You can help pick Rainy River's "Official Bird"

News Release
Town of RR

The local birding subcommittee needs your help to pick an official bird!
A picture of this bird will be used to help advertize birding in the western Rainy River District.
At its meeting on May 18, the subcommittee made a list of what features the official bird needs to have.
Preferably, the bird should be a year-round resident of the Rainy River District. Visitors need to be able to see this bird in summer or winter.
It needs to be a kind of bird found here, but few (or no) other places in Ontario. Fortunately, we have many birds like that in our district.
Most importantly, the bird’s picture needs to look good in both color and black and white. The bird symbol will be on everything from websites to brochures.
Here are four birds the committee liked. Do you have a favorite?
The Black-Billed Magpie is a large prairie bird with black, white and green feathers.
Magpies live here all year, and are usually found in only two places in Ontario: Rainy River and Dryden.
The Sharp-Tailed Grouse is another large prairie bird that ranges into our district.
In the springtime, male birds can be seen in local fields doing a special dance.
The males stretch out their wings flat, puff up pink sacs under their eyes and then turn in circles. You won’t forget it once you’ve seen it!
The Bald Eagle was another popular committee choice. A huge Bald Eagle circling overhead is an amazing sight.
These birds were once endangered, but are now recovering. You can see them across the Rainy River District.
Although not a year-round resident, the fourth choice was another special prairie bird the Yellow-Headed Blackbird. It has spectacular black and yellow feathers.
Ontarians can see Yellow-Headed Blackbirds only here and in the far south of the province around Lake St. Clair.
Which of these four would be your choice? Or, would you choose another bird?
The birding subcommittee would like to hear from you! Your input is very important in choosing the official bird.
Please drop off your vote in writing at the Rainy River Town Office, email the town at rainyriver@tbaytel.net, or, take our on-line survey.
For more information... please contact the Town of Rainy River Office at 807.852.3244