THE STATE OF CANADA’S BIRDS 2012 2 The State of Canada’s Birds TABLE OF CONTENTS

This report was published by Environment Canada on behalf of NABCI Canada. TABLE OF CONTENTS Suggested Citation: North American Bird Conservation Initiative Canada. 2012. The State of Canada’s Birds, 2012. Environment Canada, Ottawa, Canada. 36 pages.

Cat. No.: CW66-312/2012E ISBN 978-1-100-20674-5 Information contained in this publication or product may be reproduced, in part or in whole, and by any means, for personal or public non-commercial purposes, without charge or further permission, unless otherwise specifi ed. You are asked to: • Exercise due diligence in ensuring the accuracy of the materials reproduced; • Indicate both the complete title of the materials reproduced, as well as the author organization; and • Indicate that the reproduction is a copy of an offi cial work that is published by the Government of Canada and that the reproduction has not been produced in affi liation with or with the endorsement of the Government of Canada. Commercial reproduction and distribution is prohibited except with written permission from the Government 3 FOREWORD 22 BEYOND OUR BORDERS of Canada’s copyright administrator, Public Works and Government Services of Canada (PWGSC). For more information, please contact PWGSC at 613-996-6886 4 CANADA’S BIRDS: AN OVERVIEW OF 24 BIRDS OF CONSERVATION CONCERN or at [email protected]. NATIONAL STATUS Photo credits 27 CONSERVING CANADA’S BIRDS Front cover (left to right): STATUS OF CANADA’S BIRDS BY REGION 1. Tufted Puffi n/Alan Burger 32 MONITORING CANADA’S BIRDS 2. White-breasted Nuthatch/Nick Saunders 3. Northern Pintail/Ducks Unlimited Canada 6 SOUTHERN SHIELD AND MARITIMES 4. Swainson’s Hawk/May Haga 34 MEASURING THE STATE OF CANADA’S 5. American Goldfi nch/John Chardine 6. Wilson’s Snipe/May Haga 8 LOWER GREAT LAKES–ST. LAWRENCE BIRDS Table of contents (left to right): 1. Dungarvin Creek, AB/H. Loney Dickson 10 EASTERN BOREAL 35 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 2. Melville Island, NU/Kyle Elliot 3. Longridge Point, James Bay, ON/Mark Peck 4. Taiga north of Yellowknife, NT/Craig Machtans 12 WESTERN BOREAL 5. James Bay, ON/Mark Peck 6. Digges Islands, NU/Garry Donaldson 14 PRAIRIES Back cover (left to right): 1. Boreal Chickadee/Nick Saunders 2. Ring-billed Gull/May Haga 16 WEST COAST AND MOUNTAINS 3. Bohemian Waxwing/Nick Saunders 4. Boreal Owl/Alan MacKeigan 18 ARCTIC 5. Mountain Bluebird/H. Loney Dickson Copyright © in photographs rests with individual 20 OCEANS photographers or their organizations or agents. © Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada, represented by the Minister of the Environment, 2012 Aussi disponible en français The State of Canada’s Birds 3 FOREWORD FOREWORD

anadians are lucky indeed to live in Birds have many values to Canadians. and the air. Historically, excessive Ca country where robins and fi nches Bird populations are indicators commercial harvest led to major share our backyards, our forests ring of the ecological integrity of the declines in many bird populations: with the fl ute-like songs of thrushes, environment—healthy bird populations Passenger Pigeons, Great Auks and brilliant warblers add colour to the imply a healthy planet. Bird watching Labrador Ducks all disappeared forever. boreal forests, fl ocks of ducks dot the is one of the most popular outdoor Still, there has been signifi cant progress prairie potholes and seabirds nest in recreational activities in Canada. in bird conservation in the past century. large coastal colonies. Birds fi ll our Millions of Canadians feed birds in The Migratory Birds Convention signed landscapes and are intertwined with their backyards. Waterfowl hunting between Canada and the United States the Canadian culture and identity. provides food and supports local in 1916 led to better hunting controls, economies. Collectively, these activities allowing many species to recover. John Chardine contribute billions of dollars to the Intensive single-species conservation Canadian economy. Birds also provide Common Yellowthroat eff orts brought Whooping Cranes and immeasurable economic and ecological some other species back from the brink benefi ts by controlling insect and of extinction. Controls on pesticide use rodent populations, dispersing seeds The report describes trends in the status allowed many raptor populations to and pollinating plants. of Canada’s birds, the major threats recover from DDT poisoning. Ongoing they face and conservation solutions Canada’s birds have always had to cope land restoration and conservation that benefi t them. It is both a call to with fl uctuations in their environment. activities are helping to restore action and an acknowledgement of Droughts, fl oods, forest fi res and waterfowl populations. success. Continued progress on bird insect outbreaks are part of the natural conservation requires action to conserve dynamics of ecosystems. Repeated ice habitat and address threats, both Mark Peck ages and warming periods over the within our borders and internationally past million years caused major shifts in cooperation with other countries— Green Heron in the landscape. In recent decades, three quarters of Canada’s bird species however, increasing human populations spend much of their lives outside in Canada and elsewhere are putting Canada. We hope this report will provide pressures on bird populations that may a voice for birds as Canada shapes its exceed their ability to cope. future. May Haga Wetlands are being drained, and forests Blue Jay are being cleared and native grasslands North American Bird Conservation converted to cultivated crops. The Initiative, Canada These successes tell us that conservation tundra is threatened by climate change. can work; with a concerted eff ort May 2012 Urban and industrial developments across society, human activities can be are replacing natural habitats. Roads, compatible with bird conservation. power lines and pipelines dissect the landscape. Invasive species are In this fi rstState of Canada’s Birds report, spreading. Industrial chemicals and we present a picture of the current

Mark Peck pesticides are released into the water health of Canada’s bird populations. Bird watching on James Bay 4 The State of Canada’s Birds OVERVIEW CANADA’S BIRDS: AN OVERVIEW OF NATIONAL STATUS

anada is home to billions of birds Cbelonging to some 451 regularly +100 Raptors occurring native species that raise their Waterfowl young or spend their non-breeding +50 Colonial seabirds seasons in this vast and varied country. +25 Forest birds Increasingly, these birds face many +12 0 threats here and elsewhere. Successful −10 conservation of this biological wealth −20 requires that we manage these −33 All birds threats to maintain or restore healthy Other water birds Percent change since 1970 change since Percent populations of all species of birds— −50 Shorebirds including extra measures to ensure Grassland birds −60 recovery of the 66 bird species currently Aerial insectivores assessed as Endangered, Threatened, or of Special Concern. Careful monitoring 1970 1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010 of the status of Canada’s birds is essential Indicators of the national population status of all regularly occurring native to guide successful conservation and bird species in Canada and eight selected subgroups. management actions for these and other species. Early response to warning signs in the environment is more cost-eff ective than critical intervention. began for most species. For species fare well in disturbed areas. Canada’s with suffi cient data to monitor their few remaining native grasslands must This report summarizes the status status, 44% have decreased, 33% have be retained, and new ones created, if of Canada’s bird populations, both increased and 23% have shown little species like the Greater Sage-Grouse nationally and individually, for each overall change. Some groups, such as are to survive. Eff ective management of eight major regions of the country grassland birds, aerial insectivores and (see the chapter “Measuring the shorebirds, are showing major declines. State of Canada’s Birds” for details on Other groups such as waterfowl, raptors methods). The results point to the and colonial seabirds are increasing, strong infl uences of human activity on due to careful management, changes in birds, both positive and negative. This habitat and reductions in environmental report also identifi es threats to birds contaminants. and off ers solutions to keep common birds common and restore threatened Declining grassland birds present challenges and opportunities species. for conservation within working landscapes. Many declining grassland Canadian bird populations species can coexist with bird-friendly have changed agricultural practices. Some species Holroyd On average, Canadian breeding bird actually benefi t from appropriate Geoff Charles M. Francis populations have decreased 12% densities of grazing livestock to create Burrowing Owls benefi t from well-managed Bald Eagle populations have rebounded following grazing to maintain their habitat. controls on pesticides. since 1970 when eff ective monitoring their ideal habitat. Other species do not The State of Canada’s Birds 5 OVERVIEW of grasslands is also needed outside Increasing waterfowl populations of new threats, such as endocrine- of Canada, in the United States, Mexico refl ect successful management of disrupting chemicals, are promptly and southern South America, where hunting and wetlands. International identifi ed and addressed. many Canadian birds winter. cooperation among governments and conservation organizations, through the Aerial insectivores—birds that catch Successful conservation insects in fl ight—are declining more North American Waterfowl Management requires committed action steeply than any other group of Plan (NAWMP), has led to more and international cooperation birds. These declines are likely caused sustainable management of waterfowl The biggest threats for many species by a combination of factors both in hunting and protection or restoration during their long migrations are loss of Canada and in their wintering areas in of many wetlands—important habitat habitat at stopover sites and on their for waterfowl (i.e., ducks and geese)

South and Central America, including wintering grounds. However pollution, Nick Saunders reductions in insect numbers, habitat as well as other wetland birds. These pesticides, hunting, collisions with successes demonstrate that habitat Barn Swallow and other aerial insectivore loss, pesticide use and climate change. human-built structures and climate populations have drastically declined. Some formerly very common species management can work to conserve change also have eff ects. Because like the Barn Swallow and Chimney Swift birds. However, wetlands still face many most species migrate outside Canada, have declined to less than a quarter of threats including draining for agriculture international cooperation is required to the successes and ongoing research their 1970-level populations. Research and development, pollution, invasive address these threats. to identify solutions for bird groups in is urgently needed to understand and non-native species and increasing trouble suggest that there are reasons The results in this report point both reverse the causes of these declines to droughts due to climate change, so to be hopeful. Solutions can, and must, to past successes in conservation and ensure these species are not lost. conservation eff orts must continue. be implemented at all levels of Canadian ongoing challenges for Canada’s birds. society: individuals, organizations, Shorebirds need urgent action. Increasing raptor populations point Although there is much to be done, corporations and governments. As a group, shorebird species have to the success of direct intervention. declined by almost half. Most shorebirds Many raptor populations were hard hit migrate very long distances and are by contamination in the mid-1900s. being aff ected by loss and alteration of Banning persistent pesticides such as wetlands, estuaries, deltas and mudfl ats DDT, combined with species-specifi c at all stages of their journey, from recovery programs for species such their breeding grounds in Canada to as the Peregrine Falcon, have enabled stopover sites and wintering grounds dramatic recoveries since 1970. These Canadians must work throughout the Western Hemisphere. population rebounds demonstrate internationally to achieve Ongoing international cooperation is that prompt action can reverse conservation success and vital to identify and conserve the key environmental damage. Ongoing be mindful that we share sites needed by shorebirds throughout vigilance and monitoring is needed “our” birds with many their long migrations. to ensure that any potential impacts other countries. Only 22% of Canadian bird species spend the whole year in Canada. Most others migrate to the United States (33%), to Central America, Mexico and the Caribbean (23%) or to South America (15%). Some travel to Europe or Asia or spend © Ducks Unlimited Canada long periods of time at sea (7%). Ruddy Ducks benefi t from careful wetland and harvest management. SOUTHERN SHIELD AND MARITIMES Black and White Warbler/Charles M. Francis

he Southern Shield and Maritimes of the declining forest birds, as well as Tregion is a mosaic of forest stands, those that use forest-edges and shrub, wetlands, riverside meadows, rock migrate long distances and may also barrens, lakes and streams, as well as be aff ected by loss of forest, shrub and the agricultural and urban centres in mangrove habitat in their wintering the Maritimes and parts of Quebec ranges. and Ontario. Most characteristic Waterfowl have increased as a

species are associated with forests and Alan MacKeigan consequence of plentiful waste-grain wetlands; others, including some aerial Bay-breasted Warbler populations fl uctuate BIRD’S-EYE VIEW insectivores and shrub and forest-edge dramatically in response to changes in abundance species, are closely tied to the open of spruce budworm—a key food source. • Characteristic species populations areas created by human activities, such have declined since 1970 due to a as agriculture and forestry. have declined. This may be due to combination of factors acting both habitat loss from urban development inside and outside this region. Changes Trends and maturation of shrub habitats on in age and species composition of abandoned agricultural land into forests. forests; loss and degradation of wetland, Bird populations in the Southern Shield In some areas, heavy browsing by over grassland and shrub habitats; acid and Maritimes have decreased by 13% abundant deer has reduced the shrub rain coming from various regions; and on average across all species groups. layer.

