In a triumph of avian democracy, the charming Black-capped Chickadee has claimed the prestigious title of Regina’s official bird, soaring above contenders like the Canada Goose, American Pelican, and Grey Partridge in a citywide vote.
The Royal Saskatchewan Museum’s Ryan Fisher staunchly defended the chickadee during the online voting process, held last month on the city’s website. With over 8,500 votes, the Black-capped Chickadee emerged victorious, a testament to the passion of Regina residents for their feathered friends.
Mayor Sandra Masters, present for the bird’s official unveiling, expressed contentment with any of the six candidates but praised the community’s choice. Regina’s commitment to avian welfare was reinforced when, in March 2022, the city was declared bird-friendly through Nature Canada’s Bird Friendly City Program.
Bird Friendly City Regina, a volunteer committee comprising community members and environmental nonprofits, played a pivotal role in securing Regina’s bird-friendly status. Angela Tremka, Program Coordinator for Bird Friendly Regina, lauded the community’s enthusiasm during the voting process, emphasizing the excellent choice in the Black-capped Chickadee as the official city bird.
Residents displayed remarkable engagement, submitting over 21,000 votes via Regina.ca/bird. The six contenders included the American Pelican, Canada Goose, Gray Partridge, Peregrine Falcon, and Red-breasted Nuthatch.
Regina’s Bird Friendly City Committee, with members from organizations like Nature Saskatchewan, Nature Regina, and Salthaven West, has been instrumental in promoting avian well-being. The committee officially designated Regina as a Bird City through Nature Canada’s Bird Friendly City Program.
Regina residents are encouraged to visit Regina.ca/bird for information on protecting local birds and opportunities to share pictures of these feathered inhabitants. As the Black-capped Chickadee takes its perch as Regina’s official bird, the city continues to celebrate its thriving bird-friendly status, a testament to the community’s commitment to its winged residents.