Birds in Montreal (Research Proposal Sample)

BIRDS IN MONTREAL
Name
Course
Date
Birds in Montreal
Introduction
Montreal is a French-speaking city in Canada popularly known as the City of Design by UNESCO. Bird watching is an outdoor activity common in Montreal although over the years there has been a decline in some of Montreal’s bird species. The Bird Protection club in Quebec has recorded over 160 different species of birds found in Montreal. These species can be found in places like the Morgan Arboretum, Mount Royal Cemetery, Summit Park, Pointe-aux-Prairies Nature Park and Nun’s Island. Birdhouses or nest boxes are homes for many species of birds, and they provide opportunities for birdwatchers to enjoy the process of breeding. Different birds have different ways of building their birdhouses. Some build nests on branches of trees, others like enclosed nests and commonly are those that create holes in wood to build nests and lay eggs. There are various bird species in Montreal that use birdhouses, and it is the aim of this research to examine the different species of birds that use these birdhouses.
The various species of birds that use birdhouses include:
• Chickadees
• Sparrows
• Wrens
• Woodpeckers
• Nuthatches
Chickadee
This species of birds is commonly referred to as the “clowns” of the bird world. Chickadees are found everywhere regardless of the time of the year or weather. They like birdhouses that are in the open woods and edges. They fly in flocks, and most cases have other birds travelling with them. They are secretive about their nest building, and one has to watch the house closely to see them coming and leaving. It is advisable to place the house in areas where woods meet open areas. Their houses are mostly made from moss and the eggcup lined with animal hair.
Nuthatches
The nuthatches are small species of birds and like the Chickadee, they are visible all year round. They are easy to notice because they travel head down on the trunks of trees seeking food in the bark. The brown-headed, White-breasted and Red-breasted Nuthatches are types that use birdhouses. The birdhouse is often similar to that of Chickadees and titmice but contains pine seeds. It is placed along the edge of woods or in woodland clearings.
Sparrows
These bird species are mainly insectivores who live about five years in the wild but can also live up to twenty-three years in captivity. They are known to invade homes and make dryers, ovens and bathroom vents their houses.
Wrens
They build their houses in anything that resembles a cavity, for example, cans, flower pots, boxes, old hats and mailboxes. They also use large twigs and, in this case, the entrance hole needs to be fairly large. The wren houses are often placed on the side of a building or a post or tree. Birdwatchers will often find them nesting on porches.
Woodpeckers
The woodpeckers are known to excavate their cavity but in most cases use one made by other birds. Their birdhouses are found in woodland clearings. It is in their nature to peck the inside of the birdhouse, as their name suggests, to create sawdust for the nest.
Conclusion
Montreal is a city with many bird watching sites that attract tourists from all over the world. The bird population is comprised of both large and small birds. The birdhouses...