habitat loss in southern wintering One-third of the species characteristic to Mark Peck Forest birds overall have declined by areas—all aff ect birds in this large and this region are in rapid decline. Improved population monitoring and harvest diverse region. 10%. Forestry practices that suppress management for American Black Duck Almost 60% of once-common birds insect outbreaks aff ect forest species populations have also improved knowledge and • Aerial insectivores have declined by that use shrub and forest-edge habitats that rely on these insects for food. Many management of other waterfowl species. 70% in this region. Causes of declines are uncertain, but may include threats All birds on their breeding grounds, wintering +100 60 grounds or during migration. Waterfowl Forest 50 +50 birds • Past forestry practices have reduced Shrub 40 the amount of old growth forest on +25 and Other +12 forest- water 30 the landscape, leading to declines in 0 edge Aerial birds Waterfowl 20 some species. Management that more −10 birds −20 insectivores closely emulates patterns and schedules 10 −33 of natural disturbances, such as fi re, Forest birds 0 and allows for periodic pulses in insect All birds −50 10 populations would benefi t many forest Other water birds

Percent change since 1970 change since Percent 20 dependent bird species. −60 Shrub and forest-edge birds Strong increase Aerial insectivores Increase 30 • Waterfowl populations have increased, −70 Little change 40 due in part to changes on their Decrease

50 Decreasing species Increasing species wintering grounds and to careful 1970 1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010 Strong decrease 60 management of habitat and hunting Number of increasing and decreasing species in Canada and the United States. Indicators of the average population status of characteristic species in each indicator The State of Canada’s Birds 7 SOUTHERN SHIELD AND MARITIMES in agricultural areas used during winter Threats Acid precipitation remains a problem and migration, careful management despite improvements in treating of hunting in Canada and the United Some forestry practices alter the species emissions since the 1980s. High States, and wetland restoration and composition and age-structure of acidity aff ects birds by reducing food forests, changing the habitat of many protection to slow the rate of wetland supplies—many insects cannot survive birds that depend on forest, forest- loss. in acid waters—and by reducing the edge and shrub habitats. Past forestry availability of calcium needed for Despite some improvements in wetland practices have greatly reduced the eggshells. restoration and conservation, wetlands amount of mature forests. are still being lost and degraded in Many forest birds from this region many parts of the region, particularly winter in Central America, Mexico, and near urban and agricultural centers. In Peck George the Caribbean where forests are being The distinctive call of the well-camoufl aged contrast to waterfowl, other water birds converted to farmland at alarming rates. Eastern Whip-poor-will was once a common have declined by almost 25% overall— Reduced wintering habitat may be an sound on summer evenings, but its population Black-crowned Night-Heron, Wilson’s important cause of population declines has decreased dramatically for unknown reasons. Snipe, and American Bittern populations for some forest and forest-edge birds. are all down by more than 50%. Encourage further reductions in Aerial insectivores, including the Tree Solutions acidifying emissions and other Swallow, Olive-sided Flycatcher and contaminants from industrial activities Support forest management and Eastern Wood-Pewee, are declining and vehicles to reduce the eff ects of protection guidelines that recreate across North America and show the pollution on ecosystems. Alan MacKeigan the natural age structure of the forest steepest declines in this region—by Barred Owls benefi t from forestry practices that and improve habitat quality for many almost 70% overall. The causes of retain mature forest. decline are still under investigation, characteristic forest birds. but may be related to local habitat The loss and degradation of wetlands Work closely with countries in South change, such as re-growth of forests continue to threaten species that and Central America and the Caribbean on abandoned agricultural land where depend on these habitats. In many to support forest conservation and slow many species feed, habitat loss on their urban and agricultural areas, wetlands the conversion of natural forest-habitat wintering grounds, or declines in insect have been reduced to a small fraction of to agricultural use. prey due to pesticide use or pollution. their initial area.

Bicknell’s Thrush has been declining dramatically. Over 90% of the population winters in the Dominican Republic and Haiti where loss of habitat is a major concern and fi nancial resources for conservation are limited. A fund has been established to encourage developers in the north-eastern United States and Canada to off set eff ects of development on the breeding grounds by helping to Dan Busby

Charles M. Francis protect or restore winter habitats. Bicknell’s Thrush Common Loons are less successful at breeding in highly acidic lakes, possibly due to reduced food for their young. LOWER GREAT LAKES–ST. LAWRENCE Rose-breasted Grosbeak/May Haga

his region is dominated by Aerial insectivores, primarily swallows, Tagricultural and urban landscapes, have declined here and across the where pastures and fi elds provide country. The causes of these declines are habitat for grassland birds. Except unknown but may include local factors, along the northern edge of the region, such as reduced insect populations forest cover is highly fragmented by or loss of nesting habitat or factors on the surrounding urban and agricultural their wintering grounds. In this region, lands, but forest cover has been Chimney Swift, Purple Martin and Bank increasing due to reforestation and Swallow populations have all declined regeneration of trees on marginal by approximately 95% since 1970. BIRD’S-EYE VIEW farmlands. This region includes the only Alan Burger Pileated Woodpecker populations have increased Grassland birds have declined by 70%, tracts of Carolinian forest in Canada, and expanded into new areas as forests mature. with several species at risk of extirpation • Overall, characteristic species in this which support a distinctive community highly developed region have increased, (local extinction). Changing agricultural of animals and plants. nesting success in urban areas. Canada including forest birds, water birds and practices are making farmlands less Goose populations have exploded, waterfowl, demonstrating that people suitable as habitat, and forests have Trends and populations of Mallard, Hooded and birds can live together. re-grown on abandoned agricultural Merganser and Wood Duck have In recent decades, most bird groups grasslands. Although historically • Substantial reductions in environmental increased by more than 50%. There has in the Lower Great Lakes–St. Lawrence much of this area was forested, in pollution are refl ected in increases in been some recovery, conservation and region have increased. On average, all the intervening centuries, the region populations of colonial waterbirds and restoration of wetlands in the region, many raptors. species are up by 20%. has become an important refuge for particularly along the St. Lawrence grassland birds in Canada. • Nevertheless, some species have Waterfowl have benefi tted from Seaway, that has slowed the rate of declined dramatically, including aerial plentiful food in agricultural areas habitat loss for many waterfowl and insectivores and grassland birds. The used during the winter and improved other water birds. use of bird-friendly agricultural practices All could maintain agricultural production birds while helping to conserve or restore +200 Waterfowl grassland bird populations. 60 +150 Colonial waterbirds Shrub • Urban areas continue to expand in Forest birds 50 +100 and Forest the region. Development needs to be Other water birds forest- Other birds 40 +50 water edge 30 planned carefully to retain key bird birds Colonial +25 Aerial birds habitats and to minimize habitat loss. Grassland waterbirds Waterfowl 20 0 birds insectivores −20 10 −33 0 −50 All birds 10

Percent change since 1970 change since Percent −60 Shrub and forest-edge birds Strong increase 20 Aerial insectivores Increase 30 −70 Little change Grassland birds 40 Decrease Strong decrease 50 1970 1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010 60 Decreasing species Increasing species Number of increasing and decreasing species I di t f th l ti t t f h t i ti i ihidit The State of Canada’s Birds 9 LOWER GREAT LAKES–ST. LAWRENCE The shoreline and islands of the Urban expansion—especially along Urban expansion, housing and industrial Canadian Great Lakes are home to eight shorelines, in and around forests and developments, and new transportation characteristic species of gulls, terns, wetlands, and on agricultural land—is corridors should respect existing herons, cormorants and pelicans— reducing, fragmenting and degrading limits to development, be planned waterbirds that breed in colonies. Most bird habitats. In addition, expanding to conserve as much of the natural colonial waterbirds have increased urban areas bring with them house cats, landscape as possible and avoid key substantially, due in part to reduced which kill millions of birds every year. areas for birds, especially around concentrations of DDT, PCBs and other shorelines and wetlands. Invasive species, such as purple pollutants, although new contaminants, loosestrife, Phragmites, zebra mussels, Increasing existing forest cover, changes in fi sh populations and disease round gobies and common carp, expanding and linking larger forest remain as potential concerns.

continue to alter aquatic habitats and patches, and ensuring sound forest May Haga Many forest birds, such as the Pine associated food webs, with cascading management practices will all help Bobolink populations, which have decreased Warbler, Black-capped Chickadee and eff ects on food sources for colonial the forest birds that are most sensitive by 80%, can thrive in agricultural areas, woodpeckers, have increased as forests waterbirds, waterfowl and other water to nearby development. provided that bird-friendly agricultural in the region have expanded and birds. practices are followed. matured. However, some species are This economically signifi cant region still declining. contains many industrial chemical Canadians can help reduce the spread sources. Threats of invasive species by carefully cleaning boats and motors and not moving live Intensive agricultural practices— Solutions fi sh between water bodies or fi rewood wetland draining, increased insecticide Practices have been developed for hay from region to region. and herbicide use, removing hedgerows and forage production that can benefi t and fi eld margins, and cutting of hay grassland birds. Delay of haying until before chicks leave the nest—aff ect Nick Saunders after young birds fl edge, well managed grassland birds like the Bobolink by The Common Nighthawk has declined grazing, maintenance of hedgerows and reducing habitat and food and even dramatically, like most other aerial insectivores, other bird-friendly practices should be but the causes of the decline are not well killing birds outright. encouraged. understood.

