Edmonton, the capital city of the Canadian province of Alberta, is known for its bustling urban energy and access to natural beauty. Like many cities, Edmonton has adopted an official bird to represent its spirit. But what exactly is Edmonton’s official bird?
In this article, we will explore the history behind Edmonton’s official bird designation, look at some runner-up options that were considered, and discuss why the great horned owl ultimately earned its place as the quintessential feathered representative of this northern Albertan metropolis. We’ll also highlight some key facts and characteristics of the great horned owl that make it an apt symbol for the city.
Some quick questions answered in the opening paragraphs:
What Canadian province is Edmonton the capital of?
Edmonton is the capital city of the province of Alberta in Canada.
Does Edmonton have an official bird?
Yes, Edmonton does have an official bird – the great horned owl.
What bird represents the spirit of Edmonton as its official bird?
The great horned owl is recognized as Edmonton’s official bird.
The History Behind the Designation
Edmonton has only officially had a city bird since 1987, but the effort to select one dates back much earlier. Discussions about choosing an avian symbol first emerged in the 1960s. At that time, the blue jay, black-capped chickadee, and common raven were all put forth as potential candidates.
In the early 1980s, the Edmonton Naturalization Committee reignited the campaign to settle on an official bird. They staged a promotional contest to engage citizens in nominating and voting for their favorite feathered city representative. A total of 40 different bird species were proposed during this process.
After reviewing the options, the Edmonton Naturalization Committee put forth four finalists to the city council:
– Common Loon
– Black-Capped Chickadee
– Great Horned Owl
– Magpie
In November 1987, the Edmonton City Council held a final vote on the shortlist of candidates. The great horned owl received the most votes from the council members and was declared the official bird of Edmonton.
The selection of the great horned owl can be attributed to several factors:
– Its large size and dramatic appearance
– Its association with wilderness and nature
– Its habitat range includes the Edmonton region
– Its tendency to nest in urban areas like parks
– Its role as a top nocturnal predator, representing the city’s ambition
So while it took decades of deliberation, the great horned owl ultimately emerged as the most compelling representative of Edmonton’s spirit.
Summary of Key Events
- 1960s – Early discussions of selecting an official city bird
- Early 1980s – Edmonton Naturalization Committee holds contest to nominate options
- 1987 – City Council votes on final four candidates
- November 1987 – Great horned owl revealed as the winner of the vote and declared the official bird
Other Birds Considered for the Role
As we explored above, the great horned owl had some stiff competition from other bird species during the selection process. Here is some more detail on a few of the other top contenders that came close to becoming the avian emblem of Edmonton:
Common Loon
The common loon is a large waterbird that spends its summers breeding on Canadian lakes. Its haunting yodel of a call is iconic wilderness sound. The Edmonton Naturalization Committee included the common loon in the final four because it represented Alberta’s lakes and wilderness areas. However, some council members felt the loon wasn’t closely enough associated with the Edmonton area specifically.
Black-Capped Chickadee
This tiny acrobatic songbird is a year-round resident of the Edmonton region. It was an initial front runner because of its perky personality and the fact that it thrives in urban and natural habitats. However, some officials thought such a small species couldn’t convey the strength and commanding presence desired for the city bird.
Magpie
Clever, noisy, and conspicuous, the black-billed magpie was nominated because of its familiarity in Edmonton. Yet its notorious scavenging tendencies gave it a less noble reputation. Some council members saw the magpie as too much of a nuisance bird.
While all these options had merits, the great horned owl ultimately edged them out as the best representation of Edmonton’s wilderness ties and ambition. Next, we’ll look at why the owl makes such an fitting choice.
Why the Great Horned Owl Suits Edmonton
The great horned owl is indeed an appropriate choice to epitomize Alberta’s capital city. Let’s look at some of the key reasons why:
Impressive Size
The great horned owl has a truly impressive stature, standing at around 22 inches tall with a wingspan approaching 5 feet. It’s larger than most predatory birds found in the region. This size gives it commanding presence befitting a city’s official bird.
Remarkable Adaptability
While often associated with pristine wilderness, great horned owls readily flourish in urban and suburban areas. Their ability to thrive in habitats ranging from wilderness to city parks demonstrates remarkable adaptability – an attribute Edmonton strives to emulate.
Association with the Province
The great horned owl can be found across Alberta in ecosystems ranging from the Rocky Mountains to the central prairies to the northern boreal forest. Its provincial range helps it represent all of Alberta, not just Edmonton itself.
Deadly Hunting Skills
As an accomplished and powerful nocturnal hunter, the great horned owl symbolizes Edmonton’s ambition. The city aspires to be a tenacious, forward-thinking achiever.
Urban Nesting Behavior
Great horned owls often nest in the wooded areas of city parks, golf courses, ravines, and other urban green spaces in Edmonton. Seeing the birds on nests in areas like the North Saskatchewan River Valley lets residents experience nature nearby.
Reason | Description |
---|---|
Impressive Size | Large stature gives commanding presence |
Remarkable Adaptability | Thrives in habitats from wilderness to cities |
Association with the Province | Found across various Alberta ecosystems |
Deadly Hunting Skills | Tenacious predator represents ambition |
Urban Nesting Behavior | Nests in Edmonton’s urban green spaces |
Key Facts About the Great Horned Owl
Now that we’ve covered the great horned owl’s significance as Edmonton’s official bird, let’s highlight some key facts about these magnificent raptors:
Physical Attributes
– The great horned owl has prominent ear tufts, giving it a unique “horned” appearance
– Its eyes are exceptionally large and yellow. It has outstanding low-light vision.
– The wings, back, and facial disk are mottled brown and beige. The throat and chest are white.
– Females are larger than males on average. They have a wingspan of 3.5-5 feet and weigh 3-6 pounds.
– Talons and beak are large and powerful for seizing prey.
Habits and Habitat
– Found across much of North and South America in a range of ecosystems
– Occupies urban and rural areas, given adequate nesting sites and prey
– Hunts at night and rests during the day
– Calls consist of low hoots, sometimes known as “who-who-who”
– Nests in tree cavities, cliffs, buildings; does not build its own nest
– Lays 2-4 eggs from February to April, incubated for 30-37 days
Diet
– Consumes a wide range of prey including mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish
– Common diet in Alberta includes rabbits, voles, mice, rats, squirrels, ducks, geese
– An opportunistic hunter, sometimes eats skunks, ravens, cats, small pets, carrion
– Requires 1/4 to 1/2 pound of food per day on average
Category | Facts |
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Physical Attributes |
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Habits and Habitat |
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Diet |
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Conclusion
In summary, the great horned owl was designated as the official bird of Edmonton in 1987 at the conclusion of a long selection process. Its large and impressive presence, adaptability, provincial range, hunting prowess, and urban nesting habits make it an ideal representative for Alberta’s capital. This powerful nocturnal predator with remarkable yellow eyes epitomizes the wilderness spirit and soaring ambition of the city. Edmonton’s great horned owl serves as a compelling and fitting avian emblem.