Search is on for Canada’s official bird

By Eugenio Mendoza

 

Canadian Geographic is conducting a survey to select Canada’s national bird.

The National Bird Project was initiated by the magazine in an effort to get the public involved in a decision that is often left to specialists and political officials.

Jessica Rabideau, 20, studies at the University of Windsor and said she always thought the Canada goose was the national bird. She also said she believes the survey is a good idea.

“I think it would be cool for people to see a bird and think of Canada,” said Rabideau. “It will remind people of Canada all over the world or wherever the bird goes.”

Cordell Green, a child and youth worker student at St. Clair College, said he doesn’t believe the survey is important.

“I think having an official bird wouldn’t do much,” said Green. “It isn’t important to me personally, because the way I see it is that Canada is known for more than just a bird or a leaf.”

Many countries, such as the U.S., identify strongly with their national bird. While some people are concerned Canada’s identity would begin to rely on a national bird, others don’t see it as a problem.

Gordon Gacic, a student of Catholic Central High School, said he is not worried about this becoming a dilemma.

“If Canada were to have an official bird, I believe it wouldn’t change its status to the way others view the country as a whole. Canada already has enough symbols to represent themselves,” said Gacic.

Green said he believes the United States’ relationship with their national bird the bald eagle, has more to do with traditions being passed on rather than identity.

“They see the eagle as a symbol because it’s what they grew up hearing. They grew up with people giving it meaning that it didn’t have originally,” Green said.

The birds currently with the most votes are the common loon and snowy owl with the Canada goose coming in at fourth. Voting is open until the end of December with the winner being announced in their January 2016 issue. Canadian Geographic hopes to have a decision made and votes tallied in time for 2017 which coincides with Canada’s 150th birthday.