Regulations have successfully reduced concentrations of toxic chemicals such as DDT and PCBs in the eggs and blood of Great Lakes birds, but new controls are needed for emerging chemicals, including those used in fl ame-

retardants. Ian Parsons The Least Bittern and other water birds rely on healthy wetland Ring-billed Gulls can thrive in close proximity ecosystems, which are threatened to humans but are susceptible to pollution. by invasive species, contaminants, Gulls in the Great Lakes are regularly tested for

Gord Belyea Gord shoreline development and wetland contaminants as an indicator of environmental drainage. health. EASTERN BOREAL Max FInkelstein

he vast Eastern Boreal region On average, waterfowl and other water Tsupports billions of birds within its bird populations have increased slightly patchwork of bogs, spruce forests and relative to 1970. Some species have countless lakes, rivers and streams. The shown substantial increases of more human footprint from industries such than 100% (Hooded Merganser, Sandhill as forestry, mining and tourism is still Crane and Canada Goose), while largely restricted to the south, but some others have declined strongly, such northern areas have been fl ooded by as the American Bittern and Common large reservoirs for hydroelectricity, and Goldeneye.

planning has started for development in Christine Lepage Almost half of the characteristic BIRD’S-EYE VIEW many areas of northern Ontario, Quebec Helicopters or airplanes are the only eff ective species of the Eastern Boreal are forest and Labrador. way to count ducks and other water birds • The Eastern Boreal region provides a vast in many parts of the Boreal. birds. Overall, forest species show expanse of relatively healthy wetland little change. However, some resident and forest habitats for nesting birds, Trends Overall, species that are characteristic species have strongly increased, such as but knowledge of the status of its birds Monitoring in the Eastern Boreal is of the Eastern Boreal have decreased Common Raven, Pileated Woodpecker is limited because most monitoring is diffi cult due to the region’s large size by 12%. Shrub and forest-edge birds and Red-breasted Nuthatch while restricted to the southern edges. and relative isolation. Trend data for have shown the largest declines; over many migrants have decreased, such • Within the monitored area, characteristic most species, other than waterfowl the last 40 years, all but one species has as Bay-breasted, Blackpoll and Canada species have declined slightly overall, which are monitored from the air, come declined. All species in this group are Warblers. with shrub and forest-edge birds only from the more accessible southern migratory, and threats to their wintering showing the steepest declines, edges of the region. habitat may be important. forest birds showing little change and waterfowl and other water birds All showing slight increases. +100 birds 50 Waterfowl • The boreal landscape has been shaped Shrub Forest 40 Other water birds and birds Other by natural disturbances (e.g., fi res, +50 Forest birds forest- 30 water beavers, insect outbreaks) for millennia. edge birds Waterfowl 20 Large-scale industrial activities, such as +25 birds 10 forestry and mining, as well as climate +12 change, are altering disturbance 0 0 −10 patterns and are likely to change bird 10 −20 communities. For instance, controls 20

of spruce budworm outbreaks have 1970 change since Percent −33 Strong increase 30 All birds Increase negatively aff ected warblers that feed 40 on budworm caterpillars. Shrub and forest-edge birds Little change 50 −50 Decrease Decreasing species Increasing species Strong decrease 1970 1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010 Number of increasing and decreasing species Indicators of the average population status of characteristic species in each indicator The State of Canada’s Birds 11 EASTERN BOREAL Threats Internationally, the loss of shrub and Solutions forest habitats in the Caribbean and The most serious threats to boreal Central and South America further Forest management that emulates birds are the cumulative impacts threatens the migratory species that the pattern and schedules of natural of habitat alteration from industrial breed in the Eastern Boreal region. disturbance leads to a mix of habitat development—energy, forestry and Forests in these wintering areas types and forest stand ages, thus mining—and associated infrastructure are being lost due to forestry and ensuring healthy bird populations, (e.g., roads, airstrips and transmission agriculture, supporting increasing which in turn help control insect pests. corridors). Development is expanding human populations and growing Recent landmark agreements that aim northward to previously inaccessible international demand for products from to protect 50% of the Eastern Boreal regions and may aff ect the quality and Peck George these industries. Mangrove habitats— forest in Ontario and Quebec are quantity of habitat available for birds. important for wintering shrub and forest The Boreal provides a vast nursery for millions excellent examples of the recognition of warblers, such as these Black-throated Blue edge species—are being lost to coastal of the global importance of the Boreal Warblers, that migrate through southern Canada development for beach tourism and forest and the ability to strike a balance and the United States to Central and South shrimp aquaculture. between conservation and economic America. Climate change is an emerging issue growth. Detailed comprehensive land-use planning and management providing wintering habitat for boreal with potentially signifi cant eff ects to birds. Forest plantations and shade- ecosystem structure and function. are needed to support this balance as development spreads north. grown coff ee support many birds and Migratory birds are vulnerable to should be encouraged. climate-infl uenced events, such as the The conservation of remaining native increased frequency or intensity of habitats in the Caribbean and Central The eff ects of climate change, such as

Nick Saunders fi res and fl ooding during the breeding and South America would provide local increased fl ooding and fi res, will be Boreal Chickadees are year-round residents season and storms during migration. ecological benefi ts such as clean air diffi cult to mitigate in the Boreal forest. of dense spruce-fip r forests in the Boreal. and clean water, support sustainable Addressing the underlying causes of industries such as ecotourism while climate change is essential for long-term conservation. Mark Peck Longridge Point, James Bay

The coastlines of James Bay and Hudson Bay provide crucial stopover and staging habitat for many species of migratory Cape May Warblers breed in the Boreal forest and winter waterfowl, other water birds and in Cuba and other Caribbean islands. Like many other boreal May Haga shorebirds, including Stilt Sandpipers. Stilt Sandpipers songbirds, their populations depend on conservation of Laura Gooch Laura adequate habitat in their tropical wintering areas. WESTERN BOREAL Craig Machtans

he Western Boreal is a large the region’s wetlands act as a “safety net” Tand diverse ecosystem, ranging that keeps Prairie populations healthy from sparse, open forest along the and is vital for maintaining a sustainable northern treeline to dense, tall stands harvest for hunters. of spruce, birch and aspen in the south. Development pressures vary substantially within this huge region. Several billion birds of over 200 species breed every year in the Western Boreal. Almost 30% of Canada’s birds are BIRD’S-EYE VIEW characteristic to this region due to its May Haga diversity and size. • Limited monitoring data are available Spruce Grouse are year-round residents of boreal forests across Canada, found mainly in spruce, for most parts of the Western Boreal for Trends regenerating pine and other conifers. Little is species other than waterfowl (which are known of their population status as they are primarily surveyed from the air); only Many individual species in all major diffi cult to survey. Nick Saunders since 1990 have enough areas been bird groups are showing dramatic Lesser Scaup populations in the Western Boreal surveyed to calculate trends for most population changes with either large The Western Boreal forest supports 12 to have declined by more than 50% over the last three decades, while other species such groups. increases or large decreases, but 14 million nesting ducks every summer. as Green-winged Teal have doubled. Shifts in • Within the surveyed region of the overall the number of increasing and When drought aff ects the Prairie Pothole aquatic food webs due to climate change may be Western Boreal, the population of all decreasing species is roughly equal, Region, more ducks fl y northward and favouring generalist species, such as teal, instead birds combined has changed little over creating a generally stable indicator nest in the extensive wetlands of the of the more specialized diving ducks, such as scaup. the past 20 years, but many individual since 1990. Western Boreal. In these drought years, species have shown large increases or decreases. All birds • The Western Boreal plays a critical role in 60 supporting continental bird populations +100 Waterfowl of many songbirds, water birds and Forest birds 50 Shrub Other water birds Waterfowl 40 waterfowl. In drought years, many ducks +50 and All birds Forest that usually breed in the Prairie Region forest- Other 30 birds +25 edge water move to the Western Boreal. birds birds 20 +12 • The permanent loss of forest due to 10 0 development, including agriculture −10 0 and energy extraction, is the biggest −20 10 conservation concern in this ecosystem. Strong increase 20 The most intense industrial activities −33 Increase Little change 30 occur at the southern edge of the 1973 or 1990 change since Percent Shrub and forest-edge birds Decrease 40 region, overlapping directly with the −50 Strong decrease

habitats containing the highest density 50 Decreasing species Increasing species and diversity of birds. 1973 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010 Number of increasing and decreasing species 60 Indicators of the average population status of characteristic species in each indicator The State of Canada’s Birds 13 WESTERN BOREAL Older forests support diverse bird communities. Forestry practices are The Breeding Bird changing the age structure of the forest Survey (BBS), the main and several species are expected to survey for most species decline over the next 50 years as the of birds other than area of old forest declines. waterfowl, has only Changes in water levels and water limited coverage in the fl ow associated with hydroelectric region. In the 1970s, BBS power generation are aff ecting crucial routes were present only feeding and nesting areas for waterfowl around the agriculture/ and other wildlife, such as the Peace- boreal transition area. Charles M. Francis Athabasca Delta, which is one of the Since the 1990s, some Blackpoll Warblers follow one of the longest largest freshwater deltas in the world additional coverage has migration routes of any warbler, connecting forests and a globally important wetland. of the Western Boreal with forests of eastern been achieved but there South America. Their conservation depends on are still substantial gaps. This means that large portions of some populations or The changing northern climate has maintaining healthy habitats at both ends of this ranges are not surveyed at all, and caution is warranted in interpreting the indicators already resulted in changes to forests, migration route. for many species. In contrast, waterfowl have been well monitored by aerial surveys such as the spread of the Mountain Pine since 1955. Beetle and increasingly severe forest Wilderness protection is increasing fi re regimes, and more changes are but progress has been slower in some expected. jurisdictions. Notable agreements that Threats aim to protect 50% of the Boreal forest The southern forests in this region Solutions in Ontario and Quebec provide excellent examples for the Western Boreal. include some of the most intensively Development, conservation and modifi ed landscapes in North America. protection all need to come into Forest is being lost to agriculture, urban balance to ensure healthy populations expansion, forestry, peat mining, and oil of birds in the Western Boreal into and gas development. Much of this loss the future. To prevent complete is eff ectively permanent and, although Alan MacKeigan transformation of regional ecosystems land-use planning is a partial solution, Black-throated Green Warblers depend on (e.g., agricultural conversion of the patches of mature forests. They are expected active reclamation would be needed to southern boreal mixed-wood forest), off set habitat losses. to decline due to reductions in the amount of mature forest on the landscape as a result land-use plans involving all stakeholders of forestry practices. are needed to ensure that suffi cient areas of key habitats such as old forest and other features signifi cant for birds remain on the landscape. Water-level management on major Approximately 80% of river systems with hydro-electric the world population developments must maintain the of Bonaparte’s Gulls nests in the Western ecological health and functioning Kardynal Kevin Boreal region, and their of critical waterfowl habitats such as Societal values need to be incorporated populations depend on the Peace-Athabasca Delta. into land-use plans so that resource use and healthy wetlands. conservation are balanced with development. © Ducks Unlimited Canada PRAIRIES Northern Shoveler and Blue-winged Teal/Bob Clark

he Canadian Prairies are a mix of are able to support viable populations Tcropland and grasslands dotted with of area-sensitive species, such as millions of small, temporary wetlands Sprague’s Pipit, Baird’s Sparrow and and bordered by aspen parklands Chestnut-collared Longspur. to the north. It is one of the most Forest-associated birds have benefi ted intensively used and altered landscapes as fi re suppression and expanding in Canada—more than 70% of native human settlement have increased the prairies and wetlands have been lost area of woody vegetation. However, through conversion to agriculture or Alan MacKeigan BIRD’S-EYE VIEW other developments. McCown’s Longspurs have declined by 90%. The species is now considered at risk along with • The Prairies are home to many grassland Trends more than half of Canada’s grassland bird species. birds not found elsewhere in Canada and support millions of breeding ducks Grassland birds are in trouble. Since these same changes exacerbate and other water birds in numerous small 1970, populations on the Canadian the declines in many grassland bird ponds and wetlands. Prairies have declined by almost 40% on populations by further removing and • Grassland bird populations are declining average. Historical population declines degrading native prairie and grasslands. rapidly. Native grasslands and pasture were likely even larger, as much native The Prairies support the highest density

