Calgarians could soon vote for Calgary's official bird
Calgarians could soon be able to choose what the city's official bird will be.
Ward 11 Coun. Kourtney Penner brought forward a notice of motion on Tuesday that proposed council designate an official bird – and it be left to citizens to decide which one.
Penner's notice of motion comes after Calgary was named a Bird Friendly City by Nature Canada last year, one of four across the nation.
To obtain the designation, a city must meet several targets including reducing human-related threats to birds, habitat protection, restoration and climate resiliency, and thirdly, community outreach and education. Another requirement is that an official bird must be chosen.
"This is a wonderful opportunity to talk about the biodiversity in our city," Penner said as she introduced the motion.
After consulting with local Indigenous groups and nature organizations, a volunteer group called Bird Friendly Calgary created a list of five birds for Calgarians to choose from: the black-capped chickadee, black-billed magpie, northern flicker, red-breasted nuthatch and blue jay.
"Regrettably, I must note that Turk (Calgary's infamous urban turkey, may he rest in peace) didn't make the list … And no Canada Geese, who used to torment people outside city hall, I've been told," Penner joked.
Penner's notice of motion was approved by a vote of 13 to 1, with only Ward 4 Coun. Sean Chu voting against.
It will now go to a March 29 meeting of council for a final vote.
If approved, Calgarians will be able to vote for one of the five feathered candidates online from April 1 to May 1.
The winning bird would be announced on May 14 to coincide with World Migratory Bird Day, before council would make it official during a combined meeting of council in June.
According to Nature Canada’s website, over the past five decades, North American bird populations have dropped by more than 25 per cent. Taking a closer look, that is about three billion birds – many of which live among humans – that are gone.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
How many COVID-19 vaccine doses should you have by now?
Here is a summary of the current COVID-19 vaccination guidelines from NACI, for both children and adults who are at increased risk of serious illness and those who are not.

Victims identified as police reveal Nashville school shooter had drawn maps, done surveillance
The suspect in a Nashville school shooting on Monday had drawn a detailed map of the school, including potential entry points, and conducted surveillance before killing three students and three adults in the latest in a series of mass shootings in a country growing increasingly unnerved by bloodshed in schools.
From silicon to brain cells: How biology may hold the future of computers
As artificial intelligence software and advanced computers revolutionize modern technology, some researchers see a future where computer programmers leap from silicon to organic molecules.
Freeland's budget to include grocery rebate for lower income Canadians, here's what else to expect Tuesday
The 2023 federal budget will include a one-time 'grocery rebate' for Canadians with lower incomes who may be struggling with the rising cost of food, CTV News has confirmed.
Gender-affirming care bans expanding, access being cut: U.S. laws now targeting transgender adults
In some U.S. states, proponents of gender-affirming care bans have argued for the last few years that minors are too young to make these medical decisions — but in 2023, legislative attempts to limit the health-care options for transgender youth have expanded to a new age group: adults.
Getting an extra consultation before surgery might not give you a better outcome: Canadian study
A new study that looked at more than 300,000 patients found that a medical consultation prior to a routine surgery wasn’t connected to a better surgical outcome, suggesting these consultations might not be necessary.
Quebec girl, 9, dies after snow fort collapses behind residence
A nine-year-old girl has died after a snow fort collapsed in a forest behind a rural Quebec home.
Gwyneth Paltrow accuser calls Utah ski crash 'serious smack'
The man suing Gwyneth Paltrow over a 2016 skiing collision at one of the most upscale resorts in North America took the stand Monday, saying he was rammed into from behind and sent 'absolutely flying.' The trial in Utah hinges on who crashed into who.
Attending live sports is good for your well-being: research
If you're feeling alone or dissatisfied, a new research suggests that watching live sports in person can help you to improve your level of well-being and reduce that feeling of loneliness.