List of Nunavut birds
Encyclopedia
The Canadian
territory Nunavut
has over 100 species of bird
s nearly all of which are migratory
, with only the Common Raven
, the Snowy Owl
and the Rock Ptarmigan spending the winter. Most, if not all birds migrate to Nunavut for breeding purposes and tend to return to the same nesting grounds each year.
Birds may be found all through Nunavut but not all birds are to be seen throughout the territory. Thus the Horned Lark can be found in all areas or Nunavut, except Ellesmere Island
, the sparrow is rarely found outside of the mainland and the plovers are usually found only on the east coasts of Baffin Island
and Ellesmere Island.
Along with the regular birds can be found the occasional "lost bird" such as the Barn Swallow
or Blue Jay
but they are not covered here.
had several other ways of using birds:
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
territory Nunavut
Nunavut
Nunavut is the largest and newest federal territory of Canada; it was separated officially from the Northwest Territories on April 1, 1999, via the Nunavut Act and the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement Act, though the actual boundaries had been established in 1993...
has over 100 species of bird
Bird
Birds are feathered, winged, bipedal, endothermic , egg-laying, vertebrate animals. Around 10,000 living species and 188 families makes them the most speciose class of tetrapod vertebrates. They inhabit ecosystems across the globe, from the Arctic to the Antarctic. Extant birds range in size from...
s nearly all of which are migratory
Bird migration
Bird migration is the regular seasonal journey undertaken by many species of birds. Bird movements include those made in response to changes in food availability, habitat or weather. Sometimes, journeys are not termed "true migration" because they are irregular or in only one direction...
, with only the Common Raven
Common Raven
The Common Raven , also known as the Northern Raven, is a large, all-black passerine bird. Found across the northern hemisphere, it is the most widely distributed of all corvids...
, the Snowy Owl
Snowy Owl
The Snowy Owl is a large owl of the typical owl family Strigidae. The Snowy Owl was first classified in 1758 by Carolus Linnaeus, the Swedish naturalist who developed binomial nomenclature to classify and organize plants and animals. The bird is also known in North America as the Arctic Owl, Great...
and the Rock Ptarmigan spending the winter. Most, if not all birds migrate to Nunavut for breeding purposes and tend to return to the same nesting grounds each year.
Birds may be found all through Nunavut but not all birds are to be seen throughout the territory. Thus the Horned Lark can be found in all areas or Nunavut, except Ellesmere Island
Ellesmere Island
Ellesmere Island is part of the Qikiqtaaluk Region of the Canadian territory of Nunavut. Lying within the Canadian Arctic Archipelago, it is considered part of the Queen Elizabeth Islands, with Cape Columbia being the most northerly point of land in Canada...
, the sparrow is rarely found outside of the mainland and the plovers are usually found only on the east coasts of Baffin Island
Baffin Island
Baffin Island in the Canadian territory of Nunavut is the largest island in the Canadian Arctic Archipelago, the largest island in Canada and the fifth largest island in the world. Its area is and its population is about 11,000...
and Ellesmere Island.
Along with the regular birds can be found the occasional "lost bird" such as the Barn Swallow
Barn Swallow
The Barn Swallow is the most widespread species of swallow in the world. It is a distinctive passerine bird with blue upperparts, a long, deeply forked tail and curved, pointed wings. It is found in Europe, Asia, Africa and the Americas...
or Blue Jay
Blue Jay
The Blue Jay is a passerine bird in the family Corvidae, native to North America. It is resident through most of eastern and central United States and southern Canada, although western populations may be migratory. It breeds in both deciduous and coniferous forests, and is common near and in...
but they are not covered here.
Traditional usage
Beside a food source the InuitInuit
The Inuit are a group of culturally similar indigenous peoples inhabiting the Arctic regions of Canada , Denmark , Russia and the United States . Inuit means “the people” in the Inuktitut language...
had several other ways of using birds:
- Skins from larger birds were used as towels.
- Wings may have been used to dust or sweep.
- Skins were used as make containers, slippers and if caribou were scarce parkasAnorakAn anorak or parka is a type of heavy jacket with a hood, often lined with fur or fake fur, so as to protect the face from a combination of freezing temperatures and wind...
. - Children, mainly boys, would often learn to hunt by throwing stones at small birds.
Ducks (Mitiq, Mitik), Geese and Swans, – Anatidae
- Whistling Swan
The CanadianCanadaCanada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
territory NunavutNunavutNunavut is the largest and newest federal territory of Canada; it was separated officially from the Northwest Territories on April 1, 1999, via the Nunavut Act and the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement Act, though the actual boundaries had been established in 1993...
has over 100 species of birdBirdBirds are feathered, winged, bipedal, endothermic , egg-laying, vertebrate animals. Around 10,000 living species and 188 families makes them the most speciose class of tetrapod vertebrates. They inhabit ecosystems across the globe, from the Arctic to the Antarctic. Extant birds range in size from...
s nearly all of which are migratoryBird migrationBird migration is the regular seasonal journey undertaken by many species of birds. Bird movements include those made in response to changes in food availability, habitat or weather. Sometimes, journeys are not termed "true migration" because they are irregular or in only one direction...
, with only the Common RavenCommon RavenThe Common Raven , also known as the Northern Raven, is a large, all-black passerine bird. Found across the northern hemisphere, it is the most widely distributed of all corvids...
, the Snowy OwlSnowy OwlThe Snowy Owl is a large owl of the typical owl family Strigidae. The Snowy Owl was first classified in 1758 by Carolus Linnaeus, the Swedish naturalist who developed binomial nomenclature to classify and organize plants and animals. The bird is also known in North America as the Arctic Owl, Great...
and the Rock Ptarmigan spending the winter. Most, if not all birds migrate to Nunavut for breeding purposes and tend to return to the same nesting grounds each year.
Birds may be found all through Nunavut but not all birds are to be seen throughout the territory. Thus the Horned Lark can be found in all areas or Nunavut, except Ellesmere IslandEllesmere IslandEllesmere Island is part of the Qikiqtaaluk Region of the Canadian territory of Nunavut. Lying within the Canadian Arctic Archipelago, it is considered part of the Queen Elizabeth Islands, with Cape Columbia being the most northerly point of land in Canada...
, the sparrow is rarely found outside of the mainland and the plovers are usually found only on the east coasts of Baffin IslandBaffin IslandBaffin Island in the Canadian territory of Nunavut is the largest island in the Canadian Arctic Archipelago, the largest island in Canada and the fifth largest island in the world. Its area is and its population is about 11,000...
and Ellesmere Island.
Along with the regular birds can be found the occasional "lost bird" such as the Barn SwallowBarn SwallowThe Barn Swallow is the most widespread species of swallow in the world. It is a distinctive passerine bird with blue upperparts, a long, deeply forked tail and curved, pointed wings. It is found in Europe, Asia, Africa and the Americas...
or Blue JayBlue JayThe Blue Jay is a passerine bird in the family Corvidae, native to North America. It is resident through most of eastern and central United States and southern Canada, although western populations may be migratory. It breeds in both deciduous and coniferous forests, and is common near and in...
but they are not covered here.
