Close X
Monday, November 11, 2024
ADVT 
National

Canadians Pick Common Loon As Favourite To Become Country's National Bird

The Canadian Press, 03 Sep, 2016 01:44 PM
    MONTREAL — The votes are in and, if Canadians have their way, the common loon could one day join the beaver and maple leaf as an official symbol of Canada.
     
    While the United States has the bald eagle and Britain has the robin, Canada has no national bird of its own — something the Royal Canadian Geographical Society is trying to change.
     
    The organization launched its national bird project in January 2015, inviting Canadians to vote for their candidate of choice on the website of Canadian Geographic magazine, which it publishes.
     
    Although the loon topped the contest with nearly 14,000 of the almost 50,000 votes cast, there's no guarantee it will emerge the winner.
     
    A panel debate will be held in Ottawa in September, where experts will argue the merits of each of the top five birds. 
     
    The final choice will be announced Nov. 16. After that, organizers will submit their proposal to the government, probably through a private member's bill in the Commons.
     
    When the contest ended Aug. 31, the loon had outstripped the snowy owl (8,498 votes) and the gray jay, or whiskey jack (7,918).
     
    The Canada goose finished fourth, while the black-capped chickadee rounded out the top five.
     
    A spokeswoman for the geographical society said the loon is familiar to Canadians because of its presence on the one dollar coin and its "haunting" call.
     
    "It's synonymous with Canada's North and wilderness," Deborah Chapman said in an interview.
     
    "I think when people think of the loon we think of that call, and that reminds us of the North, which is a bit about who we are."
     
    While the Canada goose's fourth-placed finish may surprise some, given its name, Chapman pointed out the species is equally associated with leaving big messes behind and can be considered a nuisance.
     
    Chapman also noted that the front-running loon is already the official bird of Ontario and, unlike the two runners-up, flies south to escape Canada's harsh winters, which may not make it the best symbol of the country's northern spirit.
     
    One well-known ornithologist, who will speak at the Ottawa panel, is convinced that the third-ranked gray jay is the bird that best embodies the country.
     
    David Bird (yes, that's his real name) says the forest-dwelling species is smart and hardy, is found throughout Canada (and isn't found elsewhere in large numbers) and isn't claimed as an official bird by any province.
     
    Bird says gray jays are also like Canadians as a whole because they are known for their friendly and trusting natures.
     
    "You will never find a friendlier bird than the gray jay, because they will come down and take food from your hand without being trained," he said.
     
    "All those features make it a good choice to represent Canada."

    MORE National ARTICLES

    Halifax Police Investigate Suspicious Death Of Man Found In Stolen Car

    RCMP say officers investigating a report of a stolen car just before 2 p.m. Tuesday found the car soon afterwards with a dead man inside.

    Halifax Police Investigate Suspicious Death Of Man Found In Stolen Car

    Police Allege Man Attacked, Stabbed Man And Woman At Two Different Homes In Saint John, N.B.

    Police Allege Man Attacked, Stabbed Man And Woman At Two Different Homes In Saint John, N.B.
    SAINT JOHN, N.B. — Police in New Brunswick are investigating a pair of unusual, random attacks in Saint John that left two people with minor injuries.

    Police Allege Man Attacked, Stabbed Man And Woman At Two Different Homes In Saint John, N.B.

    B.C. High Court Rejects Acquittal Of Vernon Man In Dial-A-Dope Case

    B.C. High Court Rejects Acquittal Of Vernon Man In Dial-A-Dope Case
    VANCOUVER — The B.C. Court of Appeal has ordered a new trial for a Vernon, B.C., man acquitted of drug charges after a lower court threw out a key search warrant.

    B.C. High Court Rejects Acquittal Of Vernon Man In Dial-A-Dope Case

    Alberta Says No Charges For U.S. Hunter Who Posted Video Of Killing Bear

    Alberta Says No Charges For U.S. Hunter Who Posted Video Of Killing Bear
    The spokesperson with Alberta Justice said the investigation into the video, posted on YouTube in June by hunter Josh Bowmar, is done and there was no evidence to suggest any law was broken.

    Alberta Says No Charges For U.S. Hunter Who Posted Video Of Killing Bear

    Quebec Man Caught Crossing Border With Sled Full Of US$1.6 Million Drugs Sentenced In Vermont

    Quebec Man Caught Crossing Border With Sled Full Of  US$1.6 Million Drugs Sentenced In Vermont
    The 21-year-old had pleaded guilty earlier this year to a single charge of possession with intent to distribute.

    Quebec Man Caught Crossing Border With Sled Full Of US$1.6 Million Drugs Sentenced In Vermont

    Trial Begins For Ontario Woman Who Gave Water To Pigs En Route To Slaughter

    Trial Begins For Ontario Woman Who Gave Water To Pigs En Route To Slaughter
    Anita Krajnc was charged after the pigs' owner filed a complaint with police shortly after the incident that occurred in June 2015 in Burlington, Ont.

    Trial Begins For Ontario Woman Who Gave Water To Pigs En Route To Slaughter