Canadian Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada reassesses the status of bird species

[Laura Bies]

This news and analysis are provided by the Ornithological Council, a consortium supported by ornithological societies. Join or renew your membership in your ornithological society if you value the services these societies provide to you, including OrnithologyExchange and the Ornithological Council.

Late last year, the Canadian Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada reassessed the status of five bird species that are protected under the Canadian Species at Risk Act. Regular review of all species listed under SARA is required by law. Currently, there are over 60 birds species protected by the Act. 

Last year’s assessment of SARA-protected species included five birds species living in the prairie habitats of the Great Plains and Great Basin. Two were previously extirpated from Canada, and remain so after this assessment: the phaios subspecies of the Greater Sage-Grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) and the Greater Prairie-Chicken (Tympanuchus cupido pinnatus). The urophasianus subspecies of the Greater Sage-Grouse, the Sage Thrasher (Oreoscoptes montanus), and the Mountain Plover (Charadrius montanus) remain endangered. The Sage-Grouse population increased slightly since 2012, while the Sage Thrasher population remains small and stable. The Mountain Plover has not been observed in Canada since 2012. 

Learn more from Birds Canada’s recent press release or read the COSEWIC’s assessment here. 

About the Ornithological Council

The Ornithological Council is a consortium of scientific societies of ornithologists; these societies span the Western Hemisphere and the research conducted by their members spans the globe. Their cumulative expertise comprises the knowledge that is fundamental and essential to science-based bird conservation and management. The Ornithological Council is financially supported by our member societies and the individual ornithologists who value our work. If the OC’s resources are valuable to you, please consider joining one of our member societies or donating directly at Birdnet.org. Thank you for your support!