Traditional usage
Beside a food source the InuitInuitThe Inuit are a group of culturally similar indigenous peoples inhabiting the Arctic regions of Canada , Denmark , Russia and the United States . Inuit means “the people” in the Inuktitut language...
had several other ways of using birds:- Skins from larger birds were used as towels.
- Wings may have been used to dust or sweep.
- Skins were used as make containers, slippers and if caribou were scarce parkasAnorakAn anorak or parka is a type of heavy jacket with a hood, often lined with fur or fake fur, so as to protect the face from a combination of freezing temperatures and wind...
. - Children, mainly boys, would often learn to hunt by throwing stones at small birds.
Ducks (Mitiq, Mitik), Geese and Swans, – Anatidae
- Whistling Swan
The CanadianCanadaCanada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
territory NunavutNunavutNunavut is the largest and newest federal territory of Canada; it was separated officially from the Northwest Territories on April 1, 1999, via the Nunavut Act and the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement Act, though the actual boundaries had been established in 1993...
has over 100 species of birdBirdBirds are feathered, winged, bipedal, endothermic , egg-laying, vertebrate animals. Around 10,000 living species and 188 families makes them the most speciose class of tetrapod vertebrates. They inhabit ecosystems across the globe, from the Arctic to the Antarctic. Extant birds range in size from...
s nearly all of which are migratoryBird migrationBird migration is the regular seasonal journey undertaken by many species of birds. Bird movements include those made in response to changes in food availability, habitat or weather. Sometimes, journeys are not termed "true migration" because they are irregular or in only one direction...
, with only the Common RavenCommon RavenThe Common Raven , also known as the Northern Raven, is a large, all-black passerine bird. Found across the northern hemisphere, it is the most widely distributed of all corvids...
, the Snowy OwlSnowy OwlThe Snowy Owl is a large owl of the typical owl family Strigidae. The Snowy Owl was first classified in 1758 by Carolus Linnaeus, the Swedish naturalist who developed binomial nomenclature to classify and organize plants and animals. The bird is also known in North America as the Arctic Owl, Great...
and the Rock Ptarmigan spending the winter. Most, if not all birds migrate to Nunavut for breeding purposes and tend to return to the same nesting grounds each year.
Birds may be found all through Nunavut but not all birds are to be seen throughout the territory. Thus the Horned Lark can be found in all areas or Nunavut, except Ellesmere IslandEllesmere IslandEllesmere Island is part of the Qikiqtaaluk Region of the Canadian territory of Nunavut. Lying within the Canadian Arctic Archipelago, it is considered part of the Queen Elizabeth Islands, with Cape Columbia being the most northerly point of land in Canada...
, the sparrow is rarely found outside of the mainland and the plovers are usually found only on the east coasts of Baffin IslandBaffin IslandBaffin Island in the Canadian territory of Nunavut is the largest island in the Canadian Arctic Archipelago, the largest island in Canada and the fifth largest island in the world. Its area is and its population is about 11,000...
and Ellesmere Island.
Along with the regular birds can be found the occasional "lost bird" such as the Barn SwallowBarn SwallowThe Barn Swallow is the most widespread species of swallow in the world. It is a distinctive passerine bird with blue upperparts, a long, deeply forked tail and curved, pointed wings. It is found in Europe, Asia, Africa and the Americas...
or Blue JayBlue JayThe Blue Jay is a passerine bird in the family Corvidae, native to North America. It is resident through most of eastern and central United States and southern Canada, although western populations may be migratory. It breeds in both deciduous and coniferous forests, and is common near and in...
but they are not covered here.
Traditional usage
Beside a food source the InuitInuitThe Inuit are a group of culturally similar indigenous peoples inhabiting the Arctic regions of Canada , Denmark , Russia and the United States . Inuit means “the people” in the Inuktitut language...
had several other ways of using birds:- Skins from larger birds were used as towels.
- Wings may have been used to dust or sweep.
- Skins were used as make containers, slippers and if caribou were scarce parkasAnorakAn anorak or parka is a type of heavy jacket with a hood, often lined with fur or fake fur, so as to protect the face from a combination of freezing temperatures and wind...
. - Children, mainly boys, would often learn to hunt by throwing stones at small birds.
Ducks (Mitiq, Mitik), Geese and Swans, – Anatidae
- Whistling Swan
The CanadianCanadaCanada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
territory NunavutNunavutNunavut is the largest and newest federal territory of Canada; it was separated officially from the Northwest Territories on April 1, 1999, via the Nunavut Act and the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement Act, though the actual boundaries had been established in 1993...
has over 100 species of birdBirdBirds are feathered, winged, bipedal, endothermic , egg-laying, vertebrate animals. Around 10,000 living species and 188 families makes them the most speciose class of tetrapod vertebrates. They inhabit ecosystems across the globe, from the Arctic to the Antarctic. Extant birds range in size from...
s nearly all of which are migratoryBird migrationBird migration is the regular seasonal journey undertaken by many species of birds. Bird movements include those made in response to changes in food availability, habitat or weather. Sometimes, journeys are not termed "true migration" because they are irregular or in only one direction...
, with only the Common RavenCommon RavenThe Common Raven , also known as the Northern Raven, is a large, all-black passerine bird. Found across the northern hemisphere, it is the most widely distributed of all corvids...
, the Snowy OwlSnowy OwlThe Snowy Owl is a large owl of the typical owl family Strigidae. The Snowy Owl was first classified in 1758 by Carolus Linnaeus, the Swedish naturalist who developed binomial nomenclature to classify and organize plants and animals. The bird is also known in North America as the Arctic Owl, Great...
and the Rock Ptarmigan spending the winter. Most, if not all birds migrate to Nunavut for breeding purposes and tend to return to the same nesting grounds each year.
Birds may be found all through Nunavut but not all birds are to be seen throughout the territory. Thus the Horned Lark can be found in all areas or Nunavut, except Ellesmere IslandEllesmere IslandEllesmere Island is part of the Qikiqtaaluk Region of the Canadian territory of Nunavut. Lying within the Canadian Arctic Archipelago, it is considered part of the Queen Elizabeth Islands, with Cape Columbia being the most northerly point of land in Canada...
, the sparrow is rarely found outside of the mainland and the plovers are usually found only on the east coasts of Baffin IslandBaffin IslandBaffin Island in the Canadian territory of Nunavut is the largest island in the Canadian Arctic Archipelago, the largest island in Canada and the fifth largest island in the world. Its area is and its population is about 11,000...
and Ellesmere Island.
Along with the regular birds can be found the occasional "lost bird" such as the Barn SwallowBarn SwallowThe Barn Swallow is the most widespread species of swallow in the world. It is a distinctive passerine bird with blue upperparts, a long, deeply forked tail and curved, pointed wings. It is found in Europe, Asia, Africa and the Americas...
or Blue JayBlue JayThe Blue Jay is a passerine bird in the family Corvidae, native to North America. It is resident through most of eastern and central United States and southern Canada, although western populations may be migratory. It breeds in both deciduous and coniferous forests, and is common near and in...
but they are not covered here.
Traditional usage
Beside a food source the InuitInuitThe Inuit are a group of culturally similar indigenous peoples inhabiting the Arctic regions of Canada , Denmark , Russia and the United States . Inuit means “the people” in the Inuktitut language...
had several other ways of using birds:- Skins from larger birds were used as towels.
- Wings may have been used to dust or sweep.
