Category: Species Profile

Species Profile — Long-tailed Duck

Waterfowl are perhaps the most interesting animals on the planet. From high north to the deep south, and from desert to wetlands, you can find waterfowl almost anywhere. One of our favorites of all, however, is a rather hard-to-find resident of British Columbia’s coast: the Long-tailed Duck (Clangula hyemalis). As can be seen in the…
Species Profile — Trumpeter Swan

There’s no denying it: wetlands play a critical role in providing habitats for a variety of life. Studies have found that over 900 species require wetlands, with 64% of all endangered and threatened animal species needing access to them during some point in their life. In Canada, approximately 45 of the 95 species classified as…
Species Profile — Six-Spotted Fishing Spider

There are over 43,000 species of spiders across the globe, about 3,400 of which are found in North America, and 729 confirmed to be found in B.C. Spiders are one of the smallest creatures to instil such great amounts of fear in people. The species of nursery web spider that will be the focus of…
Species Profile — Coastal Tailed Frog

The Coastal Tailed Frog (Ascaphus truei) is very unique species whose range extends from northern B.C. to California. Tadpoles may grow to about 3 centimeters in length and may be greyish brown, reddish brown, and black in colour. Mature coastal tailed frogs grows to about 3 centimeters in length and may be light brown, greyish…
Species Profile — Round-Leaved Sundew

For those who grew up with a Venus flytrap on the windowsill, the BogBlog’s first-ever plant feature in the Species Profile series may spark a familiar fascination—the insectivorous round-leaved sundew! Round-leaved sundew (Drosera rotundifolia) is found widely across the circumboreal region of the northern hemisphere. Common throughout British Columbia, these voracious little plants can often…
Species Profile — Rufous Hummingbird

Ah, the Rufous Hummingbird—a common yet seemingly rare bird that captures our attention and makes us stare in awe at its fiery feathers and futuristic flight. Their flight pattern is mesmerizing, darting and hovering in a way that resembles something like a spaceship. Given their status as such a captivating creature, let’s take a closer…
Species Profile — Rough-skinned Newt

Taricha granulosa, or the ‘Rough-skinned Newt’, is the only newt species in British Columbia. Confined to the coast, the Rough-skinned Newt relies on wetlands for breeding, while foraging is conducted in open seral and mixed forests near permanent water (including wetlands). Their principal targets when foraging are slugs and worms, while also commonly preying on…
Species Profile — Long-Toed Salamander

The long-toed Salamander (Ambystoma macrodactylum) is a small but fascinating amphibian found throughout much of British Columbia. Named for the distinctive elongated fourth toe on each hind foot, this species is a common—though often overlooked—resident of wetland habitats across the province. These salamanders are highly adaptable and occupy a variety of moist environments, including forests,…
Species Profile — Steller’s Jay

As the weather warms and the daylight extends, we being to hear an active chorus of springtime birds. Commonly seen foraging for food around campgrounds and parks, Steller’s jays (Cyanocitta stelleri) are the blue-winged symbol of B.C.’s healthy evergreen forests, as well as, our provincial bird! They’re known for their unmistakably blue feathers, triangle-crested heads, and…
Species Profile — Bald Eagle

Question: What is up to 4 metres deep, 2.5 metres wide, and nearly one metric ton in weight? No, the answer we are looking for is not a boat. Rather, a bald eagle’s nest. With such incredible size, it is no surprise that it houses an incredibly large bird. bald eagles have a wingspan that reaches 2.3 metres,…