Your Last Chance to Vote for Canada's National Bird!

OTTAWA, ON --(Marketwired - June 29, 2016) - Time is running out for Canadians to select a national bird in time for Canada's 150^th birthday in 2017. Canadian Geographic is calling on all Canadians to cast their vote for the bird they feel symbolizes our great country by the August 31^st, 2016 deadline.

Canada has a national arboreal emblem, a national horse, two national sports and an animal that has come to be associated with the country. And yet after nearly 150 years, Canada has never identified a national bird. Now is the time for the beaver to have an avian partner.

"The National Bird Project has garnered a huge amount of interaction with Canadians since it launched in January 2015," says Aaron Kylie, Editor of Canadian Geographic. "We're eager to see the campaign finally recognize a national bird. That was the goal all along. And this November, just in time for the country's 150th anniversary celebrations, Canadian Geographic will announce the winner."

Canadians have the summer to ponder on which bird species should be chosen to symbolize the aspirations of our country. Voting is easy. Just visit the National Bird Project website at nationalbird.canadiangeographic.ca. To help Canadians make an informed decision, the website sports profiles for each of Canada's 40 favourite birds with information on each bird's habitat, as well as range maps that show year‐round habitat, breeding habitat, migration ranges and wintering habitat.

To date, over 35,000 Canadians from coast to coast to coast have voted. The top five leading contenders in order of popularity are the common loon, the snowy owl, the gray jay or whiskey jack, the Canada goose, and finally, the black-capped chickadee.

Bird Studies Canada is our National Conservation Partner on the National Bird Project. Bird Studies Canada is Canada's leading charity dedicated to bird science and conservation, and provides expertise and ongoing guidance on the project. "Canada is globally renowned for our abundant wildlife and unparalleled wilderness," says Steven Price, President of Bird Studies Canada. "On the eve of our country's 150^th anniversary, let's adopt a national bird to help Canadians reconnect with their natural heritage, and to share our unique character with the world!"

Birds are incredibly important as barometers of the health of ecosystems and our natural environment. Canadian Geographic hopes to use the National Bird Project as a springboard for all sorts of greater discussions about species, habitat and conservation.

Canadian Geographic in English and Géographica in French, are published by The Royal Canadian Geographical Society and highlight the latest geographic news and trends. Canadian Geographic has featured award‐winning journalism focused on our cultural and natural heritage since it was founded in 1930.

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