- Skins were used as make containers, slippers and if caribou were scarce parkasAnorakAn anorak or parka is a type of heavy jacket with a hood, often lined with fur or fake fur, so as to protect the face from a combination of freezing temperatures and wind...
. - Children, mainly boys, would often learn to hunt by throwing stones at small birds.
Ducks (Mitiq, Mitik), Geese and Swans, – Anatidae
- Whistling Swan
The CanadianCanadaCanada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
territory NunavutNunavutNunavut is the largest and newest federal territory of Canada; it was separated officially from the Northwest Territories on April 1, 1999, via the Nunavut Act and the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement Act, though the actual boundaries had been established in 1993...
has over 100 species of birdBirdBirds are feathered, winged, bipedal, endothermic , egg-laying, vertebrate animals. Around 10,000 living species and 188 families makes them the most speciose class of tetrapod vertebrates. They inhabit ecosystems across the globe, from the Arctic to the Antarctic. Extant birds range in size from...
s nearly all of which are migratoryBird migrationBird migration is the regular seasonal journey undertaken by many species of birds. Bird movements include those made in response to changes in food availability, habitat or weather. Sometimes, journeys are not termed "true migration" because they are irregular or in only one direction...
, with only the Common RavenCommon RavenThe Common Raven , also known as the Northern Raven, is a large, all-black passerine bird. Found across the northern hemisphere, it is the most widely distributed of all corvids...
, the Snowy OwlSnowy OwlThe Snowy Owl is a large owl of the typical owl family Strigidae. The Snowy Owl was first classified in 1758 by Carolus Linnaeus, the Swedish naturalist who developed binomial nomenclature to classify and organize plants and animals. The bird is also known in North America as the Arctic Owl, Great...
and the Rock Ptarmigan spending the winter. Most, if not all birds migrate to Nunavut for breeding purposes and tend to return to the same nesting grounds each year.
Birds may be found all through Nunavut but not all birds are to be seen throughout the territory. Thus the Horned Lark can be found in all areas or Nunavut, except Ellesmere IslandEllesmere IslandEllesmere Island is part of the Qikiqtaaluk Region of the Canadian territory of Nunavut. Lying within the Canadian Arctic Archipelago, it is considered part of the Queen Elizabeth Islands, with Cape Columbia being the most northerly point of land in Canada...
, the sparrow is rarely found outside of the mainland and the plovers are usually found only on the east coasts of Baffin IslandBaffin IslandBaffin Island in the Canadian territory of Nunavut is the largest island in the Canadian Arctic Archipelago, the largest island in Canada and the fifth largest island in the world. Its area is and its population is about 11,000...
and Ellesmere Island.
Along with the regular birds can be found the occasional "lost bird" such as the Barn SwallowBarn SwallowThe Barn Swallow is the most widespread species of swallow in the world. It is a distinctive passerine bird with blue upperparts, a long, deeply forked tail and curved, pointed wings. It is found in Europe, Asia, Africa and the Americas...
or Blue JayBlue JayThe Blue Jay is a passerine bird in the family Corvidae, native to North America. It is resident through most of eastern and central United States and southern Canada, although western populations may be migratory. It breeds in both deciduous and coniferous forests, and is common near and in...
but they are not covered here.
Traditional usage
Beside a food source the InuitInuitThe Inuit are a group of culturally similar indigenous peoples inhabiting the Arctic regions of Canada , Denmark , Russia and the United States . Inuit means “the people” in the Inuktitut language...
had several other ways of using birds:- Skins from larger birds were used as towels.
- Wings may have been used to dust or sweep.
- Skins were used as make containers, slippers and if caribou were scarce parkasAnorakAn anorak or parka is a type of heavy jacket with a hood, often lined with fur or fake fur, so as to protect the face from a combination of freezing temperatures and wind...
. - Children, mainly boys, would often learn to hunt by throwing stones at small birds.
Ducks (Mitiq, Mitik), Geese and Swans, – Anatidae
- Whistling Swan
The CanadianCanadaCanada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
territory NunavutNunavutNunavut is the largest and newest federal territory of Canada; it was separated officially from the Northwest Territories on April 1, 1999, via the Nunavut Act and the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement Act, though the actual boundaries had been established in 1993...
has over 100 species of birdBirdBirds are feathered, winged, bipedal, endothermic , egg-laying, vertebrate animals. Around 10,000 living species and 188 families makes them the most speciose class of tetrapod vertebrates. They inhabit ecosystems across the globe, from the Arctic to the Antarctic. Extant birds range in size from...
s nearly all of which are migratoryBird migrationBird migration is the regular seasonal journey undertaken by many species of birds. Bird movements include those made in response to changes in food availability, habitat or weather. Sometimes, journeys are not termed "true migration" because they are irregular or in only one direction...
, with only the Common RavenCommon RavenThe Common Raven , also known as the Northern Raven, is a large, all-black passerine bird. Found across the northern hemisphere, it is the most widely distributed of all corvids...
, the Snowy OwlSnowy OwlThe Snowy Owl is a large owl of the typical owl family Strigidae. The Snowy Owl was first classified in 1758 by Carolus Linnaeus, the Swedish naturalist who developed binomial nomenclature to classify and organize plants and animals. The bird is also known in North America as the Arctic Owl, Great...
and the Rock Ptarmigan spending the winter. Most, if not all birds migrate to Nunavut for breeding purposes and tend to return to the same nesting grounds each year.
Birds may be found all through Nunavut but not all birds are to be seen throughout the territory. Thus the Horned Lark can be found in all areas or Nunavut, except Ellesmere IslandEllesmere IslandEllesmere Island is part of the Qikiqtaaluk Region of the Canadian territory of Nunavut. Lying within the Canadian Arctic Archipelago, it is considered part of the Queen Elizabeth Islands, with Cape Columbia being the most northerly point of land in Canada...
, the sparrow is rarely found outside of the mainland and the plovers are usually found only on the east coasts of Baffin IslandBaffin IslandBaffin Island in the Canadian territory of Nunavut is the largest island in the Canadian Arctic Archipelago, the largest island in Canada and the fifth largest island in the world. Its area is and its population is about 11,000...
and Ellesmere Island.
Along with the regular birds can be found the occasional "lost bird" such as the Barn SwallowBarn SwallowThe Barn Swallow is the most widespread species of swallow in the world. It is a distinctive passerine bird with blue upperparts, a long, deeply forked tail and curved, pointed wings. It is found in Europe, Asia, Africa and the Americas...
or Blue JayBlue JayThe Blue Jay is a passerine bird in the family Corvidae, native to North America. It is resident through most of eastern and central United States and southern Canada, although western populations may be migratory. It breeds in both deciduous and coniferous forests, and is common near and in...
but they are not covered here.
Traditional usage
Beside a food source the InuitInuitThe Inuit are a group of culturally similar indigenous peoples inhabiting the Arctic regions of Canada , Denmark , Russia and the United States . Inuit means “the people” in the Inuktitut language...
had several other ways of using birds:- Skins from larger birds were used as towels.
- Wings may have been used to dust or sweep.
- Skins were used as make containers, slippers and if caribou were scarce parkasAnorakAn anorak or parka is a type of heavy jacket with a hood, often lined with fur or fake fur, so as to protect the face from a combination of freezing temperatures and wind...
