Science Grab Bag
Birds
About how many bird species can be seen in the Athabasca region?
a) 52
b) 100
c) 200
d) 350
Answer: c) Up to 222 species of birds reside, breed or migrate through this area. See our bird checklist for more information.
Which one of the following birds common to the Athabasca region migrates out of the area in the winter?
a) Great Blue Heron
b) Great Horned Owl
c) Ruffed Grouse
d) Downy Woodpecker
Answer: a) The Great Blue Heron. See our mammals brochure/checklist for more information.
About how many species of Ducks (Anatidae) can be seen in the Athabasca region?
a) 20
b) 30
c) 40
d) 50
Answer: a) There are actually 24 species of ducks that reside, breed or migrate through this area. See our bird checklist for more information.
Which one of the following birds can occasionally be seen in the Athabasca region, but ONLY in the Winter?
a) Snowy Owl
b) Hairy Woodpecker
c) Bald Eagle
d) Osprey
Answer: a) Snowy Owl. The Snowy Owl lives in the tundra biome located in Greenland, Iceland, Canada, and the northern USA. In the winter it usually migrates south to warmer places, which is why sightings around Athabasca occur only in the winter months. See our bird checklist for more information.
Science Outreach Athabasca - September 26, 2012
