Magpie or blue jay? Calgary councillor says it's time to choose the city's official bird

One city councillor thinks it's time for Calgary to choose an official bird and local residents should get a vote.

Coun.Kourtney Penner plans to bringforward a notice of motion on Tuesday to hold a public vote on the city's official bird. Five birds are contending for the title: the black-capped chickadee, northern flicker, red-breasted nuthatch, blue jay and black-billed magpie.

Yes, even the magpie is a contender.

"While my children affectionately refer to them as bully birds, they're actually also very good at keeping our city clean, and they're very good at keeping our city pest free,"said Penner, who represents Ward 11.

Penner said this push to have a vote on an official bird is a citizen-led initiative, particularly from a local volunteer group called Bird Friendly Calgary.

"[It's] really important for Calgary to recognize we do have a very biodiverse neighborhood," Penner said.

"We are a bird enthusiastic city."

In 2021, Calgary became one of the first cities in the country to be certified by Nature Canada as bird friendly, according to a news release from Penner's office. The city is home to more than 200 bird species.

If Penner's motion goes forward, Calgarians would get to vote online for the official bird between April 1 and May 1. The winner wouldbe announced on May 14, World Migratory Bird Day.

Biodiversity and wildlife in the city

Penner said choosing an official bird for Calgary means "recognizing the importance of biodiversity in our cities."

"We're really trying to drive the conversation around the importance of integrating urban wildlife into the city and talking about having a healthy ecological habitat," she said.

According to Penner, Bird Friendly Calgary brought forward the five species for consideration after consulting with local Indigenous groups and nature organizations.

The volunteer group plans to provide educational information to inform Calgarians about each bird during the voting period.