. - Children, mainly boys, would often learn to hunt by throwing stones at small birds.
Ducks (Mitiq, Mitik), Geese and Swans, – Anatidae
- Whistling Swan
The CanadianCanadaCanada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
territory NunavutNunavutNunavut is the largest and newest federal territory of Canada; it was separated officially from the Northwest Territories on April 1, 1999, via the Nunavut Act and the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement Act, though the actual boundaries had been established in 1993...
has over 100 species of birdBirdBirds are feathered, winged, bipedal, endothermic , egg-laying, vertebrate animals. Around 10,000 living species and 188 families makes them the most speciose class of tetrapod vertebrates. They inhabit ecosystems across the globe, from the Arctic to the Antarctic. Extant birds range in size from...
s nearly all of which are migratoryBird migrationBird migration is the regular seasonal journey undertaken by many species of birds. Bird movements include those made in response to changes in food availability, habitat or weather. Sometimes, journeys are not termed "true migration" because they are irregular or in only one direction...
, with only the Common RavenCommon RavenThe Common Raven , also known as the Northern Raven, is a large, all-black passerine bird. Found across the northern hemisphere, it is the most widely distributed of all corvids...
, the Snowy OwlSnowy OwlThe Snowy Owl is a large owl of the typical owl family Strigidae. The Snowy Owl was first classified in 1758 by Carolus Linnaeus, the Swedish naturalist who developed binomial nomenclature to classify and organize plants and animals. The bird is also known in North America as the Arctic Owl, Great...
and the Rock Ptarmigan spending the winter. Most, if not all birds migrate to Nunavut for breeding purposes and tend to return to the same nesting grounds each year.
Birds may be found all through Nunavut but not all birds are to be seen throughout the territory. Thus the Horned Lark can be found in all areas or Nunavut, except Ellesmere IslandEllesmere IslandEllesmere Island is part of the Qikiqtaaluk Region of the Canadian territory of Nunavut. Lying within the Canadian Arctic Archipelago, it is considered part of the Queen Elizabeth Islands, with Cape Columbia being the most northerly point of land in Canada...
, the sparrow is rarely found outside of the mainland and the plovers are usually found only on the east coasts of Baffin IslandBaffin IslandBaffin Island in the Canadian territory of Nunavut is the largest island in the Canadian Arctic Archipelago, the largest island in Canada and the fifth largest island in the world. Its area is and its population is about 11,000...
and Ellesmere Island.
Along with the regular birds can be found the occasional "lost bird" such as the Barn SwallowBarn SwallowThe Barn Swallow is the most widespread species of swallow in the world. It is a distinctive passerine bird with blue upperparts, a long, deeply forked tail and curved, pointed wings. It is found in Europe, Asia, Africa and the Americas...
or Blue JayBlue JayThe Blue Jay is a passerine bird in the family Corvidae, native to North America. It is resident through most of eastern and central United States and southern Canada, although western populations may be migratory. It breeds in both deciduous and coniferous forests, and is common near and in...
but they are not covered here.
Traditional usage
Beside a food source the InuitInuitThe Inuit are a group of culturally similar indigenous peoples inhabiting the Arctic regions of Canada , Denmark , Russia and the United States . Inuit means “the people” in the Inuktitut language...
had several other ways of using birds:- Skins from larger birds were used as towels.
- Wings may have been used to dust or sweep.
- Skins were used as make containers, slippers and if caribou were scarce parkasAnorakAn anorak or parka is a type of heavy jacket with a hood, often lined with fur or fake fur, so as to protect the face from a combination of freezing temperatures and wind...
. - Children, mainly boys, would often learn to hunt by throwing stones at small birds.
Ducks (Mitiq, Mitik), Geese and Swans, – Anatidae
- Whistling Swan
The CanadianCanadaCanada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
territory NunavutNunavutNunavut is the largest and newest federal territory of Canada; it was separated officially from the Northwest Territories on April 1, 1999, via the Nunavut Act and the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement Act, though the actual boundaries had been established in 1993...
has over 100 species of birdBirdBirds are feathered, winged, bipedal, endothermic , egg-laying, vertebrate animals. Around 10,000 living species and 188 families makes them the most speciose class of tetrapod vertebrates. They inhabit ecosystems across the globe, from the Arctic to the Antarctic. Extant birds range in size from...
s nearly all of which are migratoryBird migrationBird migration is the regular seasonal journey undertaken by many species of birds. Bird movements include those made in response to changes in food availability, habitat or weather. Sometimes, journeys are not termed "true migration" because they are irregular or in only one direction...
, with only the Common RavenCommon RavenThe Common Raven , also known as the Northern Raven, is a large, all-black passerine bird. Found across the northern hemisphere, it is the most widely distributed of all corvids...
, the Snowy OwlSnowy OwlThe Snowy Owl is a large owl of the typical owl family Strigidae. The Snowy Owl was first classified in 1758 by Carolus Linnaeus, the Swedish naturalist who developed binomial nomenclature to classify and organize plants and animals. The bird is also known in North America as the Arctic Owl, Great...
and the Rock Ptarmigan spending the winter. Most, if not all birds migrate to Nunavut for breeding purposes and tend to return to the same nesting grounds each year.
Birds may be found all through Nunavut but not all birds are to be seen throughout the territory. Thus the Horned Lark can be found in all areas or Nunavut, except Ellesmere IslandEllesmere IslandEllesmere Island is part of the Qikiqtaaluk Region of the Canadian territory of Nunavut. Lying within the Canadian Arctic Archipelago, it is considered part of the Queen Elizabeth Islands, with Cape Columbia being the most northerly point of land in Canada...
, the sparrow is rarely found outside of the mainland and the plovers are usually found only on the east coasts of Baffin IslandBaffin IslandBaffin Island in the Canadian territory of Nunavut is the largest island in the Canadian Arctic Archipelago, the largest island in Canada and the fifth largest island in the world. Its area is and its population is about 11,000...
and Ellesmere Island.
Along with the regular birds can be found the occasional "lost bird" such as the Barn SwallowBarn SwallowThe Barn Swallow is the most widespread species of swallow in the world. It is a distinctive passerine bird with blue upperparts, a long, deeply forked tail and curved, pointed wings. It is found in Europe, Asia, Africa and the Americas...
or Blue JayBlue JayThe Blue Jay is a passerine bird in the family Corvidae, native to North America. It is resident through most of eastern and central United States and southern Canada, although western populations may be migratory. It breeds in both deciduous and coniferous forests, and is common near and in...
but they are not covered here.
Traditional usage
Beside a food source the InuitInuitThe Inuit are a group of culturally similar indigenous peoples inhabiting the Arctic regions of Canada , Denmark , Russia and the United States . Inuit means “the people” in the Inuktitut language...
had several other ways of using birds:- Skins from larger birds were used as towels.
- Wings may have been used to dust or sweep.
- Skins were used as make containers, slippers and if caribou were scarce parkasAnorakAn anorak or parka is a type of heavy jacket with a hood, often lined with fur or fake fur, so as to protect the face from a combination of freezing temperatures and wind...
. - Children, mainly boys, would often learn to hunt by throwing stones at small birds.