lands continue to be lost or degraded grassland habitat was lost prior to the May Haga of breeding waterfowl in Canada through agricultural intensifi cation, start of bird monitoring in 1970. The endangered Greater Sage-Grouse, highly such as conversion to grains, oilseed susceptible to disturbance, occurs in habitats and provide critical stopover sites for or fi bre crops which provide poor The remaining grassland birds are increasingly subject to oil and gas development. migrating waterfowl and shorebirds. habitat for most birds. Oil and gas concentrated in well-managed Preservation and restoration of its prairie and Duck populations in this region development, fragmentation by roads pasturelands and small remnant patches sagebrush habitat will benefi t many other fl uctuate widely from year to year in grassland species. and fi re suppression also reduce habitat. of native prairie. Only the largest patches response to changes in precipitation. The conservation and restoration of remaining native prairie and more All birds +150 bird-friendly agricultural practices Forest birds 50 are needed to restore grassland birds. +100 All birds Other water birds Other 40 • Waterfowl and other water bird water Forest 30 populations fl uctuate with annual water birds Waterfowl +50 Grassland birds levels. Habitat protection, through the birds 20 +25 North American Waterfowl Management +12 10 Plan, and careful harvest management 0 0 have helped to maintain waterfowl −10 10 populations. However, wetlands −20 Strong increase 20 continue to be drained for agriculture, −33 Percent change since 1970 change since Percent Increase 30 and climate models predict droughts in Waterfowl Little change 40 the Prairies, which could lead to future −50 Grassland birds Decrease declines in birds. Strong decrease 50 Decreasing species Increasing species 1970 1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010 Number of increasing and decreasing species Indicators of the average population status of characteristic species in each indicator The State of Canada’s Birds 15 PRAIRIES During the droughts of the 1980s Threats Solutions and again in 2001–2002, waterfowl populations declined by almost 40%, High-intensity farming practices, The most important conservation but then rebounded. such as wetland drainage, conversion activity in the Canadian Prairies of pastureland to cropland and continues to be the preservation of Waterfowl and some other water birds over-grazing, remove and degrade wetlands and native grasslands and the that rely on larger water bodies have grassland and wetland habitat. restoration of native prairies. increased in population—the Ruddy Duck population has increased by over Pollutants, including pesticides and 50% and the Gadwall population by heavy metals, reduce the health, reproduction and survival of birds. over 70%. Collaborative partnerships like Garry C. Trottier the Prairie Habitat Joint Venture, have Linear development (e.g., roads, power Suffi eld National Wildlife Area protects some of helped preserve some of the wetland lines, pipelines, seismic lines) fragments the most extensive remaining short-grass prairie habitat these birds require for breeding the landscape, and introduces noise, in Canada. and survival. predators and invasive plants that are Species that primarily rely on Prairie detrimental to bird populations. Healthy grasslands and wetlands can be protected through cooperative potholes—small, temporary wetlands Increasing water use by cities, tools such as stewardship agreements, that depend on snowmelt and rain— agriculture and industry reduces the community-based urban planning and have generally not fared as well. These amount remaining in wetlands to conservation programs that include habitats are more vulnerable to drought support waterfowl, shorebirds and other landowners.

and draining for agriculture. Among water birds. Nick Saunders these species, the Northern Pintail The Western Meadowlark is one of many Canadians’ lifestyle choices can help Suppressing the natural cycle of fi re, and Horned Grebe populations have species of grassland birds that benefi t from grassland birds. Including bison, beef particularly near cities and towns, has declined by over 70%. bird-friendly agricultural practises. and other range-fed meat in your diet expanded shrub and forest habitats at encourages the retention of pasture the expense of grasslands. Farming practices that are compatible land. Climate change is an emerging threat. with birds are especially important in The predicted increase in droughts the heartland of Canadian agriculture. for the Prairies will have severe Many grassland birds benefi t from consequences for birds and humans. appropriate livestock grazing to maintain their preferred habitat. Other bird-friendly practices include no-till farming, planting cover crops, such as pasture and hay that prevent soil erosion and provide nesting cover for some grassland birds, reducing pesticide use and preserving wetlands. Benefi cial practices in industrial activities, such as noise abatement

May Haga and timing restrictions, can reduce

The wetlands of the Prairie Pothole Region—two disturbance to nearby grassland birds. Nick Saunders thirds of which is in Canada—are the waterfowl American Avocets benefi t from the conservation nursery of North America. About half of the continent’s of wetlands carried out under the North American ducks are produced here. Waterfowl Management Plan. WEST COAST AND MOUNTAINS

Dunlin/Peter Candido

he West Coast and Mountains region Although this decline is troublesome, Tis ecologically diverse, with habitats most of the monitoring data come ranging from temperate rainforest and from the valleys where human activity oak savannah on the coast to mountain is concentrated; populations away from forests, alpine tundra and grasslands settled areas may have diff erent trends. in the interior. In a region dominated Forest birds have declined by

by high mountains, valley bottoms are approximately 10%. Species associated Ralph Hocken important living spaces for birds and with mature forest, such as Pine Siskin, Most Barrow’s Goldeneye in Canada breed in this people. This variety of ecosystem types Red Crossbill, Cassin’s Finch, Purple Finch region; their populations have fl uctuated without a strong trend. is associated with an equally wide range and Pine Grosbeak have decreased most BIRD’S-EYE VIEW of pressures, from natural resource steeply. They are vulnerable to loss of Aerial insectivores have decreased in extraction to urban development to • Characteristic species in this region mature forest due to logging and, more this region, although not as steeply as in shoreline development. have declined, especially in the Pacifi c recently, to the outbreak of Mountain eastern Canada. Coast areas, where forestry, agriculture, Pine Beetle. and expanding urban and coastal Trends Waterfowl populations overall have Grasslands and other open habitats, development have reduced suitable increased in the region. Canada Goose, Overall, characteristic species in the West such as the Garry Oak ecosystem, are habitats for many bird species. Hooded Merganser and Ring-necked Coast and Mountains have decreased under development pressures from Duck populations have more than • Many forest birds have declined, by 10%. In the Pacifi c Coast portion of agriculture and human settlement. doubled. Other water birds appear to especially species associated with this region, where human settlement, Grassland birds, such as Western have increased slightly, but the trend mature forest. Forestry activities and industry and forestry are most intense, Meadowlark and Vesper Sparrow, are is uncertain and the group includes the ongoing outbreak of Mountain they have declined by 35%—a drastic declining as their habitat is lost and both strongly increasing species such as Pine Beetles are expected to reduce the decline for such a large group of species. degraded. Sandhill Crane and strongly decreasing mature pine forest by more than 70% by species such as Great Blue Heron. 2015. The loss of these trees is altering habitat supply and structure for many All 70 declining species, especially birds that +100 Pacific birds Waterfowl Coastal 60 depend on cone crops. Other water birds Shrub Forest Rainforest 50 +50 and • Loss and degradation of grasslands and birds 40 forest- Other riparian (adjacent to water) habitats +25 edge water 30 Grassland Aerial birds throughout the region are linked to +12 birds Waterfowl birds insectivores 20 0 declines in grassland and shrub birds. 10 −10 0 −20 Forest birds All birds 10 −33 Shrub and forest-edge birds Strong increase 20 Percent change since 1973 change since Percent Pacific Coastal Rainforest Increase 30 Aerial insectivores −50 Little change Grassland birds 40 Decrease 50 Strong decrease

60 Decreasing species Increasing species 1973 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010 Number of increasing and decreasing species 70 Indicators of the average population status of characteristic species in each indicator The State of Canada’s Birds 17 WEST COAST AND MOUNTAINS Threats Forest management can support healthy bird populations by promoting Forestry continues to reduce the area structural diversity, such as large snags, of mature forests. Coastal old growth understory shrubs and successional forests take hundreds of years to openings. Forest birds also benefi t re-grow after logging and are still being from management that promotes age logged much faster than they can be and species diversity of trees, such as replaced. Some of the remaining forest retaining forest patches within clear- habitat is fragmented into small, isolated cuts, leaving non-pine trees during patches and degraded by management Elaine R. Wilson Red Crossbills, which feed mainly on cones, salvage logging of beetle-killed trees for forests with uniform age trees of have declined as a result of the loss of mature and replanting the original diversity of a few species. pine trees. tree species. Richard J. Cannings Urbanization and industrial agriculture Conserving and restoring grassland The White-tailed Ptarmigan is one of few species are reducing grassland and riparian Solutions and riparian habitat patches in the that nest in rocky areas above the treeline. Climate habitats in the valleys and degrading working landscape—agricultural and change may aff ect their habitat, but little is known Preserving remaining old growth forests, of their population trends. what remains through invasive plants, urban environments—will benefi t bird particularly in intact watersheds, will heavy recreational use and poorly conservation and the people who live benefi t birds and other wildlife that managed cattle grazing. there. Preventing further fragmentation depend on this ecosystem. Projected droughts in the interior, due and degradation of the remaining to climate change, will severely reduce grassland habitats is vital for maintaining habitat for breeding waterfowl and populations of grassland birds in the other water birds and alter forest bird interior. habitat through changes to water tables.

Widening riparian zones and Richard J. Cannings Flammulated Owls depend on retention of fencing them off to exclude healthy montane coniferous forests. cattle grazing benefi ts endangered species such as the Yellow-breasted Chat. Removal of cattle from riparian habitat in the Okanagan Valley has allowed wild rose thickets to regenerate, providing nesting habitat and allowing the population to increase from 4 to 45 breeding Rene McKibbin © Province of British Columbia © Province pairs. Yellow-breasted Chat The Mountain Pine Beetle epidemic is expected to kill more than 70% of pine forests in the interior of the region. The outbreak has been exacerbated by past forest management and fi re suppression that created large, low-diversity pine forests which were highly susceptible to attack by these beetles. Climate change has resulted in warmer winters that allow unusually high overwinter survival of the beetle, speeding the growth and spread of the outbreak. ARCTIC Baird’s Sandpiper/Kyle Elliot

he Arctic is a land of tundra, imprecise and may be aff ected by shifts Threats Tpermafrost, ponds, lakes and in wintering distribution or migration wetlands, rocky deserts, deep fi ords behaviour. Climate is changing faster in the Arctic and looming cliff s. It includes over 25% than most of the world. Rapid climate Among species for which data are of Canada’s land mass and provides change could aff ect nesting success and available, the overall indicator appears nesting grounds for millions of birds survival for Arctic birds in several ways, to have changed little, but this refl ects a including many of the continent’s including changes in the availability of combination of large increases in some shorebirds, geese and some landbirds. plentiful, high-protein insects, changes groups and large declines in others. The Arctic also supports large colonies in habitat, increases in predators and of several species of seabirds; their Most goose and swan populations have more frequent severe weather events. BIRD’S-EYE VIEW trends are described in the Oceans increased dramatically, due partly to section of this report. extra food sources in agricultural areas • Across all characteristic species, the on their migration routes and wintering overall indicator has changed little areas. because it combines both dramatic Trends increases in waterfowl, primarily geese, The population status of many Arctic In contrast, many shorebird species and steep declines in shorebirds. The birds is poorly known because the have shown dramatic declines, most annual variability in the indicators remoteness, vast area and challenging likely due to loss or degradation of refl ects both true annual fl uctuations in weather conditions in the Arctic make migration stopover sites and wintering bird populations in this highly variable monitoring diffi cult. Information for areas. Some seaduck species are also May Haga environment, and also uncertainty that many species depends on counts made declining, as are several landbirds, Too much of a good thing? Snow Goose populations have increased by more than 300% comes from challenges in monitoring during migration or on their wintering though the reasons for these declines and are degrading coastal salt marshes through Arctic species. grounds, but these counts can be are poorly understood. intense foraging. • Shorebirds that nest in the Arctic are declining sharply. The biggest threats All birds are habitat loss and degradation along migratory routes and in wintering areas, +150 25 Waterfowl but climate change may be reducing Other 20 +100 Other water birds water their breeding success. All birds birds 15 Shorebirds Waterfowl • Several goose populations have +50 Landbirds 10 increased dramatically due largely +25 5 to abundant winter food sources +12 0 0 from agriculture; these populations −10 are now causing serious damage to −20 5 Arctic wetlands and tundra through −33 10

