State of Canada's Birds 2012

7/31/2019 State of Canada's Birds 2012

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THE STATE OFCANADASBIRDS2012


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The State o Canadas Birds26BI RD S O F CO NSER V ATI O N CO NCERN


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some shrub and open-nesting specieshas also declined. However, or otherspecies there have been no obviouschanges in breeding habitat. Furtherresearch is urgently needed to identiy

the causes o these declines so thatappropriate conservation action can betaken to reverse them.

Where have all the swallowsgone?

Aerial insectivores are birds thatspecialize in a diet o ying insects.Populations o these birds have

decreased more than any other groupin Canada. Twenty-two o the 26 speciesthat breed in Canada are declining,with swits, swallows and nightjarsCommon Nighthawk and Eastern Whip-poor-willshowing the most alarmingchanges.

We dont yet know why aerial

insectivores are showing such steepdeclines. These birds depend entirelyon ying insects or ood and anydecrease in ying insects rom pesticidesor other contaminantsin Canada,along migration routes or in theirwintering groundscould have a largeimpact on survival. Even a minor shit inthe seasonal timing o insect emergence

due to climate change, could result in

85

80

70

6050

33

20

0

+25

+50

+100

1970 1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010

FlycatchersSwallows,Swits andNightjars

Indicators o the average population status o two groups

o aerial insectivores

Number of increasing and decreasing species

in each indicator

Decreasingspecie

s

Increasingspecies

Swallows, Swits and Nightjars

Flycatchers10

5

0

5

10

Percentcha

ngesince1970

Strong increaseIncreaseLittle changeDecreaseStrong decrease

CharlesM.Francis

Cli Swallows have declined as have many otherswallow species. Most colonies are now ound onhuman structures such as buildings and bridges,and need to be protected.

NickSaunders

Olive-sided Flycatchers breed around wetlandsacross the Boreal orest. Their populationshave declined dramatically and they are nowdesignated as Threatened, though the causeso their decline are not understood.

mismatched seasonal cycles o birds andtheir insect prey that could be disastrousor species with no alternative oodsource. For some aerial insectivores, suchas Chimney Swit and Barn Swallow,human-made nesting sites are no longeras widely available (e.g., open chimneys

and wooden barns), and habitat or

HarveySchmidt

Changes in ying insect populations are poorlyunderstood but may be partly responsible ordeclines in aerial insectivores.


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The State o Canadas Birds 31C O N S E R V I N G C A N A D A S B I R D S


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What can one person do?

Never doubt that a small group ofthoughtful, committed citizens can

change the world. Indeed, it is the only

thing that ever has. (Margaret Mead)

The actions o society are determinedby the actions o individuals. Thechoices we make and the activities weundertake collectively make a dierenceto birds. There are many things that wecan do as individuals to improve theenvironment or birds and people.

Some choices beneft bird populations

directly, such as keeping cats indoorsand choosing products that supportbird-riendly agricultural, fsheriesand orestry practicesshade-grown

coee, range-ed meat, sustainableseaood and fsh and sustainableorestry products. Reducing our resourceconsumption, increasing recycling,taking public transport or bicycling

to work and driving uel e cient carsall lead to environmental benefts,including reduced greenhouse gasemissions, that ultimately beneft birds.

We can help birds even more bysupporting bird-riendly policies.Learn about the environmental policieso each level o government andhow they will aect birds. Share your

views with others through letters tonewspapers, community meetingsand social media.

tr -

CatherineJardine

Engaging children in Citizen Science programs, such as eBird, the Christmas Bird Count and Project FeederWatch, provides an opportunityor them to have un outdoors, contribute to a valuable scientifc program and learn to appreciate the environment.

Scarlet Tanager

CharlesM.Francis

You can also contribute to birdconservation by supporting your localnaturalist groups and other conservationorganizations. You can learn more aboutbirds and other wildlie by participatingin their meetings or organizing feld tripswith other interested people. Workingwith children is especially rewarding,by teaching them to experience andappreciate the natural world, and

support conservation in the uture.Learning more about birds also opensthe opportunity to join the rapidlygrowing numbers o Citizen Scientistswho participate in bird surveys. Iyou enjoy identiying birds, thereare opportunities or everybody,rom beginners to experts.

PeterWard

There are many opportunities or volunteers oall ages and with a variety o skills to help withbird conservation projects, such as repairing nestboxes in a conservation area.


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State of Canada's Birds 2012