Ducks (Mitiq, Mitik), Geese and Swans, – Anatidae
- Whistling Swan
The CanadianCanadaCanada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
territory NunavutNunavutNunavut is the largest and newest federal territory of Canada; it was separated officially from the Northwest Territories on April 1, 1999, via the Nunavut Act and the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement Act, though the actual boundaries had been established in 1993...
has over 100 species of birdBirdBirds are feathered, winged, bipedal, endothermic , egg-laying, vertebrate animals. Around 10,000 living species and 188 families makes them the most speciose class of tetrapod vertebrates. They inhabit ecosystems across the globe, from the Arctic to the Antarctic. Extant birds range in size from...
s nearly all of which are migratoryBird migrationBird migration is the regular seasonal journey undertaken by many species of birds. Bird movements include those made in response to changes in food availability, habitat or weather. Sometimes, journeys are not termed "true migration" because they are irregular or in only one direction...
, with only the Common RavenCommon RavenThe Common Raven , also known as the Northern Raven, is a large, all-black passerine bird. Found across the northern hemisphere, it is the most widely distributed of all corvids...
, the Snowy OwlSnowy OwlThe Snowy Owl is a large owl of the typical owl family Strigidae. The Snowy Owl was first classified in 1758 by Carolus Linnaeus, the Swedish naturalist who developed binomial nomenclature to classify and organize plants and animals. The bird is also known in North America as the Arctic Owl, Great...
and the Rock Ptarmigan spending the winter. Most, if not all birds migrate to Nunavut for breeding purposes and tend to return to the same nesting grounds each year.
Birds may be found all through Nunavut but not all birds are to be seen throughout the territory. Thus the Horned Lark can be found in all areas or Nunavut, except Ellesmere IslandEllesmere IslandEllesmere Island is part of the Qikiqtaaluk Region of the Canadian territory of Nunavut. Lying within the Canadian Arctic Archipelago, it is considered part of the Queen Elizabeth Islands, with Cape Columbia being the most northerly point of land in Canada...
, the sparrow is rarely found outside of the mainland and the plovers are usually found only on the east coasts of Baffin IslandBaffin IslandBaffin Island in the Canadian territory of Nunavut is the largest island in the Canadian Arctic Archipelago, the largest island in Canada and the fifth largest island in the world. Its area is and its population is about 11,000...
and Ellesmere Island.
Along with the regular birds can be found the occasional "lost bird" such as the Barn SwallowBarn SwallowThe Barn Swallow is the most widespread species of swallow in the world. It is a distinctive passerine bird with blue upperparts, a long, deeply forked tail and curved, pointed wings. It is found in Europe, Asia, Africa and the Americas...
or Blue JayBlue JayThe Blue Jay is a passerine bird in the family Corvidae, native to North America. It is resident through most of eastern and central United States and southern Canada, although western populations may be migratory. It breeds in both deciduous and coniferous forests, and is common near and in...
but they are not covered here.
Traditional usage
Beside a food source the InuitInuitThe Inuit are a group of culturally similar indigenous peoples inhabiting the Arctic regions of Canada , Denmark , Russia and the United States . Inuit means “the people” in the Inuktitut language...
had several other ways of using birds:- Skins from larger birds were used as towels.
- Wings may have been used to dust or sweep.
- Skins were used as make containers, slippers and if caribou were scarce parkasAnorakAn anorak or parka is a type of heavy jacket with a hood, often lined with fur or fake fur, so as to protect the face from a combination of freezing temperatures and wind...
. - Children, mainly boys, would often learn to hunt by throwing stones at small birds.
Ducks (Mitiq, Mitik), Geese and Swans, – Anatidae
- Whistling Swan (ᖃᒡᔪᒃ, Qugjuq, Qugyuk) Cygnus columbianus
- Tundra SwanBewick's SwanThe Tundra Swan is a small Holarctic swan. The two taxa within it are usually regarded as conspecific, but are also sometimes split into two species, Cygnus bewickii of the Palaearctic and the Whistling Swan, C. columbianus proper, of the Nearctic...
(Bewick's Swan, Qugjuk) Cygnus columbianus - Greater white-fronted GooseWhite-fronted GooseThe Greater White-fronted Goose is a species of goose. The Greater White-fronted Goose is more closely related to the smaller Lesser White-fronted Goose...
(White-fronted Goose, ᓂᕐᓕᒃ, Nirlivik, Niglik) Anser albifrons - Snow GooseSnow GooseThe Snow Goose , also known as the Blue Goose, is a North American species of goose. Its name derives from the typically white plumage. The genus of this bird is disputed...
(ᑲᖑᖅ, Kanguq) Chen caerulescens - Ross's GooseRoss's GooseThe Ross's Goose is a North American species of goose.The American Ornithologists' Union places this species and the other two "white" geese in the genus Chen rather than the more traditional "grey" goose genus Anser.This goose breeds in northern Canada, mainly in the Queen Maud Gulf Migratory...
(ᖄᕌᕐᔪᒃ) Chen rossii or Anser rossii - Brant GooseBrent GooseThe Brant or Brent Goose, Branta bernicla, is a species of goose of the genus Branta. The Black Brant is an American subspecies. The specific descriptor bernicla is from the same source as "barnacle" in Barnacle Goose, which looks similar but is not a close relation.-Appearance:The Brant Goose is...
(Brent Goose, ᓂᕐᓕᖕᓇᖅ, Nirliq, Nigliknak) Branta bernicla - Canada GooseCanada GooseThe Canada Goose is a wild goose belonging to the genus Branta, which is native to arctic and temperate regions of North America, having a black head and neck, white patches on the face, and a brownish-gray body....
(ᓂᕐᓕᒃ ᐅᓗᐊᒍᓪᓕᒃ, Uluagullik) Branta canadensis - Northern PintailNorthern PintailThe Pintail or Northern Pintail is a widely occurring duck which breeds in the northern areas of Europe, Asia and North America. It is strongly migratory and winters south of its breeding range to the equator...
(ᖁᒻᒧᐊᔫᖅ, Qummnajunq (flies toward sky)) Anas acuta - Common EiderCommon EiderThe Common Eider, Somateria mollissima, is a large sea-duck that is distributed over the northern coasts of Europe, North America and eastern Siberia. It breeds in Arctic and some northern temperate regions, but winters somewhat farther south in temperate zones, when it can form large flocks on...
(ᒥᑎᖅ ᐊᒪᐅᓕᒡᔪᐊᖅ, Mitiq, Female: Hurluktuq, Male: Amaulik) Somateria mollissima - King EiderKing EiderThe King Eider is a large sea duck that breeds along northern hemisphere Arctic coasts of northeast Europe, North America and Asia. The birds spend most of the year in coastal marine ecosystems at high latitudes, and migrate to Arctic tundra to breed in June and July...
(ᒥᑎᖅ ᕿᖔᓕᒃ, Female: Mitiinnaq, Male: Qingalik, Qingalaaq (one with a nose)) Somateria spectabilis - Harlequin DuckHarlequin DuckThe Harlequin Duck is a small sea duck. It takes its name from Arlecchino, Harlequin in French, a colourfully dressed character in Commedia dell'arte. The species name comes from the Latin word "histrio", "actor". In North America it is also known as Lords and ladies...