over-grazing. 1974 change since Percent Strong increase 15 −50 Landbirds Increase • Climate change is already aff ecting 20 Shorebirds Little change Arctic ecosystems and is projected to Decreasing species Increasing species −60 Decrease 25 change at rates that will exceed the Strong decrease ability of some Arctic bird species to 1974 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010 Number of increasing and decreasing species adapt. Indicators of the average population status of characteristic species in each indicator The State of Canada’s Birds 19 ARCTIC Increased natural resource exploration and extraction—such as expansion of energy and mining activities and Challenges for long-distance associated infrastructure—disturb migratory shorebirds nesting birds, destroy sensitive habitats Arctic shorebird populations have and increase the risk of spills or other declined by 60% overall and 10 species environmental contamination. are in severe decline. Similar patterns are Many Arctic nesting birds migrate long evident for shorebirds nesting elsewhere May Haga distances and are particularly vulnerable of NWT© Government in Canada. to threats beyond Canada’s borders. Development in the Arctic must be carefully Endangered Red Knots migrate through Delaware Migrating from one end of the world Bay where they feed on the eggs of horseshoe Hazards include extreme weather, managed to avoid ecosystem damage. to the other, shorebirds depend on crabs to fuel their spring migration. Overfi shing hunting, pesticides, changes in food a complex network of wetland and of the crabs has been a major factor leading to availability and habitat loss at migration Protection of key stopover habitats and declines in this species. food sources along migration routes, upland habitats, and are vulnerable to stopover sites and wintering areas. habitat loss at any stage of their journey. both inside and outside of Canada, and and South America, and agricultural Solutions regulation of hunting in Caribbean and expansion and intensifi cation that is South and Central American wintering aff ecting open grassland habitat. Identifying and protecting areas that areas, are necessary to help improve are most important for bird survival and survival for Arctic-nesting shorebirds. Monitoring shorebird populations most resistant to climate change will presents particular challenges. Most help to minimize negative impacts of current monitoring data come from human activity on bird populations. migration stopover sites, but may be biased by changes in stopover behaviour. Maintaining stringent environmental A major international eff ort, the Program assessments for development projects for Regional and International Shorebird

in the Arctic and appropriate mitigation Charles M. Francis Monitoring (PRISM) is now underway to measures will reduce risks to birds. Monitoring shorebirds in the Arctic taiga and tundra provides valuable information improve understanding of population on distribution and trends but is logistically trends and causes of declines of challenging and expensive, requiring helicopters shorebirds involving surveys in the Arctic, to access sampling areas. on migration and in southern wintering areas. Many species of shorebirds concentrate in large numbers at key feeding and resting sites along their migration routes, both in Canada and internationally. Loss or degradation of any one of these sites can lead to dramatic declines in their populations. Shorebirds are also aff ected by habitat loss and other threats on their wintering areas, such as development that is reducing and degrading coastal © Ducks Unlimited Canada May Haga Snowy Owl populations have declined habitats in the Caribbean and Central Arctic breeding Whimbrel are threatened by more than half, possibly due to by hunting in the Caribbean. changes in lemming populations associated with climate change. OCEANS Short-tailed Shearwaters and Black-legged Kittiwakes/Yuri Artukhin

ordered by three oceans, with food was widespread, decimating many Bthe longest coastline in the populations and driving the extinction world (244 000 km) and more than of the Great Auk—a large, fl ightless 52 000 islands, Canada supports about relative of murres and puffi ns. Seabirds 15 million breeding seabirds. The most live a long time and reproduce slowly, abundant are Leach’s Storm-Petrel, so their populations, once reduced, are Thick-billed Murre and Cassin’s Auklet. In slow to recover. addition, there are millions of migrants, In Atlantic Canada, these long-term mostly shearwaters, which breed in the recoveries levelled off for many Richard Cotter Southern Hemisphere and visit Canada BIRD’S-EYE VIEW populations in the early 1990s, when The largest colony of Northern Gannets during our summer. In winter, many changes in food webs, also linked to in the world is on Bonaventure Island in the Gulf birds from the Eastern Atlantic move to of St. Lawrence in Quebec. Since 1976, the number • In the Arctic and Atlantic oceans, nesting the crash of the Newfoundland cod Canadian waters, making this region the of pairs has increased from 16 000 to almost seabird populations have generally population, reduced available prey fi sh. 60 000, partly as a result of reduced exposure principle wintering area for seabirds in to pesticides such as DDT. increased since 1970. Some of these In the high Arctic, climate change increases refl ect a long-term recovery the North Atlantic. may be having short-term benefi ts for In the Pacifi c Ocean, monitoring of from historical over-hunting. Trends seabirds by reducing the number of seabird colonies began in the 1980s, • In contrast, in the Pacifi c there has been years when heavy sea-ice cover limits and slight declines have been recorded a slight decline since 1980; introduced Breeding seabird colonies in the Atlantic feeding. Conversely in the low Arctic, in the most abundant species: Cassin’s predators on nesting islands and other and Arctic have shown overall increases, earlier ice break-up has adversely Auklet and Ancient Murrelet. The declines threats to breeding sites have had a partially refl ecting a long-term recovery aff ected nest success in some species, are primarily the result of introduced negative eff ect on some species. from historical over-hunting. Before including Thick-billed Murres. The long- predators—rats and raccoons—that have • Seabirds are particularly vulnerable to the Migratory Birds Convention of 1916, term consequences of changing food eliminated some local nesting colonies oil spills, mortality from fi shing nets or harvest of seabirds and their eggs for webs are poorly understood. on off shore islands. hooks, and predators in their nesting colonies. In addition, their food supply All is being aff ected by complex changes seabirds in ocean ecosystems due to climate +100 20 change and large-scale commercial Atlantic seabirds Atlantic fi sheries both inside and outside of seabirds 15 All seabirds Arctic Canadian waters. +50 Arctic seabirds Pacific seabirds 10 seabirds +25 5 +12 0 0 −10 5 −20 Strong increase Increase 10 −33 Little change Decrease 15 Percent change since 1970s or 1980s change since Percent Pacific seabirds

Strong decrease Decreasing species Increasing species −50 20

1970s 1980s 1990s 2000s N bfii ddi i The State of Canada’s Birds 21 OCEANS

No reliable monitoring data are available baited hooks or become tangled in for the millions of seabirds that visit lines. Diving seabirds drown when they Canadian waters in their non-breeding are caught in fi sh nets. Common Murres season. However, monitoring data and Rhinoceros Auklets are regularly elsewhere indicate that some of killed in salmon gillnets. these species are globally threatened, including the Short-tailed and Solutions Black-footed Albatross. Illegal oil discharges can be minimized © Government of Canada © Government through regular surveillance, including Threats Aircraft are used to identify polluters after oil satellite and aircraft monitoring slicks are detected by satellite surveillance. Oil at sea, both illegal discharges conducted by the federal government. and major spills, poses an increasing Techniques for the eradication of threat to Canada’s seabirds. Oil and gas Murrelet, a species for which Canada introduced predators from islands are developments are concentrated on supports half of the world population. well established and progress has been continental shelves around Canada’s Changes in climate are having a strong made in securing several colonies on coasts, which are also the prime eff ect on marine ecosystems. For some the Pacifi c Coast. feeding areas for many birds and fi sh. Arctic species, changes in ice cover are While breeding, seabirds aggregate threatening their survival, including Unintended mortality from fi sheries in huge colonies—sometimes more the Endangered Ivory Gull, which can be reduced by deploying streamers than a million birds—and these vast relies on sea ice for feeding. Rising that scare birds from baited lines, by concentrations are extremely vulnerable temperatures in the Pacifi c Ocean ensuring that lines and nets sink swiftly to marine oil spills. cause plankton populations to peak and by limiting fi shing activities near

large concentrations of seabirds. Lash Tim Introduced predators kill adult birds, earlier in the season. Plankton-feeding their eggs and nestlings in breeding seabirds, unable to adjust their timing of Establishment of marine protected Thick-billed Murres at many colonies have to travel breeding, have trouble fi nding enough farther from their nests to fi nd prey fi sh, due to colonies. Some colonies that formerly areas, improved management of ocean warming and reduced sea-ice. supported many thousands of birds food to reproduce successfully. fi sheries and reduced carbon emissions have been abandoned. This has Longline fi shing kills seabirds— will benefi t marine birds by maintaining particularly aff ected species on the mostly albatrosses, gulls, fulmars and healthy food webs. Pacifi c coast, including the Ancient shearwaters—that attempt to feed on

Oceans are important wintering habitat During the winter, many birds move to marine environments, such as loons, seaducks, waterbirds that nest beside inland waters and shorebirds that breed in terrestrial regions. Shorebirds primarily congregate in inter-tidal areas while loons, seaducks, phalaropes and Charles M. Francis some waterbirds spend the winter in the open ocean. Red-necked Phalarope These species are sensitive to some of the same hazards

Paul Regular Paul as seabirds, including oiling and changes in sea-ice and food availability. They are also vulnerable to coastal habitat loss both within and outside of Canada. Atlantic Puffi n BEYOND OUR BORDERS Migrating Broad-winged Hawks/David McCauley

ore than 75% of Canadian bird to their Canadian breeding grounds. Threats Mspecies spend at least half of Many species over-wintering in the the year outside of Canada. When the United States, Mexico, Central America The greatest concern for many plentiful food and warm weather of and the Caribbean are also declining migratory species is loss of habitat the Canadian summer ends, migratory severely. Only for birds over-wintering in both inside, and increasingly, outside birds leave for warmer climates. But Canada are there more increasing than of Canada. With growing development migration is risky. Travelling hundreds decreasing species. pressures in many countries in the or thousands of kilometres, birds must Caribbean, Central and South America, 20 and global demand for products from fi nd food, shelter and safe passage, both COSEWIC Status these countries, natural habitats are en route and at their destinations. They Special Concern depend on a chain of stopover sites 15 Threatened rapidly being converted for human use. between their breeding habitats and Endangered Agriculture is replacing both natural forests and grasslands. Logging has wintering habitats. If habitat is lost or 10

damaged at any one of these points in at Risk signifi cantly reduced the forest habitats % their annual journey, it can have drastic of Central America and the Caribbean. 5 consequences. Beach-tourism and shrimp aquaculture are replacing coastal habitats, including 0 mangroves and salt marshes. BIRD’S-EYE VIEW Trends Canada United Mexico, South Species that migrate the farthest— States Central America, America • Bird species that migrate to South Among species that winterCaribbean primarily in each between Canada and South America— of four major areas, the percentage assessed America have decreased much more are declining much more steeply than species that migrate shorter as “at risk” by COSEWIC is highest for species than species that over-winter closer migrating farthest, to South America. distances. • At every stage of their annual journeys, United Mexico, States migratory species must fi nd suffi cient Central habitat and food and avoid numerous America, 60 and the hazards, such as pollution, collisions +100 Canada 50 Caribbean Canada with buildings and towers, severe storms United States 40 South and uncontrolled hunting. +50 America 30 • Migratory birds link Canada with other +25 20 countries. Canadian conservation +12 10 eff orts for migratory birds are most 0 0 −10 10 successful when they foster international −20 cooperation and coordination. 20 −33 30 Percent change since 1970 change since Percent 40 −50 Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean Strong increase 50 South America Increase Decreasing species Increasing species −60 60 Little change Decrease 1970 1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010 Strong decrease The State of Canada’s Birds 23 BEYOND OUR BORDERS Pollution—oil spills, pesticides, industrial Solutions: International chemicals and heavy metals—degrade cooperation helps the quality of air, water and terrestrial migrating birds Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve habitats, and may sicken or kill birds. Network (WHSRN) Many toxic pesticides now banned from International cooperation at the During migration, many shorebird species, such Canada and the United States are still in continental and hemispheric levels is as Semipalmated Sandpipers, concentrate in large widespread use elsewhere. needed to ensure that the needs of numbers at critical stopover sites where they fi nd migratory birds are addressed at all food to fuel the next stage of their migration. Loss Collisions with towers, windows, or degradation of any one of these sites can lead phases of their life cycles. International vehicles and power lines kill millions of to dramatic declines in their populations. The treaties, such as the Migratory Birds birds each year as they migrate between Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve Network Convention between Canada and has, so far, identifi ed and helped conserve over breeding and wintering areas. the United States and environmental 80 vital stopover, breeding and wintering sites for shorebirds, throughout the Western Hemisphere. Mark Peck Uncontrolled hunting and trapping components of free trade agreements, Semipalmated Sandpiper fl ock remains a concern for birds in some provide a foundation for cooperative countries. Many shorebirds are hunted conservation activities. Shared in the Caribbean, while songbirds are expertise and funding support are trapped for the caged bird trade in needed to develop joint programs. many areas. Rural Caribbean: Economic management BirdLife International brings together for birds and people non-government organizations Climate change will have particularly throughout the world to develop The Caribbean islands of Cuba and Hispaniola strong eff ects on long-distance migrants are important stopover or wintering grounds for coordinated conservation agendas. because changes anywhere along their many migratory birds that breed in Canada. Nature Many successful cooperative programs migration routes can disrupt their life Canada and its regional partners in Haiti, the have been developed, a few of which Dominican Republic and Cuba are working with cycle. Mismatches between migration are highlighted here, but many more rural communities to develop economic activities timing and food availability can lead similar programs are needed to ensure that conserve bird habitat such as agro-forestry to reduced nesting success. Changing and ecotourism. that birds hatched in Canada can survive sea levels will fl ood coastal stopover

their migratory journey and return to © Grupo Jaragua habitats. More frequent, stronger breed. Birding in the Dominican Republic storms can lead to major mortality on migration.

