FESTIVAL 2026

A Field Guide to Birds of Ontario

by Mark Peck and Emily Rondel

Royal Ontario Museum

FESTIVAL 2026

A Field Guide to Birds of Ontario

by Mark Peck and Emily Rondel

Royal Ontario Museum

Synopsis

A comprehensive guide to Ontario birds.

From watching the soaring Red-tailed Hawk to hearing the haunting call of the Common Loon, birds are our daily connection to nature. Birds, their migrations, and the state of their populations help us recognize the health of our ecosystems. Their songs and colours add beauty to our lives and their presence in almost every environment, from the most built-up inner city to the most remote forest, reminds us that we are part of nature, no matter where we are. A Field Guide
to Birds of Ontario is the latest addition to ROM’s bestselling field guide series and offers a closer look at the diversity of bird species regularly found in our province.

This guide offers detailed descriptions of migrant and resident Ontario bird species and accidentals, including notes on appearance, sound, habitat, and breeding. Close to 600 full-colour photographs from Ontario bird photographers have been carefully selected for quick and easy identification in the field. Includes distribution maps showing summer, migration, and winter ranges, alongside a handy glossary, checklist of Ontario birds, and an index for ease of navigation.

The perfect companion for your next outdoor adventure.

About the Authors

Mark Peck was the Collections Specialist in Ornithology at the Royal Ontario Museum for 41 years, and is the co-author of ROM's Field Guide to Ontario Birds. Mark is Vice-President of the Ontario Field Ornithologists and was given the Distinguished Ornithologist of the Year Award by OFO in 2024. He is also an enthusiastic contributor to several citizen and community science programs and is a longtime member of the Toronto Ornithological Club. 

Read more about Mark Peck

About the Authors

Emily Rondel is a naturalist and biologist with a specialization in ornithology; she worked as a biologist at Birds Canada for many years. Emily also served on the board of the Toronto Ornithological Club for 14 years, with three of them as President. She is co-author of ROM's Field Guide to Birds of Ontario and was a co-author of the Birds of Toronto book for the City of Toronto’s Biodiversity Series. Emily is an eBird reviewer, and a regional coordinator for the Ontario Breeding Bird Atlas. She works as a biologist with the Canadian Wildlife Service. 

Read more about Emily Rondel

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