(ᐃᕕᒐᖅ, Tulajun (flies short distances and lands)) Histrionicus histrionicus - OldsquawLong-tailed DuckThe Long-tailed Duck or Oldsquaw is a medium-sized sea duck. It is the only living member of its genus, Clangula; this was formerly used for the goldeneyes, with the Long-tailed Duck being placed in Harelda...
(Long-tailed Duck, ᐊᒡᒋᐊᕐᔪᒃ (ᐊᒡᒋᖅ), Aahanngiq, Ahaanliq) Clangula hyemalis - Red-breasted MerganserRed-breasted MerganserThe Red-breasted Merganser is a diving duck.-Taxonomy:The Red-breasted Merganser was one of the many species originally described by Linnaeus in his 18th-century work, Systema Naturae.-Description:...
(ᑲᔾᔨᖅᑑᖅ, Nujaralik (looks to have hair)) Mergus serrator
Loons - Gaviidae
- Arctic LoonBlack-throated DiverThe Black-throated Loon is a migratory aquatic bird found in the northern hemisphere. The species is known as an Arctic Loon in North America and the Black-throated Diver in Eurasia, its current name is a compromise proposed by the International Ornithological Committee.-Taxonomy:The...
(Black-throated Diver, ᑲᒡᓗᓕᒃ, Marliq, Kaglulik) Gavia arctica - Red-throated LoonRed-throated DiverThe Red-throated Loon or Red-throated Diver is a migratory aquatic bird found in the northern hemisphere. It breeds primarily in Arctic regions, and winters in northern coastal waters. It is the most widely distributed member of the loon or diver family. Ranging from in length, the Red-throated...
(Red-throated Diver, ᖃᖅᓴᐅᖅ, Qaqhauq, Qaqsauq) Gavia stellata - Pacific LoonPacific DiverThe Pacific Loon or Pacific Diver , is a medium-sized member of the loon, or diver, family. It may be conspecific with Black-throated Diver/Arctic Loon, which it closely resembles....
(Pacific Diver, ᖃᖅᓴᐅᑦ ᐊᐃᑉᐸᖏᑦ) Gavia pacifica - Common LoonGreat Northern DiverThe Great Northern Loon, Great Northern Diver, or Common Loon , is a large member of the loon, or diver, family of birds...
(Great Northern Diver, ᑑᓪᓪᓕᒡᔪᐊᖅ, Tuulligjuak) Gavia immer - Yellow-billed Loon (White-billed Diver, ᑑᓪᓪᓕᒡᔪᐊᖅ, Tuullik) Gavia adamsii
Tubenoses - Procellariidae
- Northern FulmarFulmarFulmars are seabirds of the family Procellariidae. The family consists of two extant species and two that are extinct.-Taxonomy:As members of Procellaridae and then the order Procellariiformes, they share certain traits. First, they have nasal passages that attach to the upper bill called...
(ᕐᑲᕐᑯᓪᓗᒃ, Qaqulluk) Fulmarus glacialis
Birds of prey - Accipitridae
- Rough-legged HawkRough-legged BuzzardThe Rough-legged Buzzard , called the Rough-legged Hawk in North America, is a medium-large bird of prey. It is found in Arctic and Subarctic regions of North America and Eurasia during the breeding season and migrates south for the winter.The species exhibits a wide variety of plumage patterns...
(Rough-legged Buzzard, ᑳᔫᖅ (ᖃᓄᐊᔪᐊᖅ), Qirliq) Buteo lagopus
Falcons – Falconidae
- Peregrine FalconPeregrine FalconThe Peregrine Falcon , also known as the Peregrine, and historically as the Duck Hawk in North America, is a widespread bird of prey in the family Falconidae. A large, crow-sized falcon, it has a blue-gray back, barred white underparts, and a black head and "moustache"...
(ᑭᒡᒐᕕᐊᕐᔪᒃ, Kilgavik) Falco peregrinus tundrius - Gyr Falcon (ᑭᒡᒐᕕᒃ, Kilgavikpak) Falco rusticolus
Grouse – Tetraonidae
- Ptarmigan (Qangqiiq) Tetraonidae
- Willow GrouseWillow GrouseThe Willow Ptarmigan , also known as the Willow Grouse, is a bird of the grouse subfamily. It is a sedentary species, breeding in birch and other forests and moorlands in the tundra of Scandinavia, Siberia, Alaska, northern Canada, in particular the province of Newfoundland and Labrador...
(Willow Grouse, ᐊᕐᑭᒡᒋᕕᒃ, Aqiligiq uvvalu, Aqilgvik) Lagopus lagopus - Rock Ptarmigan (Ptarmigan, ᐊᕐᑭᒡᒋᖅ ᐊᑕᔪᓕᒃ, Nikhaaktuq Aqiligvik, Aqilgiq) Lagopus muta or mutus (Official bird of Nunavut)
Plovers – Charadriidae
- Black-bellied PloverGrey PloverThe Grey Plover , known as the Black-bellied Plover in North America, is a medium-sized plover breeding in arctic regions. It is a long-distance migrant, with a nearly worldwide coastal distribution when not breeding....
(Grey Plover, ᑑᓪᓕᒐᕐᔪᒃ, Quilliquliaq) Pluvialis squatarola - American Golden PloverAmerican Golden PloverThe American Golden Plover is a medium-sized plover.Adults are spotted gold and black on the crown, back and wings. Their face and neck are black with a white border; they have a black breast and a dark rump. The legs are black....
(American Golden Plover, ᖀᕐᓕᐊᔪᖅ (ᕐᑮᕐᓕᒃ), Tuulligaaq, Tuusiik) Pluvialis dominica - Common Ringed PloverRinged PloverThe Common Ringed Plover or Ringed Plover is a small plover.Adults are 17-19.5 cm in length with a 35–41 cm wingspan. They have a grey-brown back and wings, a white belly, and a white breast with one black neckband. They have a brown cap, a white forehead, a black mask around the eyes...
(Ringed Plover, ᖁᓪᓕᕐᑯᓕᐊᖅ (ᓕᕕᓪᓕᕕᓪᓛᖅ)) Charadrius hiaticula - Semipalmated PloverSemipalmated PloverThe Semipalmated Plover is a small plover.This species weighs and measures in length and across the wings. Adults have a grey-brown back and wings, a white belly, and a white breast with one black neckband...
(ᖁᓪᓕᖁᓕᐊᕐᔪᒃ) Charadrius semipalmatus
Typical waders – Scolopacidae
- Red-necked PhalaropeRed-necked PhalaropeThe Red-necked Phalarope, Phalaropus lobatus, is a small wader. This phalarope breeds in the Arctic regions of North America and Eurasia. It is migratory, and, unusually for a wader, winters at sea on tropical oceans....
(ᓴᐅᕐᕌᖅ) Phalaropus lobatus - Red PhalaropeRed PhalaropeThe Red Phalarope , Phalaropus fulicarius, is a small wader. This phalarope breeds in the Arctic regions of North America and Eurasia...
(ᓴᐅᕐᕌᖅ, Haavraq) Phalaropus fulicaria - Red KnotRed KnotThe Red Knot, Calidris canutus , is a medium sized shorebird which breeds in tundra and the Arctic Cordillera in the far north of Canada, Europe, and Russia. It is a large member of the Calidris sandpipers, second only to the Great Knot...
