. Eastern Coyote (*Canis latrans*)

Larger than its western cousins due to historical hybridization with wolves, the Eastern Coyote is an exceptionally adaptable canine found throughout farm fields, forests, and urban ravines in Ontario. Possessing a grizzled grayish-brown coat and pointed ears, it is a opportunistic hunter eating rodents, rabbits, deer carrion, and fallen fruit. Operating individually, in pairs, or small family packs, its yipping howls are a frequent sound of rural Ontario nights.

Great Gray Owl (Strix nebulosa)
​The Great Gray Owl is North America's tallest owl by length, though mostly fluff and feathers. It inhabits the dense boreal forests and bogs of northern and central Ontario. Characterized by a massive, ringed facial disc and bright yellow eyes, it possesses extraordinarily sharp hearing. This semi-diurnal hunter can detect voles moving under two feet of hardened snow, plunging feet-first to snatch hidden prey with precise mechanical accuracy.

Northern Saw-whet Owl (Aegolius acadicus)
​As Ontario's smallest native owl, the Northern Saw-whet is roughly the size of a cat robin. It possesses a oversized, round head, white facial streaks, and no ear tufts. Preferring dense coniferous or mixed forests, this secretive, strictly nocturnal owl migrates through southern Ontario every autumn. Its catatonic daytime roosting habit makes it elusive, relying on supreme camouflage rather than flight to avoid detection while feeding on mice.

One of the smallest and cutest Toronto Raptors:)

Northern Harrier (Circus hudsonius)
​Distinguished by an owl-like facial disc and a bright white patch on its rump, the Northern Harrier is an open-country specialist found in Ontario's wetlands and pastures. It relies heavily on sound alongside keen eyesight to track prey. Flying very low to the ground with its wings held in a V-shape, this slender, long-tailed hawk glides buoyant over grassy fields to drop suddenly onto mice, songbirds, or frogs.

Northern Harrier (Circus hudsonius)
​Distinguished by an owl-like facial disc and a bright white patch on its rump, the Northern Harrier is an open-country specialist found in Ontario's wetlands and pastures. It relies heavily on sound alongside keen eyesight to track prey. Flying very low to the ground with its wings held in a V-shape, this slender, long-tailed hawk glides buoyant over grassy fields to drop suddenly onto mice, songbirds, or frogs.

Northern Harrier (Circus hudsonius)
​Distinguished by an owl-like facial disc and a bright white patch on its rump, the Northern Harrier is an open-country specialist found in Ontario's wetlands and pastures. It relies heavily on sound alongside keen eyesight to track prey. Flying very low to the ground with its wings held in a V-shape, this slender, long-tailed hawk glides buoyant over grassy fields to drop suddenly onto mice, songbirds, or frogs.

. Red Fox (*Vulpes vulpes*)

The Red Fox is Ontario's most common fox species, recognized by its reddish-orange fur, black legs, pointed snout, and white-tipped bushy tail. Thriving in mixed farmland, suburban neighborhoods, and forest edges across the province, it is an opportunistic omnivore. Relying on its incredible hearing, it can detect small rodents moving beneath thick snow, leaping high into the air to pounce on its target.

What a beauty! On the hunt at Lighthouse Point in Tommy Thompson Park

. Great Horned Owl (Bubo virginianus)
​The Great Horned Owl is Ontario’s quintessential nocturnal predator, recognizable by its prominent ear tufts and striking yellow eyes. Adaptable to dense northern forests, farmland, and suburban parks across the province, this thick-bodied raptor hunts everything from rodents to waterfowl and skunks. Highly aggressive toward potential intruders, it relies on its silent flight to ambush prey at dusk. Its deep, resonant "who-who-who-who" call is a staple sound of Ontario nights.

Patiently waiting for a mid day meal delivery

White-tailed Deer (*Odocoileus virginianus*)

A familiar sight across southern and central Ontario, the white-tailed deer is named for the distinctive white underside of its tail, flashed as an alarm signal when fleeing. Preferring edge habitats, farmlands, and suburban parks, this adaptable herbivore grazes on grasses, leaves, acorns, and agricultural crops. Highly alert with keen senses of scent and hearing, white-tailed deer form small family groups, serving as a vital prey species for coyotes and wolves.

Very much at home in Toronto. Lucky for them and us, Toronto has a great canopy, ranking # 5 in the world.

