New Brunswick's official bird could be named Canada's national bird

It's cheerful, outgoing, friendly, accepting, trusting and tough enough to withstand cold, snowy winters. It's just like Canadians.

It's the black-capped chickadee, New Brunswick's provincial bird. And it's in the running to be declared Canada's national bird.

It's down to the wire in the national online birdoff, organized by the Royal Canadian Geographical Society, with an announcement expected on Wednesday night.

The chickadee is vying against four of its feathered friends in the National Bird Project: the common loon, snowy owl, grey jack/whisky jack and, not surprisingly, the Canada goose.

Although the chickadee received the fewest votes at 3,324, compared to a high of 13,995 for the common loon —Ontario's provincial bird featured on the loonie — the small songbird could still soar above the others.

The Royal Canadian Geographical Society convened a panel of six experts in September to debate which species from the short list of five decided by popular vote should top the pecking order.

The winner will be revealed at the society's annual College of Fellows dinner at the Canadian War Museum in Ottawa and will be featured in the December issue of Canadian Geographic, which hits newsstands on Nov. 21.

The society is hoping the federal government will officially recognize the bird in time for Canada's sesquicentennial celebrations in 2017.

"There are more than 450 species of birds across Canada, but not one of them has been designated as our national bird — a title that for too long hasn't been made official. It's time to change that," the society's website states.

"Canada has a national arboreal emblem [the maple tree], a national horse [the Canadian], two national sports [lacrosse and hockey] and an animal [the beaver] that is a national symbol. But in nearly 150 years as a nation — and despite the fact that 450 avian species have habitat in Canada — an official national bird has never been named."

The United States has the bald eagle. Will the black-capped chickadee be crowned Canada's national bird?

Charles Short, of Fredericton, believes it should be. "I think the chickadee is a truly Canadian bird both in terms of where it resides and in terms of its friendly, accepting personality," he wrote in his online submission.

It is also "a trusting creature," he said. "I have chickadees land on my shoulder or head at times while standing or sitting in my back yard."

The chickadee is New Maryland resident Jolande Girouard-Collin's "favourite bird all-around."

"It simply is cute and such a happy sounding bird. Every time I see one, it makes me smile. They often come to our birdfeeder and provide happiness all year long."

It is a stalwart Canadian. Not flashy, but solid. Not pretty, but comely. Not big, but mighty in spirit and heart. Not unique, but truly representative of our country, Canada.- Donna Brinkworth, online submission

Donna Brinkworth, who is from Thunder Bay, Ont., and now lives in Penhold, Alta., also sang the bird's praises.

"After thinking long and hard about this, I chose the chickadee above many other birds which at first glance, seem flashier, prettier, bigger, and more unique," she wrote.

"The chickadee is the quintessential Canadian representative in part because it is none of these. It is a stalwart Canadian. Not flashy, but solid. Not pretty, but comely. Not big, but mighty in spirit and heart. Not unique, but truly representative of our country, Canada," wrote Brinkworth.

When she hears the bird's cheery song, no matter where she is, whether on a recent trip to Fredericton or Courtenay, B.C., she is "transported home."

"Through some of the tears of moving, loss, and change, the chickadee has continued to make me smile and remind me that I have a connection to the past and the present through this little Canadian songbird. I know there will always be a chickadee for me, no matter where I go across this country."