Bird’s Name: The Bald Eagle

Cultural Importance: Bald Eagles are considered sacred among the Algonquin people. They would adorn themselves with its feathers to represent varying degrees of rank or prowess in battle. The Bald Eagle’s ability to soar upwards establishes a connection between the people and the Creator for many Algonquin people.

Habitat Description: The Bald Eagle’s habitat is below the branches near the top of trees, nearing the peak. The nest is very large and durable nest, which provides The Bald Eagle protection and shelter.

Rarity: Uncommon; Summer Season

 Photograph: Larry Paul

Bird’s Name: Red-shouldered Hawk

Cultural Importance: Hawks are symbols of spirit, wisdom and power according to Algonquin culture. Their have feathers have an important significance in ceremonies and ceremonial dress. They are considered sacred.

Habitat Description: The Red-shouldered Hawk habitat includes deciduous forests, wooded margins of marshes, swamps, river bottoms, or anywhere else generally wet. Their nests are usually high rising in trees, and decorated with many green plants and branches.

Rarity: Rare; Summer Season

  Ref : http://www.pbase.com/bjramsay/profile

Bird’s Name: The Golden Eagle

Cultural Importance: The Golden Eagle signifies tremendous prestige within the Algonquin community. Feathers from the Eagle adorn elaborate clothing. The Golden Eagle was honored with the Eagle Dance, which is performed in honor and memory of recently deceased chiefs or other persons of social status.

Habitat Description: Generally, The Golden Eagle resides in a cliff or an escarpment, but they may also sometimes live in trees similar to the habitat of a Bald Eagle. The bird’s nests are immense in size.

Rarity: Rare; Migration, Year Round

Photograph:  Michel Mongeon

Bird’s Name: Redheaded Woodpecker

Cultural Importance: The Redheaded Woodpecker is considered sacred because its fiery red feathers and colorful plumage represent the sun, a life-sustaining element to the Algonquin culture. Their feathers were used in design of important ceremonial objects because of their vivid and bright colors.

Habitat Description: The Redheaded Woodpeckers occupy cavities in bark-less, dead tree trunks from ground level and upwards up to 75 feet above. Their habitats are excavated in isolated regions, but they may also inhabit more unusual sites such as buildings.

Rarity: Very rare; Summer Season

Photograph: Pic à tête rouge, 3 septembre 2002 à Iberville
Découvert par D. Dessureault et D. Côté-Trussart
Photographié par Gilles Aubin

Bird’s Name: Marsh Owl

Cultural Importance: According to Algonquin culture, the Marsh Owl is associated with magic and clairvoyance. They are believed to be very wise and to be guides to persevere through tough situations. They are considered to have a certain spirituality as well.

Habitat Description: The Marsh Owl’s nests are usually situated within grass mounds, among floral cover. Their nests are lined with grass stems, stalks, and feathers. They are abundant is fields, marshes, meadows and arctic tundra.

Rarity: Uncommon; Summer Season

Photograph:  Fabrice Croset; http://www.oiseau-libre.net/Oiseaux/Palearctique-especes/Hibou-marais.html

Bird’s Name: Peregrine Falcon

Cultural Importance: The Peregrine Falcon was a symbol of strength and power similar to the eagles. Many hunters wore feathers of the Peregrine Falcon

and adorned themselves with feathers and painted eye patterns for special ceremonies. The falcons were believed to be connected to elemental forces such as rain, thunder and wind also.

Habitat Description: The Peregrine Falcon’s nest is found within a cliff or an escarpment similar to The Golden Eagle’s habitat. Their nests are primarily abundant during the spring and summer seasons.

Rarity: Common To Uncommon; Year Round

Photograph: Larry Paul