Cast your vote in the Official Bird of Saanich contest!

May 7, 2025

Saanich, BC – Hoo, hoo, hoo should be Saanich’s Official Bird?

That is the key question in the Official Bird of Saanich contest — a collaborative initiative between Swan Lake Nature Sanctuary, the District of Saanich and you, Saanich community members!

The Official Bird Nominees include:

  • Bewick’s Wren;
  • Cooper’s Hawk;
  • Great Horned Owl; and
  • Northern Flicker.

Now, your mind may have ‘flicker’ed – how did the Swan Lake Bird Friendly City certification team choose these four nominees?

Great question! These four birds were chosen because they are all native to North America and they reside in Victoria year round. They’ve also never been chosen as the Official Bird for any other cities.

‘Wren’ and how can I vote?

  • Online voting is now open, or you can vote in person at the following locations: the Swan Lake Nature House; Saanich Municipal Hall, Cedar Hill Golf Course, Cedar Hill Recreation Centre, Gordon Head Recreation Centre, G.R. Pearkes Recreation Centre and Saanich Commonwealth Place.
  • Voting is open until June 7, 2025.
  • The winning bird will be announced at the Swan Lake Nature Sanctuary’s AGM on June 12, 2025; on Swan Lake’s social media channels (@SwanLakeNature); and on the Saanich Parks, Recreation & Community Services Facebook page.

How can I vote?

The bird with the highest number of votes will win the title of Official Bird of Saanich — and will symbolize the importance of birds in our ecosystems, helping to bring awareness to birds in Saanich and representing Saanich as a Bird Friendly City in Canada.

Please help us to choose which Bird to represent our District! Rally your friends and family members to vote — but no need to get ‘hawk-ish’ – this competition is for fun (and bird bragging rights!)

Learn more

Click here to learn more about why Saanich was recently re-certified as a bird-friendly community.

Click here to learn more about the Swan Lake Nature Sanctuary and how it fosters a greater understanding of nature through direct experience.

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Media contact:
Saanich Communications
media@saanich.ca

Swan Lake Nature Sanctuary
info@swanlake.bc.ca