Wildlife Found in the Canadian Rockies

From grizzly bears and wolves to hawks, eagles, brown trout, and the tiny, endangered Banff Springs snail, the wildlife of Banff National Park is remarkably diverse.

More than 311 bird species, 53 mammals, 19 fish, four amphibians, and one reptile inhabit the park, along with five rare or scientifically important invertebrate species. Banff is also home to an impressive variety of mountain flora, including the spectacular wildflowers of Sunshine Meadows.

In this blog, we’re focusing on some of the wildlife you may encounter in and around Sunshine Meadows. Bears often steal the spotlight, but they’re far from the only animals worth watching for. Here are seven species to keep an eye out for along our trails, along with something new to discover about each one.

1. Red-tailed Hawks

Often seen soaring above the Canadian Rockies during the summer, adult Red-tailed Hawks are recognizable by their distinctive reddish tails and loud, raspy screech.

In fact, the familiar bird of prey screech you often hear in movies and television is usually the call of a Red-tailed Hawk, even when a Bald Eagle is shown on screen. Bald Eagles actually produce a much higher pitched, whistling call.

2. Golden Eagles

One of the most impressive hunters of the Canadian Rockies, Golden Eagles can be identified by the golden brown feathers on the backs of their heads and necks.

With exceptional eyesight, they can spot prey such as rabbits, ground squirrels, and marmots from great distances. When diving from great heights, Golden Eagles can reach speeds approaching 320 km/h.

3. Red Foxes

Although they aren’t commonly spotted at Sunshine Meadows, Red Foxes do occasionally make an appearance.

Their exceptional hearing allows them to pinpoint small prey hidden beneath grass, brush, and even snow. Once they’ve located their target, foxes can leap into the air and pounce directly onto it.

4. Bighorn Sheep

Bighorn Sheep are a familiar sight in the Canadian Rockies and frequent visitors to the Sunshine area. They often travel in groups, and during the summer you may spot ewes travelling with their young lambs.

Unlike the antlers of deer and elk, a Bighorn Sheep’s horns are permanent. They never fall off and continue growing throughout the animal’s life.

5. Hoary Marmots

This is one animal you’re often more likely to hear before you see.

A Hoary Marmot’s sharp warning whistle can echo across the alpine meadows when it spots a predator or even an approaching hiker. One of the largest members of the squirrel family, Hoary Marmots can weigh up to about 14 kg, or 30 pounds. Their distinctive alarm call has also earned them the nickname “whistle pigs.”

6. Wolverines

If you spot a wolverine, consider yourself lucky. They’re one of the most elusive animals found in the high alpine environment around Sunshine Meadows.

Not to be underestimated, wolverines are powerful scavengers with strong jaws capable of crushing bones and tearing through frozen meat. This adaptation helps them survive harsh mountain winters, when carcasses and abandoned kills can provide an important source of food.

7. Mule Deer

This common herbivore gets its name from its comically large ears, which resemble those of a mule.

One of the most fascinating things about Mule Deer is their impressive spatial memory. Research has shown that migratory Mule Deer remember established migration routes and seasonal ranges, returning to familiar areas year after year.

So when we see one wandering through the Sunshine area, we like to think it might know the Meadows just as well as we do.