Birding in British Columbia
A hub for birding information for British Columbia, Canada. Featuring Rare Bird Alerts, directory to nature clubs and online birding groups, birding forums, and more.
Rare Bird Alert
Where to go?
British Columbia is a vast and diverse natural region of Canada located on the Pacific Flyway that hosts many world renowned birding locations.
From offshore pelagics to high alpine plateau, from temperate rainforests to pocket deserts, from coastal bays and inlets to rolling prairie, British Columbia has it all.
Choose where to go based in the species you wish to see !
Visitor Information
Recommended Binoculars
Nikon Monarchs (Nikon M7 or Nikon M5) are a popular choice among birders as they offer a good balance between quality optics and price. The M7 is waterproof and protects the bins better from water, dust/sand, bumps and knocks. Get the M5s if you mostly bird in fair weather and on easy trails.
8x42 magnification is the sweet spot for most birders, as more magnification is not better. If you have sharp eyes and really steady hands, you can try 10x42 to get that extra zoom. When increasing magnificaiton, you sacrifice field of view so there is a trade off.
Bird Photography
- Jan 28 2026 Photo Challenge -- Year 8 of All BC B... (41)
- Jan 25 2026 Bird Challenge -- Current Bird List (2)
- Jan 01 A Few of My Favourites from 2025... (1)
- Jan 01 2025 Photo Challenge - All BC Birds! (197)
- Dec 28 New Canon Mirrorless Body and Lenses (5)
- Dec 18 Highlights from Panama! (1)
- Dec 08 2025 Bird Challenge: Current Bird List (10)
- Jul 21 SPECTACULAR Birds from Brazil... (1)
Birder's Corner
- Aug 25 Sandhill Cranes (1)
- Nov 29 Rob Butler at Outer Shores Lodge, Bamfield, ... (1)
- Sep 18 Rookie Backyard Bird Lover (2)
- Aug 13 american white pelican (1)
- May 05 OWL Open House May 4 & 5 2024 (2)
- Feb 17 Birdhouse (1)
Birding in the News
Dec 28, 2025 | CBC
Dec 13, 2025 | Comox Valley Record
Dec 29, 2025 | CTV News
Dec 19, 2025 | Times Colonist
Jan 15, 2026 | The Globe and Mail
February Birding Tips
- Birds are beginning to grow their breeding plumage.
- Similar species may join mixed flocks and flock together. Look for a rare bird mixed with common species.
- Good places to search include berry bushes and cone trees. Check pine and fir trees, aspens, arbutus, hawthorns, snowberry bushes
- Check harvested farm fields, mud flats, estuaries, and the sea shore for shorebirds, owls and raptors, sparrows, and other passerines.
- Check and watch activity around bird feeders. Birds will be foraging most of the day and some develop feeding patterns based on the availability of food in a location.
- Scan along the tree-tops and along fence rows for a perched raptor, owl, or shrike.
- Scan farm fields, lakes, bays, and open water for a variety of ducks, geese, and other waterfowl species.
- On a stormy day, check grass fields for gulls
Depending on the weather patterns, there is a chance of early spring migrants to appear in late February.
Recommended Bird Finding Guide Books for BC
The Sibley Guide to Birds, 2nd Edition
The most comprehensive bird guide available for North America.
Excellent illustrations, detailed information on bird behaviour and distribution.
Field Guide to North American Birds
Best-selling North American bird field guide is the most up-to-date guide on the market.
Compact, good colour plates and many rare species covered in this bird identification book.
Kaufman Field Guide to Advanced Birding
A guide for the more experienced birder, this book covers advanced identification techniques.
Great for those who want to take their birding skills to the next level.
Birding in British Columbia is a BC Birding resource and community message board maintained by Kevin Slagboom | About