved of Canada's wildlife species. In fields and forests, along rivers and coastlines, in city parks and even our backyards billions of individual birds representing 451 species inhabit the skies and wild spaces of Canada.
In addition to the natural beauty and species diversity they offer, birds also serve an important purpose. Birds do a fabulous job of helping our ecosystems run smoothly. They help limit insect populations, pollinate plants and disperse seeds. In cases involving vultures, crows and other carrion-eating birds, they also clean up the messes made by humans and other organisms.