Mammals, birds, Herps, Fish and INSECTS

Wildlife of Toronto's High Park

Plant Galls

Have you seen strange lumpy growths on plant leaves, or swollen stems, or shapes that imitate real plant parts, such as fake “apples” on an oak tree? They might be galls caused by tiny creatures such as wasps, flies, aphids…

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Gallery: Raptors of High Park

Birds of prey find ample sources of food in High Park. At least four species breed here regularly: Red-tailed Hawk, Cooper’s Hawk, Great-horned Owl and Screech Owl. In addition, thousands of raptors pass over the park on their fall migration…

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Great Blue Herons in High Park

by Ken Sharratt Great blue herons are found in High Park along with black-crowned night-herons as well as the occasional green heron and great white egret. They are one of the largest and most majestic of the Park’s visitors, yet…

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High Park supports a wide variety of wildlife including chipmunks and bats, ducks, hawks and herons, fish and frogs, and numerous insects including butterflies and bees. Although it is situated in the heart of Canada’s largest city, High Park's size, diverse habitats and proximity to Lake Ontario and the Humber Valley make it attractive to both resident breeding species and migrants. A few opportunistic species have taken advantage of habitat changes and disturbances caused by human activities and recreational demands. Other mostly native species are already responding positively to ongoing restoration efforts.

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Blue Jay and Grey Squirrel. Photo: JM

High Park's Wildlife by Numbers

267 species

of birds known to occur in High Park; well over 150 species are regularly seen and more than 50 species breed in the park

More about Birds

18 species

of mammals known to occur in High Park

More about Mammals

9 species

of herps - amphibians and reptiles; turtles, snakes, frogs and toads, salamanders

More about Amphibians and Reptiles

12 species

of fish

More about Fish

74 species

of butterflies have been found in High Park in recent years, and many of these are known to breed here; a variety of other insects such as dragonflies and bees populates High Park as well

More about Butterflies

over 1000 species

of moths have been found in High Park in recent years, from tiny micros to showy underwings

More about Moths

Epicallima argenticinctella. Photo: David Beadle

Help protect High Park's wildlife

Please stay on the trail and take care not to disturb wildlife or damage their habitat.

When walking with your dog, always keep it on-leash (except in permitted off-leash areas), on-trail and under your control.

What to do if you find a bird or other animal in distress? Check the Toronto Wildlife Centre hotline website or complete their Request for Assistance Form. You can also call TWC at (416) 631-0662 or contact 311.

Articles, Galleries and Guides

Biodiversity Booklet Series

Includes: Birds, Butterflies, Spiders, Fishes, Mammals, Bees, Reptiles and Amphibians, Mushrooms, and Trees, Shrubs and Vines of Toronto. Free copies may be available at your local Toronto Public Library branch. To find out more about these free guidebooks or to download a pdf version, visit the City of Toronto's Biodiversity website.

What's New?

More News and Updates

Sakura – Cherry Trees in High Park

High Park’s cherry trees are blooming! Vehicle access is closed in the park. For more information, including a map of locations, virtual tours and accessibility information visit the City’s Cherry Blossoms webpage. Please take care to respect wildlife and their…

Protecting Wildlife – A new role for volunteers

People have asked about the safety of the animals in High Park during the traditional and prescribed burn. The prescribed burn in High Park is a low-intensity fire as is appropriate for savannahs and woodlands. Flames stay very low and…

Traditional and Prescribed Burn

A traditional and prescribed burn will take place in High Park on Tuesday, April 9, 2024. This burn is part of an ongoing practice to manage and care for the land, specifically aimed at restoring the Black Oak Savannah ecosystem.…