Southern Cone of South America: Alliance for Grasslands

Canada Warbler populations have Grassland species, such as the Swainson’s Hawk, declined dramatically over the that spend the northern winter in the pampas and last 40 years and the species is cerrado of the Southern Cone of South America now designated by COSEWIC as face ongoing habitat loss, where grasslands are Threatened. They face threats at all being converted to agriculture, plantations or stages of their life cycle, including urban settlements. The Alliance for Grasslands is a changes in Canada’s boreal forests, collaboration led by BirdLife International partners mortality risks on migration and loss in Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay. The Nick Saunders of habitat in their wintering areas. Alliance is establishing conservation priorities for

monitoring and research and working with private May Haga Restoring their populations will Swainson’s Hawk require concerted eff ort throughout landowners to support bird-friendly production their range. within local and traditional cultural frameworks. BIRDS OF CONSERVATION CONCERN

ifteen percent of species that 40 Species at Risk: Are we making progress? Fregularly occur in Canada are COSEWIC Status designated in some level of risk Strong decrease 80 Special Concern COSEWIC – at risk category by the Committee on the 30 Threatened Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada Endangered 15 Extinct or Extirpated (COSEWIC). These species require extra 60 eff orts to restore their populations to 20 10 healthy levels and to ensure their long- 40 term conservation. Special attention is also needed for species showing 20 5 marked declines, which may become at 10 ber of Bird Species at Risk of Canada’s Bird Species m risk if prompt action is not taken. % Nu 0 0

Percent of characteristic species at risk or decreasing 2001 2006 2011 Protecting Species at Risk 0 The federal Species at Risk Act (SARA) Since 2001, when COSEWIC adopted its current criteria for West Coast Lower Prairie Arctic Southern Shield Oceans Eastern Western assessments, the number of birds designated as at risk has increased. and similar provincial and territorial and Great Lakes– and Maritimes Boreal Boreal This partly refl ects improvements in our knowledge—better Mountains St. Lawrence legislation in most parts of Canada The percentage of bird species that are designated as at risk by COSEWIC or are showing information, more species assessed and greater awareness of provide some extra protection for large decreases varies geographically across Canada. The highest proportions of species at imperilled species—but also real declines in the status of some of species at risk and require recovery risk are in the regions most heavily impacted by human activities: the Lower Great Lakes– Canada’s bird species. plans to identify appropriate actions St. Lawrence, the West Coast and Mountains and the Prairies. The Arctic also has a high 115 to protect each species. In practice, percentage of species of concern, due partly to changes happening outside the Arctic— habitat loss and degradation along their extended migration routes and in southern- conserving species at risk and hemisphere wintering areas. 110 implementing recovery plans present many challenges. Limited funds are 105 available to support recovery. Species 100 may be aff ected by a broad range of 95 threats both in Canada and elsewhere of COSEWIC status on their migration routes and wintering x

Inde 90 grounds. In many cases, the precise causes of declines are unknown, or 85 research is required to determine which 1978 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010 threats are most important so that eff orts can be directed to the most An index of changes in the status of COSEWIC-designated species over time, after they are designated, indicates that, on average, status critical problems. In extreme cases, improved (values >100) between the late 1970s and the late 1990s. captive breeding has been necessary Many species assessed during the earlier time periods had declined to help restore populations that have as a result of toxic pesticides such as DDT. Banning of DDT, combined been reduced to excessively low levels. with concerted conservation eff orts, such as re-introduction However, this is very expensive, can only May Haga programs and artifi cial nest-boxes and platforms, helped some Loggerhead Shrikes have declined throughout their range in Canada and species recover. Since the 1990s, the average status of species be aff orded for some species and can are now considered Endangered. Captive breeding is being undertaken at risk has worsened. Many species are threatened by complex only succeed if the original threats have with some success, but releasing individuals into the wild is challenging, as combinations of factors that are poorly understood and that make been addressed. the original threats are still not fully understood and addressed. quick recovery unlikely. The State of Canada’s Birds 25 BIRDS OF CONSERVATION CONCERN Prevention is better than a cure It is much more cost eff ective to take action early, to prevent species The Whooping Crane: A success story from becoming at risk, instead of Although the problems of bird requiring emergency action to recover conservation can seem daunting, endangered species. Special attention the dedication and concern of is needed for bird species showing Canadians, in cooperation with partners substantial population declines which throughout the Americas, have led to have not yet reached critical status. Bird some successes. By 1938, the Whooping conservation planning (see page 28), Crane population had declined to only focussed on these priority species, can 15 individuals due to a combination help to identify the most eff ective ways of hunting and habitat loss. Intensive to manage the landscape to ensure management in both the United States conservation of species before they

and Canada has included habitat /Klaus Canada Nigge © Parks become threatened or endangered. protection, a captive breeding program, creation of new wild populations and the CourtGordon use of ultra-light planes to teach migration. By 2011, numbers had increased to over The Piping Plover: Land-use confl icts 430 in the wild (including introduced populations) and another 160 in captivity. While across its range the Whooping Crane is still considered endangered and remains one of the rarest birds In all parts of their range, Piping Plovers in North America, these eff orts are gradually pulling this magnifi cent bird away from depend on habitat that is highly the brink of extinction. desirable for people: beaches in eastern Canada and their wintering grounds; and lakes, ponds and other water sources in the Prairies. On their breeding grounds, threats include accidental

Isaac Sanchez disturbance and nest destruction by The Wood Thrush, well known for its ethereal, beach users and predation by cats and fl ute-like song, was formerly one of the most other predators such as crows and gulls. common forest birds in eastern North America, In their wintering areas, many beaches but the Canadian population has decreased by almost 70% in the last 40 years. Prompt are being developed into tourist conservation action, including conserving resorts to support the local economy. habitat in its breeding range and its wintering Cooperative international eff orts that grounds in Central America, is needed to reverse balance economic development with the trend and ensure it is never designated as the habitat requirements of Piping a species at risk. Plovers are needed to help recover this endangered species. Alan Burger

The Ivory Gull was designated as a species of Special Concern in 2001, but by 2006 due to ongoing declines, the status was reassessed as Endangered. Only 500–700 adults are thought to remain in Canada. 26 The State of Canada’s Birds BIRDS OF CONSERVATION CONCERN Where have all the swallows some shrub and open-nesting species gone? has also declined. However, for other Aerial insectivores are birds that species there have been no obvious specialize in a diet of fl ying insects. changes in breeding habitat. Further Populations of these birds have research is urgently needed to identify decreased more than any other group the causes of these declines so that in Canada. Twenty-two of the 26 species appropriate conservation action can be that breed in Canada are declining, taken to reverse them. with swifts, swallows and nightjars— Common Nighthawk and Eastern Whip-

poor-will—showing the most alarming Charles M. Francis changes. Cliff Swallows have declined as have many other swallow species. Most colonies are now found on We don’t yet know why aerial human structures such as buildings and bridges, insectivores are showing such steep and need to be protected. declines. These birds depend entirely on fl ying insects for food and any mismatched seasonal cycles of birds and decrease in fl ying insects from pesticides their insect prey that could be disastrous or other contaminants—in Canada, for species with no alternative food along migration routes or in their source. For some aerial insectivores, such

wintering grounds—could have a large as Chimney Swift and Barn Swallow, Harvey Schmidt impact on survival. Even a minor shift in human-made nesting sites are no longer Changes in fl ying insect populations are poorly the seasonal timing of insect emergence as widely available (e.g., open chimneys understood but may be partly responsible for due to climate change, could result in and wooden barns), and habitat for declines in aerial insectivores.

+100 10

Nick Saunders +50 +25 Swallows, Flycatchers Olive-sided Flycatchers breed around wetlands Swifts and 0 5 across the Boreal forest. Their populations Nightjars have declined dramatically and they are now −20 designated as Threatened, though the causes −33 0 of their decline are not understood. −50 −60 5 −70

Percent change since 1970 change since Percent Swallows, Swifts and Nightjars 10 −80 Flycatchers Decreasing species Increasing species −85 Strong increase Increase 1970 1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010 Little change Decrease Strong decrease Indicators of the average population status of two groups Number of increasing and decreasing species of aerial insectivores in each indicator CONSERVING CANADA’S BIRDS The State of Canada’s Birds 27

