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The McCown's Longspur breeds in dry grasslands in the southern prairie provinces. Breeding Bird Survey data indicate a steep, long-term decrease in the Canadian population, with about 98% of the population lost since about 1970. Significant declines have also occurred in the continental population but are less steep. In 2006, the Committee on the Status of Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) assessed the species as Special Concern based on the steep decline, which is mainly due to habitat loss and degradation (COSEWIC 2006a) in the southern prairies. This species has been identified as a priority for conservation and/or stewardship in one or more Bird Conservation Region Strategies in Canada.
The primary cause of declining population is thought to be the loss and degradation of habitat resulting from conversion of native grasslands to agriculture (With 1994, Environment Canada 2014). McCown's Longspurs prefer very dry, short grassland and can usually tolerate heavy grazing pressure (With 1994). They also use croplands but the species uses conventional till and spring-planted crops more than minimum-till and fall-sown crops. Birds that breed in minimum-till crops may have higher productivity (Martin and Forsyth 2003). However, there is growing recognition that habitat loss on the wintering grounds, especially in Northern Mexico, may have contributed to declines in recent years (Pool et al. 2013). A proposed management plan for McCown's Longspur is now available (Environment Canada 2014). For information on the legal status of this species under the Species at Risk Act (SARA) and to view available recovery documents, see the SARA Registry.
Environment and Climate Change Canada and partners have developed Bird Conservation Region Strategies in each of Canada’s Bird Conservation Regions (BCRs). In these strategies, selected species are identified as priorities for one or more of the following reasons:
Select any of the sub-regions below to view the BCR strategy for additional details.