(ᓯᒃᔭᕆᐊᖅ, Higjariaq) Calidris canutus - Ruddy TurnstoneTurnstoneTurnstones are the bird species in the genus Arenaria in the family Scolopacidae. They are closely related to calidrid sandpipers and might be considered members of the tribe Calidriini....
(Turnstone, ᑐᕻᕕᑎᑎᖅᑭᐅᖅ) Arenaria interpres - SanderlingSanderlingThe Sanderling is a small wader. It is a circumpolar Arctic breeder, and is a long-distance migrant, wintering south to South America, South Europe, Africa, and Australia...
(ᓯᒃᔭᕆᐊᕐᔪᒃ) Calidris alba - Sandpipers Scolopacidae
- Semipalmated SandpiperSemipalmated SandpiperThe Semipalmated Sandpiper, Calidris pusilla, is a very small shorebird. It is sometimes separated with other "stints" in Erolia but although these apparently form a monophyletic group, the present species' old genus Ereunetes had been proposed before Erolia.Adults have black legs and a short stout...
(ᓯᒃᔭᕆᐊᖅ, Higyariak) Calidris pusilla - Least SandpiperLeast SandpiperThe Least Sandpiper is the smallest shorebird.This species has greenish legs and a short thin dark bill. Breeding adults are brown with dark brown streaks on top and white underneath. They have a light line above the eye and a dark crown. In winter, Least Sandpipers are grey above...
(ᓯᒃᔭᕆᐊᖅ) Calidris minutilla - White-rumped SandpiperWhite-rumped SandpiperThe White-rumped Sandpiper is a small shorebird.Adults have black legs and a small thin dark bill. The body is dark brown on top and mainly white underneath, with brown streaks on the breast and a white rump. They have a white stripe over their eyes. This bird shows long wings in flight. In winter...
(ᓯᒃᔭᕆᐊᕐᔪᒃ, Higjariaq) Calidris fuscicollis - Baird's SandpiperBaird's SandpiperThe Baird's Sandpiper is a small shorebird. It is among those calidrids sometimes separated in Erolia.Adults have black legs and a short thin dark bill. They are dark brown on top and mainly white underneath with a black patch on the rump. The head and breast are light brown with dark streaks. In...
(ᑐᐃᑐᐃᖅ, Higyariak) Calidris bairdii - Pectoral SandpiperPectoral SandpiperThe Pectoral Sandpiper, Calidris melanotos, is a small wader. It is sometimes separated with the "stint" sandpipers in Erolia. This may or may not represent a good monophyletic group, depending on the placement of the phylogenetically enigmatic Curlew Sandpiper , the type species of Erolia...
(ᓯᒃᔭᕆᐊᖅ) Calidris melanotos - Purple SandpiperPurple SandpiperThe Purple Sandpiper, Calidris, Arquatella or Erolia maritima is a small shorebird.Adults have short yellow legs and a medium thin dark bill with a yellow base. The body is dark on top with a slight purplish gloss and mainly white underneath. The breast is smeared with grey and the rump is black...
(ᓯᒃᔭᕆᐊᕐᔪᒃ) Calidris acuminata - DunlinDunlinThe Dunlin, Calidris alpina, is a small wader, sometimes separated with the other "stints" in Erolia. It is a circumpolar breeder in Arctic or subarctic regions. Birds that breed in northern Europe and Asia are long-distance migrants, wintering south to Africa, southeast Asia and the Middle East...
(ᑐᐊᒡᒐᔪᖅ) Calidris alpina - Stilt SandpiperStilt SandpiperThe Stilt Sandpiper, Calidris himantopus or Micropalama himantopus, is a small shorebird; it bears some resemblance to the smaller calidrid sandpipers or "stints". DNA sequence information is incapable of determining whether it should be placed in Calidris or in the monotypic genus Micropalama...
(ᓯᒃᔭᕆᐊᖅ, Higjariaq) Calidris himantopus - Buff-breasted SandpiperBuff-breasted SandpiperThe Buff-breasted Sandpiper, Tryngites subruficollis, is a small shorebird. It is a calidrid sandpipers and currently considered to be the only member of the genus Tryngites. Indeed, it probably belongs in the genus Calidris itself, or more precisely with the small species thereof which should be...
(ᓯᒃᔭᕆᐊᖅ) Tryngites subruficollis
Jaegers (Skuas, ᐃᓱᙵᖅ, Ihunngait, Ihunngaq, Isunngait) - Stercorariidae
- Pomarine JaegerPomarine SkuaThe Pomarine Skua, Stercorarius pomarinus, known as Pomarine Jaeger in North America, is a seabird in the skua family Stercorariidae. It is a migrant, wintering at sea in the tropical oceans.- Taxonomy :...
(Pomarine Skua, ᐃᓱᙵᕐᓗᒃ, Isunngarluk) Stercorarius pomarinus - Parasitic JaegerArctic SkuaThe Parasitic Jaeger, also known as the Arctic Skua or Parasitic Skua, is a seabird in the skua family Stercorariidae....
(Arctic Skua, ᐃᓱᙵᖅ ᓂᐸᖏᐊᖅ, Isunngaq Nipangiaq) Stercorarius parasiticus - Long-tailed JaegerLong-tailed SkuaThe Long-tailed Skua, Stercorarius longicaudus is a seabird in the skua family Stercorariidae....
(Long-tailed Skua, ᐃᓱᙵᖅ, Isunngaq) Stercorarius longicaudus
Gulls (ᓇᐅᔭᖅ, Naujaq) – Laridae
- Herring Gull (ᓇᐅᔭ ᖃᒃᓯᒃ, Nauja Quksik) Larus argentatus
- Iceland GullIceland GullThe Iceland Gull, Larus glaucoides, is a large gull which breeds in the Arctic regions of Canada and Greenland, but not Iceland, where it is only seen in the winter. It is migratory, wintering from in the North Atlantic as far south as the British Isles and northernmost states of the eastern USA,...
(ᓇᐅᔭᕕᒃ) Larus glaucoides - Glaucous GullGlaucous GullThe Glaucous Gull is a large gull which breeds in the Arctic regions of the northern hemisphere and the Atlantic coasts of Europe. It is migratory, wintering from in the North Atlantic and North Pacific oceans as far south as the British Isles and northernmost states of the USA, also on the Great...
(ᓇᐅᔭᕕᒡᔪᐊᖅ, ᕐᑲᐅᒪᐅᒃ, Naujaq, Naujavigjuaq) Larus hyperboreus - Thayer's GullThayer's GullThe Thayer's Gull is a large gull native to North America that breeds in the Arctic islands of Canada and primarily winters on the Pacific coast, from southern Alaska to the Gulf of California, though there are also wintering populations on the Great Lakes and the upper Mississippi River...
(Kumlien's Gull, ᓇᐅᔭᕕᒃ, Iqalgagiaq) Larus thayeri - Ross's GullRoss's GullThe Ross's Gull is a small gull, the only species in its genus, although it has been suggested it should be moved to the genus Hydrocoloeus, which otherwise only includes the Little Gull....
(ᓇᐅᔭ) Rhodostethia rosea - Ivory GullIvory GullThe Ivory Gull Pagophila eburnea is a small gull, the only species in its genus. It breeds in the high arctic and has a circumpolar distribution through Greenland, northernmost North America, and Eurasia.-Taxonomy:...