nsuring healthy populations Foundations of bird conservation ensure sustainable recreational hunting Eof all species of Canada’s birds in Canada in both countries. Many species such as requires a concerted eff ort by all levels At the end of the 19th century, many herons, egrets and waterfowl recovered of society including government, species of North American birds had dramatically after protection. non-government organizations, the been hunted almost to extinction. Eff orts to conserve Canada’s birds scientifi c community, the commercial- Increasing awareness of their plight continue to build on this foundation, industrial sector and individuals. It led to national and international including designating protected areas requires working in Canada as well as protections, including the Migratory to conserve key habitats, developing internationally with countries that share Birds Convention, signed by Canada monitoring programs to track the status our birds. From developing appropriate and the United States in 1916. Although of birds, working to recover species at policy and legislation, to providing the too late for some extinct species, such risk, undertaking research to identify scientifi c foundation for conservation as the Passenger Pigeon, Great Auk key habitat and other requirements, through population monitoring and and Labrador Duck, this convention and determining best practices for research, to education, to preparing has provided the foundation for nearly managing landscapes to conserve birds and implementing management a century of international cooperation while allowing other societal uses. In the plans, to on-the-ground conservation on bird conservation. Commercial rest of this section, we highlight some of actions, everyone can contribute to bird harvesting of birds was banned, and the ways that Canadians, in all sectors of conservation. careful regulations have helped to society can work together to conserve st iistististiisisisiiiiiiiii our birds. r h chrchrcc lhlchrlchrlchrlchrlchrlchrlchrllcll i GiGiGiGiGiGiGiGiGGG tGi tGi tGi t Gi Protected areas in Canada Grant Gilchrist Grant GGran Gran Gran Gran GGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG National, provincial and territorial Cobourg Island is one of several National Wildlife parks, National Wildlife Areas, Migratory Areas in the Arctic established to protect large Bird Sanctuaries and other forms seabird colonies. of protected areas help to ensure the long-term protection of some even the most remote and isolated of Canada’s key natural areas. Many parks. Active management is required protected areas strive to maintain to maintain the values of these areas ecosystem integrity, but in many and counteract the negative impacts of smaller areas, their integrity depends outside factors. Some protected areas on the surrounding landscape. Loss allow resource extraction inside their or degradation of surrounding natural boundaries; for example, forestry is still habitats aff ects the quality of the air, permitted in some provincial parks. the water and the habitats within a Recreational activities are important in protected area. Invasive species, such many protected areas but must also be Mark Peck as insect pests, alien plants, aquatic carefully managed to ensure that they animals and wildlife diseases, alter whole do not degrade the area. Egrets were hunted nearly to extinction by the early ecosystems. Climate change can aff ect 1900s to meet demand for their feathers in ladies’ hats, but since protection, their populations have recovered. 28 The State of Canada’s Birds CONSERVING CANADA’S BIRDS Conservation in the working Forestry Important Bird Areas: International avian hotspots landscape Canada’s forests are naturally dynamic— BirdLife International has developed a set of global criteria for Conservation of viable and healthy wind storms, insect outbreaks, disease identifying Important Bird Areas (IBAs)—areas of particular populations of birds requires not only and fi re continuously change them. importance to one or more species of birds at some stage of their protected areas, which collectively cover Forests are adapted to regenerate and life cycle. Bird Studies Canada and Nature Canada, have identifi ed nearly 600 IBAs only a small portion of the landscape, recover from disturbances, and Canada’s in Canada. The majority are sites where large numbers of birds regularly breed, but also conservation in the remaining birds have evolved to live in these congregate or pass through on migration; others were identifi ed because they are “working” landscape—areas where dynamic landscapes. particularly important to one or more species at risk. human activities and nature interact. In general, what is good for birds is Forestry practices that emulate natural Designation as an IBA provides no offi cial protected status, but instead highlights the good for people. Sustainable resource disturbance patterns and schedules area as particularly important to birds and encourages opportunities for conservation. use, clean air and clean water lead to continue to provide birds with the Once identifi ed, IBAs can be considered as candidate sites for formal protection a healthy environment for birds and habitats they need to live and nest while and considered in land and water-use planning. They are also being supported by a people. providing Canadians and the economy Caretaker program, which engages local individuals and organizations to help monitor with forest products such as wood and bird populations, collect information on threats to birds within the IBA, restore habitat Most species of Canada’s birds can cope paper. Managing the landscape for as needed, and educate and advocate for the birds that use the IBA. with moderate levels of disturbance and multiple objectives requires adapting a variety of habitat alterations—within practices to local situations and may Protected status of Canadian IBAs limits. Human activities, ranging from involve some compromises. Some forest resource extraction to agriculture to must be set aside or managed on longer Almost 70% of Canada’s IBAs have urban development, can be done in rotation schedules to support species little or no formal protection—none ways that minimize negative impacts or a small portion of the IBA overlaps that depend on mature forests. In some on the environment and help to sustain forests, such as southern hardwood a protected area. Of the IBAs that do healthy bird populations. overlap, only half are in protected areas forests or west coast rainforests, mature where conservation is the primary focus, such as national parks and conservation Bird conservation planning reserves. The remainder occur in areas that allow a wider range of human Environment Canada, on behalf of activities including development. Many NABCI Canada, is leading development activities are compatible with birds, of bird conservation plans for each of including hunting, well-managed Canada’s 12 Bird Conservation Regions farming and many types of recreational (BCRs), in collaboration with similar eff orts in the United States and Mexico. Carla Ahern Carla All/Almost All The dedication of volunteer IBA Caretakers helps These plans identify the priority bird Most maintain the value of IBAs. species for each region, as well as their key habitat requirements, specifi c pursuits. However, some industrial threats and the activities needed to activities may be incompatible with Some address the threats. The plans will IBAs, particularly if they destroy key provide a basis for a comprehensive habitat features, increase the risk of approach to managing Canada’s land environmental contamination, or create Little/None and resources that benefi ts birds major risks to birds. Careful land-use and the overall environment. planning is needed to ensure the values Proportion of Canada’s IBAs grouped by the North America is divided into 66 Bird Conservation amount of their area that is protected.. of each IBA are conserved. Regions The State of Canada’s Birds 29 CONSERVING CANADA’S BIRDS trees may be several hundred years support many species of grassland birds; regeneration. Disturbed areas should Addressing other threats to birds old, and only a limited amount of however, excessive grazing can lead to be promptly restored through planting Tens of millions of birds die each year selective harvesting can be considered insuffi cient cover and trampled nests. of appropriate native vegetation after across Canada from collisions with sustainable and retain the original forest Hedgerows and remnant vegetation mining operations are complete. windows, tall buildings, transmission dynamics. around fi elds provide nesting sites, Improved technologies help to minimize towers, power lines, vehicles and other food and shelter for many songbirds, toxic emissions and pollution, providing structures. Although this mortality in addition to reducing soil erosion in clean air and water both for humans and cannot be completely eliminated, fi elds. Natural vegetation and fall-seeded wildlife. Eff ective monitoring of water, air the risks can be reduced. Turning off crops around small ponds and potholes and wildlife ensures that standards are building lights at night during the provide nesting habitat for many species met, and that no unexpected adverse migration season not only reduces of ducks. Selecting less toxic pesticides impacts are encountered. mortality to birds, but also saves and reducing their use minimizes the energy. Ultraviolet refl ective markings eff ects on non-pest insects to help Urban development on windows help birds to avoid them. retain healthy food supplies for birds. Urban environments cannot support Reducing the height of transmission Charles M Francis all the bird species that occur in the towers, avoiding guy wires and using Forestry operations that emulate natural Mining, oil and gas surrounding range of native habitats. strobe lights instead of steady burning disturbances can meet society’s need for wood Our society and economy depend on However, with careful planning, urban and paper products while supporting diverse lights reduces risks to birds. Policies that bird communities. natural resources such as minerals, areas can host a wide variety of native encourage diff erent companies to share oil and gas—and we all make use of species. In-fi ll development and other the same towers would reduce the total strategies that promote higher density number of towers needed. Agriculture of housing have economic benefi ts Globally, nearly 40% of the earth’s and reduce the extent of natural areas surface has been converted to that needs to be converted. Eff ective agriculture, including much of southern land-use planning can help to retain key Canada. Fortunately, many species natural habitats during development of birds can thrive in agricultural and create multi-use green spaces environments, provided the farming is within urban environments providing appropriately managed. Appropriately breeding and migration habitat for birds, grazed pastures create habitats similar Laurie Buckland while increasing the quality of life for Pipelines must be carefully routed to minimize people living there. Keightley Will to native short-grass prairie and can damage to natural habitats and reduce the risk Feral cats and domestic cats allowed outdoors kill of spills. more birds than any other human activity. them. Mining and extracting these Outdoor cats kill more than 100 million products necessarily leads to some birds every year in Canada alone. degradation of our environment, but Reducing or eliminating stray cat there are many ways the damage can populations and keeping domestic be minimized. Careful planning can cats indoors will protect many birds. ensure that the footprint is as small Research has shown that cats kill many as possible, access roads are routed more birds than their owners realise and to minimize disturbance and that that bells on collars do not save birds. © Photos.com – 2012 © Photos.com key habitats, such as wetlands, are Hayfi elds provide excellent nesting habitat for protected. Seismic lines can be kept as Joel Campbell Fisheries kill some seabirds but some Northern Cardinals have adapted well to city many grassland birds, as long as cutting of the hay narrow as possible to minimize habitat relatively simple and eff ective solutions is delayed until after young birds have left their environments and enrich the lives of people nests. fragmentation and encourage rapid living there. exist, such as using streamers and 30 The State of Canada’s Birds CONSERVING CANADA’S BIRDS other visual distractions to keep birds emissions, minimize risks of spills and collapsing food-webs, and many more away from baited longlines, weighting use fewer, less toxic pesticides will eff ects are predicted. Reducing these longlines to ensure they sink quickly benefi t both birds and humans. threats requires urgent action to prevent beyond the birds’ reach and setting nets further climate change and to mitigate away from areas where seabirds are Climate change and adapt to the eff ects that are

known to concentrate. Climate change is already having Beck Tony inevitable, by implementing land-use In 2005, Hurricane Wilma carried millions of and conservation plans that account for Chemical pollution—pesticides, oil measurable eff ects on bird populations through mortality during severe migrating birds off -course, some being blown the added threat and uncertainty. spills, heavy metals, etc.—kill birds across the Atlantic to Europe. Many of these birds outright and have more chronic eff ects weather events, mistimed insect died, including many Chimney Swifts which on bird health, survival and their ability emergence, disappearing Arctic ice, declined by 50% in Quebec breeding surveys to reproduce. Strategies to reduce changing ocean temperatures and the next year.

Intervention yields results: Raptors recoveries are a testament to the power relatively dense populations of prey in recovery of strong controls on key environmental species, such as the non-native pollutants and hands-on management European Starling. One of the great success stories for bird of endangered species to improve the conservation is the continuing recovery As a group, raptors are increasing but plight of birds. These steep recoveries of many raptors (i.e., hawks, falcons, not all species have fared equally well. also point to the profound eff ects that eagles, osprey and vultures) since the American Kestrels and Northern Harriers, DDT had on these birds. banning of chemical pesticides such as for example, have declined by 60%. Both DDT in the early 1970s. Across Canada, Many raptors are adapting to urban species depend on open grassland and Ospreys and Bald Eagles have doubled environments. Peregrine Falcons, farms and are aff ected by many of the or tripled in population. Thanks in Merlins, Cooper’s Hawks, and Broad- same threats as other grassland birds. CourtGordon Peregrine Falcon populations have recovered due part to some intense eff orts at captive winged Hawks are becoming more Swainson’s Hawks are known to be to a combination of reduced pesticides and active breeding, many major Canadian cities common in urban and suburban vulnerable to poisoning from pesticides release of captive-bred individuals in areas where now have Peregrine Falcons nesting environments—partially due to in South America. populations had disappeared. on skyscrapers and bridges. These Raptors +100 10

+50 5 +25 +12 0 0 −10 −20 5 −33 Strong increase Percent change since 1970 change since Percent Increase Little change Raptors Decrease 10 −50 Strong decrease Decreasing species Increasing species Mark Peck The Cooper’s Hawk is one of several raptor 1970 1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010 species that are increasingly adapting to urban Number of increasing and decreasing environments. Indicators of the average population status of raptors species in the indicator The State of Canada’s Birds 31 CONSERVING CANADA’S BIRDS What can one person do? coff ee, range-fed meat, sustainable “Never doubt that a small group of seafood and fi sh and sustainable thoughtful, committed citizens can forestry products. Reducing our resource change the world. Indeed, it is the only consumption, increasing recycling, thing that ever has.” (Margaret Mead) taking public transport or bicycling to work and driving fuel effi cient cars The actions of society are determined all lead to environmental benefi ts, by the actions of individuals. The including reduced greenhouse gas choices we make and the activities we emissions, that ultimately benefi t birds. undertake collectively make a diff erence to birds. There are many things that we We can help birds even more by can do as individuals to improve the supporting bird-friendly policies. environment for birds and people. Learn about the environmental policies of each level of government and Some choices benefi t bird populations how they will aff ect birds. Share your directly, such as keeping cats indoors views with others through letters to and choosing products that support newspapers, community meetings bird-friendly agricultural, fi sheries Ward Peter and social media. andand foforestryrestry practices—shade-grownpractices—shade-ggrown There are many opportunities for volunteers of all ages and with a variety of skills to help with

bird conservation projects, such as repairing nest Charles M. Francis boxes in a conservation area. Scarlet Tanager

