Wapusk National Park

Birds

Wapusk National Park is a prime destination for bird enthusiasts, particularly during the summer breeding season when thousands of migratory birds arrive. Its coastal, tundra, and wetland habitats support a diverse array of avian life.

Snowy Owl (Bubo scandiacus)
One of the most iconic birds of the Arctic, the snowy owl is a powerful predator with keen eyesight and hearing. It preys on lemmings, ptarmigans, and other small animals, using its white plumage to blend into the tundra landscape.

Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus)
Known for its incredible speed, the peregrine falcon nests on cliffs and hunts birds in midair. This raptor has made a strong comeback after facing population declines due to pesticide use in the past.

Common Eider (Somateria mollissima)
This large sea duck breeds along Hudson Bay’s coast, where it nests in colonies. Its thick down feathers provide insulation against the cold, making eiderdown highly prized for insulation.

Tundra Swan (Cygnus columbianus)
A graceful migratory bird, the tundra swan passes through Wapusk during migration. These large white swans feed on aquatic vegetation in shallow wetlands and lakes.

Northern Pintail (Anas acuta)
A sleek and elegant duck, the northern pintail is a common waterfowl species in the park’s wetlands. It has a distinctive long, pointed tail and migrates long distances between breeding and wintering grounds.

Lesser Snow Goose (Anser caerulescens caerulescens)
Large flocks of snow geese nest in Wapusk’s coastal marshes. These social birds are known for their noisy, honking calls and dramatic migrations covering thousands of miles.

Hudsonian Godwit (Limosa haemastica)
A long-distance migrant, the Hudsonian godwit breeds in the park’s wetlands and embarks on an incredible journey to South America for the winter. It is recognized by its long, slightly upturned bill.

American Golden-Plover (Pluvialis dominica)
This shorebird breeds in the tundra and is known for its striking black-and-gold breeding plumage. It migrates vast distances to South America each year.

Willow Ptarmigan (Lagopus lagopus)
A year-round resident of Wapusk, the willow ptarmigan changes plumage with the seasons—white in winter for camouflage in the snow and mottled brown in summer to blend with the tundra vegetation.

Arctic Tern (Sterna paradisaea)
A champion of long-distance migration, the Arctic tern travels from the Arctic to Antarctica each year. These graceful birds are often seen along the coast, hovering and diving for fish.

Wapusk National Park offers a remarkable glimpse into the wildlife of Canada’s northern wilderness, providing crucial habitat for both year-round residents and seasonal visitors.

Wapusk National Park, located in northern Manitoba, Canada, is a remote and wild expanse of tundra, boreal forest, and coastal habitats along Hudson Bay. Known for its role as a critical denning area for polar bears, the park is home to a variety of Arctic and subarctic wildlife that thrive in its harsh climate.

Polar Bear (Ursus maritimus)
Wapusk National Park is one of the most important polar bear maternity denning areas in the world. Pregnant females dig dens in the park’s snowbanks and peat-rich soils to give birth and nurse their cubs before emerging in early spring. These massive carnivores rely on sea ice to hunt seals, their primary food source.

Arctic Fox (Vulpes lagopus)
Adapted to extreme cold, the Arctic fox has a thick fur coat that changes color with the seasons—white in winter for camouflage in the snow and brownish-gray in summer to blend with the tundra. These opportunistic hunters feed on lemmings, birds, eggs, and even scavenge polar bear kills.

Canada Lynx (Lynx canadensis)
With large, snowshoe-like paws and thick fur, the Canada lynx is built for the cold boreal forests of Wapusk. These elusive felines primarily hunt snowshoe hares, which make up the majority of their diet.

Caribou (Rangifer tarandus groenlandicus)
The migratory caribou found in Wapusk belong to the Qamanirjuaq herd. These hardy ungulates traverse vast distances in search of food, grazing on lichens, mosses, and shrubs. Their large, concave hooves help them travel across snowy terrain and dig for food beneath the ice.

Wolverine (Gulo gulo)
A fierce and powerful scavenger, the wolverine is a rare sight in Wapusk National Park. These solitary predators have strong jaws and sharp claws, enabling them to take down prey much larger than themselves, including caribou, or to scavenge carcasses left by wolves and bears.

Gray Wolf (Canis lupus)
The gray wolves of Wapusk roam the tundra and boreal forest in search of caribou and other prey. These highly social animals hunt in packs, displaying remarkable coordination and endurance in tracking and capturing their targets.

Red Fox (Vulpes vulpes)
More adaptable than the Arctic fox, red foxes thrive in the transition zones between tundra and boreal forest. They have a varied diet, consuming small mammals, birds, eggs, and berries.

Moose (Alces alces)
The largest member of the deer family, moose are found in the park’s boreal forest regions, where they browse on willows, aquatic vegetation, and shrubs. Despite their size, moose are excellent swimmers and often wade into lakes and rivers to feed.

Arctic Hare (Lepus arcticus)
With its thick fur and ability to change color for seasonal camouflage, the Arctic hare is well-adapted to the park’s tundra. It is an important prey species for predators like Arctic foxes, wolves, and birds of prey.

Ermine (Mustela erminea)
Also known as the short-tailed weasel, the ermine is a small but agile predator that hunts lemmings, voles, and small birds. In winter, its fur turns completely white except for a black-tipped tail, helping it blend into the snowy landscape.