(ᓇᐅᔭᕚᖅ, Naujavaaq) Pagophila eburnea - Black-legged KittiwakeKittiwakeThe kittiwakes are two closely related seabird species in the gull family Laridae, the Black-legged Kittiwake and the Red-legged Kittiwake . The epithets "Black-legged" and "Red-legged" are used to distinguish the two species in North America, but in Europe, where R...
(ᑎᕋᑎᕌᖅ, Tiratira) Rissa tridactyla - Sabine's GullSabine's GullThe Sabine's Gull is a small gull. Its generic placement is disputed; some authors treat it as the sole species in the genus Xema as Xema sabini, while others retain it in the genus Larus as Larus sabini. It breeds in the arctic and has a circumpolar distribution through northernmost North America...
(ᐃᕐᑭᒡᒐᒋᐊᕐᔪᒃ, Iqalgagiaq, Iqilgagiqq, Iqqiggagiarjuk) Xema sabini
Auks (Tuulligjuak) - Alcidae
- Atlantic PuffinAtlantic PuffinThe Atlantic Puffin is a seabird species in the auk family. It is a pelagic bird that feeds primarily by diving for fish, but also eats other sea creatures, such as squid and crustaceans. Its most obvious characteristic during the breeding season is its brightly coloured bill...
(ᓯᒡᒍᑲᓪᓚᓖᑦ ᑎᒻᒥᐊᑦ) Fratercula arctica - Black GuillemotBlack GuillemotThe Black Guillemot or Tystie is a medium-sized alcid.Adult birds have black bodies with a white wing patch, a thin dark bill, and red legs and feet. They show white wing linings in flight. In winter, the upperparts are pale grey and the underparts are white. The wings remain black with the large...
(ᐱᑦᑎᐅᓛᖅ (ᐱᑦᓯᐅᓛᖅ), Pittiulaaq) Cepphus grylle - DovekieLittle AukThe Little Auk, or Dovekie , is a small auk, the only member of the genus Alle. It breeds on islands in the high Arctic. There are two subspecies: A. a. alle breeds in Greenland, Iceland, Novaya Zemlya and Spitsbergen, and A. a...
(Little Auk, ᐊᒃᐸᓕᐊᕐᔪᒃ (ᐊᑉᐸᓕᐊᕐᔪᒃ), Akpaliarjuk) Alle alle - RazorbillRazorbillThe Razorbill is colonial seabird that will only come to land in order to breed. It is the largest living member of the Auk family. This agile bird will choose only one partner for life and females will lay one egg per year. Razorbills will nest along coastal cliffs in enclosed or slightly exposed...
(ᐊᑉᐸᐃᑦ ᐊᐃᑉᐸᖏᑦ) Alca torda - Thick-billed MurreBrünnich's GuillemotThe Thick-billed Murre or Brünnich's Guillemot is a bird in the auk family . This bird is named after the Danish zoologist Morten Thrane Brünnich...
(Brünnich's Guillemot, ᐊᑉᐸ, Atpa, Akpa) Uria lomvia
Owls – Strigidae
- Snowy OwlSnowy OwlThe Snowy Owl is a large owl of the typical owl family Strigidae. The Snowy Owl was first classified in 1758 by Carolus Linnaeus, the Swedish naturalist who developed binomial nomenclature to classify and organize plants and animals. The bird is also known in North America as the Arctic Owl, Great...
(ᐅᒃᐱᒡᔪᐊᖅ, Ukpik, Upik, Ookpik) Bubo scandiacus sometimes still listed as Nyctea scandiaca
Larks – Alaudidae
- Horned LarkShore LarkThe Shore Lark , called the Horned Lark in North America, is a species of bird in the genus Eremophila.- Description :...
(Shore Lark, ᖃᐅᕈᓪᓕᒐᖅ, Qupanuaqpaarjuk) Eremophila alpestris
Pipits – Motacillidae
- American PipitBuff-bellied PipitThe Buff-bellied Pipit , or American Pipit as it is known in North America, is a small songbird found on both sides of the northern Pacific. It was first described by Marmaduke Tunstall in his 1771 Ornithologia Britannica...
(Buff-bellied Pipit, ᖃᐃᕐᖔᖅ, Qupanuaq) Anthus rubescens
Finches – Fringillidae
- Common Redpoll (ᓴᒃᓴᒋᐊᖅ, Hakhagiaq) Carduelis flammea
- Hoary Redpoll (ᓴᒃᓴᒋᐊᖅ, Hakhagiaq) Carduelis hornemanni
Buntings and American sparrows- Emberizidae
- Lapland LongspurLapland BuntingThe Lapland Longspur or Lapland Bunting, Calcarius lapponicus, is a passerine bird in the longspur family Calcariidae, a group separated by most modern authors from the Fringillidae ....
(Lapland Bunting, ᕿᕐᓂᖅᑖᖅ, Qupanuaq, Nahaullik) Calcarius lapponicus - Snow BuntingSnow BuntingThe Snow Bunting , sometimes colloquially called a snowflake, is a passerine bird in the longspur family Calcariidae. It is an arctic specialist, with a circumpolar Arctic breeding range throughout the northern hemisphere...
(ᖃᐅᓪᓗᖅᑖᖅ, Amauliqaq, Amaulikkaaq, Amauligijuaq (looks like it has a hood from a woman's parka)) Plectrophenax nivalis - Savannah SparrowSavannah SparrowThe Savannah Sparrow is a small American sparrow. It is the only widely accepted member of the genus Passerculus...
(ᖁᐸᓄᐊᖅ) Passerculus sandwichensis - White-crowned SparrowWhite-crowned SparrowThe White-crowned Sparrow is a medium-sized sparrow native to North America.- Description :Adults are long and have black and white stripes on their head, a grey face, brown streaked upper parts and a long tail. The wings are brown with bars and the underparts are grey. Their bill is pink or yellow...
(ᖁᐸᓄᐊᖅ) Zonotrichia leucophrys - Harris's SparrowHarris's SparrowThe Harris's Sparrow, Zonotrichia querula, is a large sparrow.Their breeding habitat is the north part of central Canada . In fact, this bird is Canada's only endemic breeder...
(ᖁᐸᓄᐊᖅ) Zonotrichia querula
Further reading
- Birds of Nunavut - Introduction by J.S. Wendt, bird descriptions by M. Wyndham (Canadian Wildlife ServiceCanadian Wildlife ServiceThe Canadian Wildlife Service or CWS is a branch of the Department of the Environment, also known as Environment Canada, a department of the Government of Canada....
) and traditional knowledge by Eva Arreak, published by the Baffin Divisional Board of Education. ISBN 1-55036-544-4 (This is not the same book as "Birds of Nunavut v3.5" by Peter W. Thayer ISBN 1-887148-78-7) - G. Ohokak, M. Kadlun & B. Harnum "Inuinnaqtun-English Dictionary" published by the Kitikmeot Heritage Society and based upon Kangiryuarniut Uqauhingita Numiktittidjutingit by R. Lowe
- Asuilaak Living Dictionary
External links
- Department of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development, NT
- Birds of Nunavut Birdlist, multi-lingual website by country with standardized codes for abundance and seasonal presence.