You can also contribute to bird conservation by supporting your local naturalist groups and other conservation organizations. You can learn more about birds and other wildlife by participating in their meetings or organizing fi eld trips with other interested people. Working with children is especially rewarding, by teaching them to experience and appreciate the natural world, and support conservation in the future. Learning more about birds also opens the opportunity to join the rapidly growing numbers of Citizen Scientists who participate in bird surveys. If you enjoy identifying birds, there are opportunities for everybody, from beginners to experts. © Catherine Jardine © Catherine Engaging children in Citizen Science programs, such as eBird, the Christmas Bird Count and Project FeederWatch, provides an opportunity for them to have fun outdoors, contribute to a valuable scientifi c program and learn to appreciate the environment. MONITORING CANADA’S BIRDS

nformation gathered from monitoring Current state of bird monitoring Monitoring programs have been participation, both in formal programs, Ibird populations is essential for Currently, about 70% of the 451 species improving over time such as the North American Breeding tracking the status of bird populations— that occur regularly in Canada, including Despite the gaps, knowledge on Bird Survey, and less formal programs identifying which species are doing both breeders and non-breeders, have the status of birds in Canada has such as checklists. Improved designs well and which may need conservation medium or high quality monitoring been gradually increasing. New and greater eff ort on professional action. These data provide the data. The remaining 30% are not yet programs have been developed, and surveys has also contributed to foundation for this report on the state monitored well enough to determine the geographic coverage of many improvements. Nevertheless, many of Canada’s birds. Monitoring data are reliably whether their populations existing programs has expanded to fi ll areas remain diffi cult to monitor, and also used to set priorities, evaluate are increasing, decreasing or stable. gaps as they are recognized. A major substantial new eff orts and resources management actions and track the Managing these poorly monitored contribution to increased coverage will be needed to fi ll gaps for all species. recovery of species at risk. They provide species presents particular risks, as has been a large jump in volunteer information on changes in distribution we do not know whether they have and abundance due to climate change, conservation concerns and, if they do, disease, invasive species or other factors, what needs to be done about them. and can help to identify potential causes of population change and appropriate The North American Breeding Bird Survey, conservation actions. a volunteer-based survey which provides the most reliable trend data for most landbirds in Canada, started in 1966. Quality of monitoring data for Canadian birds Geographic coverage has improved over 100 time, but coverage in the Boreal and Arctic None remains incomplete due to limited road Low access and few people living in these regions. 80 Medium High

60

of species 40 %

20

Annual aerial waterfowl surveys now cover much of Canada. They began in central 0 Waterfowl Landbirds Shorebirds Waterbirds All birds and western Canada where the largest

(38) (269) (46) (98) (451) Charles M. Francis breeding concentrations of ducks are found. Long-tailed Jaegers, like many other Bird groups (number of species) They expanded to eastern Canada in 1990 Arctic-nesting birds, are not well to help manage Black Ducks and to British Monitoring data for most waterfowl species are medium to high surveyed by existing monitoring Columbia in 2005. The Arctic and northern quality, with the exception of some seaducks, but many shorebirds, programs and little is known of Quebec are also surveyed, but not every year. waterbirds (including marshbirds, inland colonial waterbirds and their population trends. seabirds) and boreal-nesting landbirds remain poorly monitored. Many of the gaps are for species that nest in remote areas and for secretive species that are hard to monitor. The State of Canada’s Birds 33 MONITORING CANADA’S BIRDS How we monitor birds Many monitoring programs rely on the are less formal, year-round programs Knowledge about the state of Canada’s skill and dedication of tens of thousands that encourage birders to record their birds comes from many diff erent of volunteers who contribute their time observations every time they go birding. monitoring programs, refl ecting the and expertise. Programs are available Many programs combine data collection diversity of habitats and behaviours for volunteers with various skill levels, with education and recreation, of birds. from expert birders who can identify thus building public interest in bird every species of breeding bird by sight conservation. or sound, to beginners who only know Other monitoring programs rely on their common backyard birds. Some professional biologists with logistic programs take place in the breeding support and specialized training. season, such as the North American Breeding waterfowl surveys involve Breeding Bird Survey, breeding bird counting birds from the air using atlases, nocturnal owl surveys and fi xed-wing aircraft and helicopters, marsh monitoring surveys. Others usually coordinated with ground monitor birds on migration, such as the crews to estimate the proportion of Canadian Migration Monitoring Network birds detected from the air. Surveys for and shorebird migration surveys, or in colonial seabirds often require boats Gord Belyea Gord winter such as the Christmas Bird Count or aircraft to reach the colonies, and Changes in numbers of Evening Grosbeaks are and Project FeederWatch. Checklist biologists need to deal with many monitored mainly by volunteers participating in programs, such as eBird and Étude hazards including cliff s and polar bears, Christmas Bird Counts and Project FeederWatch. des populations d’oiseaux du Québec, while avoiding disturbing the birds. © Bird Studies Canada Studies © Bird New technologies are being explored Skilled volunteers participating in breeding season to enhance monitoring programs. surveys can identify birds by sight or by their 2.0 Digital photographs and automated songs. computer analyses can be used to count nesting seabirds on cliff s or snow goose 1.5 colonies. Sound recorders can help to illions)

m monitor singing birds in the breeding season. Migrating birds can be tracked 1.0 using radar and recordings of their nocturnal fl ight calls. Such tools may all help improve future monitoring. 0.5 Observations/year (

0.0 Service and Wildlife © U.S. Fish 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010 The Canadian Wildlife Service works with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to conduct aerial Since 1900, when a handful of birders started the fi rst Christmas Bird Count in Canada, the waterfowl surveys in the Arctic and many other number of observations contributed by volunteer bird surveyors to Canada’s bird monitoring regions of Canada. programs has grown exponentially, leading to improved precision and better geographic coverage of bird monitoring programs in Canada. MEASURING THE STATE OF CANADA’S BIRDS

his report presents indicators of the The regions In each region, indicators for subsets of since the fi rst-year when population Tstatus of Canadian bird populations The report presents indicators separately the characteristic species that refl ect the monitoring data existed for most and the ecosystems on which they for eight major physiographic regions most important bird groups or habitats regions—1970. The indicators are depend. in Canada. These regions refl ect major within the region were calculated. Not plotted based on the percentage diff erences across the country in bird all subgroups were displayed in any change, with the scale adjusted so The species habitats, ecosystems and human given region, so some species are only that negative changes are visually Data were included for all native activities that shape the landscape. present in the main indicator (i.e., the comparable to the corresponding species of birds that regularly occur in For each of the regions, only species black line labelled “All birds”). positive change required to return Canada and for which there is suffi cient that were considered “characteristic” the indicator to its original value; information on the status of the of the region were included, based The graphs for example, an indicator that has Canadian population over the past 20 on the species’ regional-density or the These indicators refl ect the average decreased by 50% (i.e., reduced to half or more years. Of the 451 native species amount of the species’ range in the population status of major groups its original level) must then increase by that occur regularly in Canada, there region, relative to the other regions. For of bird species. They were calculated 100% (i.e., double) to return to zero. the Oceans region, all seabird species using regional estimates of each There is always some uncertainty that regularly occur in Canada were species’ population status that refl ect associated with an indicator. Open considered characteristic. the percent change in the population circles are used for the indicator in a year if there is more than a 5% chance that the value of the indicator in that year should be on the other side of the zero line. Averaging across species gives the best overall estimate of the group’s status, but does not necessarily refl ect the May Haga trends for all species in a group equally Horned Grebe well. For example, a stable indicator were suffi cient data for 327 species may refl ect a group in which most or to be included in at least one of our all species have stable trends, or it may national indicators. Other species do refl ect a group with an equal number of not yet have adequate monitoring data, species with large increases and large although some recently developed decreases. For this reason, bar graphs monitoring programs, such as nocturnal are also presented to show the number owl surveys, will provide improved of increasing and decreasing species data in the future. Even among the in each indicator, with separate colours species included, in some cases our for species with population trends in best estimate of their population status each of fi ve categories from strongly is highly imprecise and/or based on decreasing (>50% decline) through a small proportion of the Canadian strongly increasing (>100% increase). population, particularly for species with For further details on methods, see their main breeding areas in the Boreal www.stateofcanadasbirds.org. or Arctic. The State of Canada’s Birds 35 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Acknowledgements NABCI Canada This report was prepared on behalf of the North American The North American Bird NABCI Canada’s goal is to deliver the full Bird Conservation Initiative Canada (NABCI Canada) Conservation Initiative (NABCI) spectrum of bird conservation in Canada, through by a steering committee that included members from was launched in 1999 in regionally-based, biologically-driven, landscape- Environment Canada (EC), Bird Studies Canada (BSC), Canada, the United States and Mexico, to coordinate oriented partnerships. The NABCI Canada Council Nature Canada (NC), the Nature Conservancy of Canada bird conservation throughout the continent. NABCI’s membership is comprised of federal, territorial (NCC), Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC) and Wildlife Habitat vision is that populations and habitats of North and provincial governments, ENGOs (Bird Studies Canada (WHC). America’s birds are protected, restored and enhanced Canada, Ducks Unlimited Canada, Nature Canada, through coordinated efforts at international, national, Nature Conservancy Canada and Wildlife Habitat Steering committee: Charles M. Francis (EC, Chair), regional and local levels, guided by sound science and Canada), private sector organizations (Canadian Peter Blancher (EC), Joel Bonin (NCC), Ted Cheskey (NC), effective management. Cattlemen’s Association, Canadian Electricity Andrew Couturier (BSC), Ian Davidson (NC), Association, Forest Products Association of Canada Constance Downes (EC), George Finney (BSC), NABCI is designed to increase the effectiveness and Mining Association of Canada), representatives

Dave Howerter (DUC), Judith Kennedy (EC), CourtGordon of existing and new programs, foster greater from Canada’s Habitat Joint Ventures (Eastern, Denis Lepage (BSC), Julie Suzanne Pollock (EC), international cooperation and enhance coordination Prairie, Canadian Intermountain and Pacific Coast) Courtney Price (EC), Barbara Robinson (BSC), Snowy Owl within countries, among governments, environmental and Canada’s four bird initiatives (Canadian Adam C. Smith (EC), Chris Sutton (NC) and non-governmental organizations (ENGOs) and Shorebird Conservation Plan, Partners in Flight, Len Ugarenko (WHC) private sector organizations. NABCI functions North American Waterfowl Management Plan Communications: Jane Gilbert, Duncan Morrison, both through in-country implementation and by and Wings Over Water). Julie Suzanne Pollock, Courtney Price, Barbara Robinson, tri-national cooperation to deliver comprehensive bird Chris Sutton, Max Valence conservation in North America. Statistical analysis: Adam C. Smith, Peter Blancher Maps: Andrew Couturier, Sandra Marquez, Eva Jenkins, Adam C. Smith Editors: Adam C. Smith, Charles M. Francis Layout and design: Denise Séguin Website: Denis Lepage, Catherine Jardine We thank the numerous individuals within all of the NABCI Canada partner organizations who contributed text or reviewed various drafts of the report. Special thanks to the following individuals who worked with the steering committee to prepare initial drafts for various sections of the report: David Bird, Mike Cadman, Brenda Dale, Erica Dunn, Christian Friis, Tony Gaston, Vicky Johnston, Craig Machtans, Nancy Mahoney, Jon McCracken and Becky Whittam. We are particularly grateful to all of the photographers and organizations, as individually credited on each photograph, who generously donated their images for use in this report. This report would not have been possible without the dedication and skill of the thousands of volunteer observers who are the backbone of many monitoring programs, such as the North American Breeding Bird Survey, shorebird migration surveys, and the Christmas Bird Count. Similarly indispensable were the many professional biologists and technicians from across Canada and internationally who designed and helped to conduct and report on all the diverse programs monitoring Canada’s birds. www.stateofcanadasbirds.org