A bird watcher’s paradise
Bird watching is an essential activity on the south end of Vancouver Island!
The Salish Sea is on the “Pacific flyway” for many different bird species. Birds that spend all or part of their life cycle in the region include the bald eagle, harlequin duck, pigeon guillemot, rhinoceros auklet, common murre, red-necked phalarope, osprey and turkey vulture. There are also many gull and duck species, and a wide range of intertidal and shorebirds including the black turnstone, surfbird, black oystercatcher, and so on. It’s an ornithologist’s dream!
Our knowledgeable and passionate marine naturalists are eager to introduce you to our feathered neighbours. Just in case you aren’t able to join us here in Victoria, here’s a quick guide to some of the most often seen marine birds in the region. From the comfort of your own home, you can experience the biodiversity of one of our marine adventures.
Thank you for being a part of the Eagle Wing Tours adventure…enjoy!
Foot-Propelled Diving Birds

Phalacrocorax penicillatus
Brandt’s Cormorant

Gavia immer
Common Loon

Phalacrocorax auritus
Double-Crested Cormorant

Gavia pacifica
Pacific Loon

Phalacrocorax pelagicus
Pelagic Cormorant
Raptors

Haliaeetus leucocephalus
Bald Eagle

Pandion haliaetus
Osprey

Falco peregrinus
Peregrine Falcon

Cathartes aura
Turkey Vulture
Shorebirds

Ceryle alcyon
Belted Kingfisher

Haematopus bachmani
Black Oystercatcher

Arenaria melanocephala
Black Turnstone

Pelecanus occidentalis
Brown Pelican

Ardea herodias
Great Blue Heron

Phalaropus lobatu
Red-Necked Phalarope