White-tailed Deer (*Odocoileus virginianus*)

A familiar sight across southern and central Ontario, the white-tailed deer is named for the distinctive white underside of its tail, flashed as an alarm signal when fleeing. Preferring edge habitats, farmlands, and suburban parks, this adaptable herbivore grazes on grasses, leaves, acorns, and agricultural crops. Highly alert with keen senses of scent and hearing, white-tailed deer form small family groups, serving as a vital prey species for coyotes and wolves.

Small size, big attitude:)

. Northern Hawk Owl (Surnia ulula)
​Resembling a hawk in both build and behavior, the Northern Hawk Owl lives in Ontario's northern boreal spruce forests and muskegs. It features a long, tapered tail, pointed wings, and a sharply patterned facial disc. Completely diurnal, this fearless predator sits atop solitary dead trees in broad daylight, watching for movement in the vegetation. It delivers fast, horizontal attacks, preying on small mammals and northern songbirds.

Rare find, just north of the city….This amazing Northern hawk owl was putting on a show:)

Short-eared Owl (Asio flammeus)
​Unlike its forest-dwelling cousins, the Short-eared Owl roosts and nests directly on the ground in marshes, grasslands, and agricultural fields across Ontario. Recognized by its subtle ear tufts, dark eye patches, and moth-like wing beats, this owl is crepuscular, actively hunting at dawn and dusk. Birdwatchers often spot them flying low over grassy fields, dipping and buoyant like a giant butterfly, as they search for voles.

These beautiful specimens of nature unfazed by the wildlife enthusiasts adoring and admiringly snapping away. Photographers have come from as far away as Florida to witness this amazing show. Typically wildlife in urban settings tend to be far less skittish than in the wild.

Sharp tongue!

Ever wonder where he fashion world get their ideas and inspiration from?

Eyeing some wary ducks at LaSalle Park

. Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis)
​The Red-tailed Hawk is Ontario's most widespread and visible raptor. Recognized by its broad wings, rich rufous tail, and a dark "belly band" against a pale chest, it dominates open country, farmlands, and highway corridors. It spends hours perched on utility poles or riding thermals to scan the ground for rodents. When defending territory or hunting, it emits a classic, raspy, screaming call frequently used in film audio.

Snowy Owl (Bubo scandiacus)
​Breeding in the Arctic tundra, the Arctic-native Snowy Owl migrates south into southern Ontario’s open farmland and shorelines during winter. Boasting bright white plumage with varying dark spots, this large, heavy owl thrives in wide-open expanses that mimic its northern breeding grounds. Unlike most owls, it is daytime-active (diurnal), perching on fence posts, knolls, or roofs to hunt ducks, rabbits, and small field rodents.

Eastern Screech-Owl (Megascops asio)
​The Eastern Screech-Owl is a tiny, robin-sized raptor inhabiting southern Ontario's deciduous forests, suburban backyards, and orchards. Occurring in both gray and reddish-brown (rufous) color phases, it uses tree cavities or nest boxes to roost and raise young. Despite its name, its voice sounds more like a gentle, whinnying horse or a trilling whistle. It eats small rodents, large insects, and small songbirds, striking silently from shaded branches.

The smallest of the Falcons

Barred Owl (Strix varia)
​Known for its soulful, dark brown eyes and brown-and-white striping, the Barred Owl favors old-growth, moist woodlands and river valleys in Ontario. This medium-sized owl is famous for its iconic "who-cooks-for-you, who-cooks-for-you-all" vocalization, which frequently echoes across swamps. Though mostly nocturnal, it occasionally hunts during overcast days. It sits motionless on low limbs, waiting to drop down on small mammals, frogs, and crayfish in dense vegetation.

American Mink (*Neogale vison*)

The American Mink is a sleek, semi-aquatic carnivore belonging to the weasel family, abundant along Ontario's rivers, streams, and lake shores. Sporting a dark chocolate-brown coat, a white patch on its chin, and partially webbed feet, it is a formidable swimmer. Active mainly at night and during dusk or dawn, this ferocious predator hunts muskrats, frogs, fish, and waterfowl, playing an essential role in keeping shoreline ecosystems balanced.

Long-eared Owl (Asio otus)
​The Long-eared Owl is a slender, medium-sized species known for its long, closely set ear tufts and orange facial disc. Breeding in dense coniferous groves adjacent to open fields in central and southern Ontario, it is exceptionally secretive. By day, it compresses its body vertically against tree trunks to blend into the bark. At night, it hunts low over open meadows, using its acute hearing to pinpoint mice and voles.