Willow Flycatcher
(Empidonax traillii)

Summary

Picture of bird
© John Reaume
For additional photos and vocalizations, visit Dendroica. (Link opens in a new window.)

The Canadian breeding range of the Willow Flycatcher stretches from coastal British Columbia across to Nova Scotia, with centres of abundance in southern British Columbia and southern Ontario. The Willow Flycatcher was recognised as a separate species in 1973 when it was taxonomically separated from the Alder Flycatcher. In Canada, Breeding Bird Survey data suggest that the population decreased by 53% since about 1970. This species has been identified as a priority for conservation and/or stewardship in one or more Bird Conservation Region Strategies in Canada.

Designations

Listing of the main designations for the species
DesignationStatusDateSubspecies, population
IUCN (Global)Least Concern2012 
Partners in Flight (North America)Watch List Species2012 
Wild Species (Canada)Secure2010 
Bird Conservation Region StrategyPriority Species2013 

Population status

Geographic areaStatusReliability
CanadaLarge DecreaseMedium
 

Population estimate

Canada500,000 to 5,000,000 adults
 

Distribution maps

 

Migration strategy, occurrence

Long-distance migrant

Responsibility for conservation of world population

CanadaModerate

Conservation and management

The Willow Flycatcher has been well studied due to its similarity to the Alder Flycatcher and resulting taxonomic complexity, and, more recently, because of the Endangered status of the southwestern subspecies extimus in the United States. An apparent decline on the wintering grounds in Mexico has been reported, perhaps a result of loss of rainforest (Sedgwick 2000). Causes of declines on the breeding grounds are most likely related to habitat degradation and loss through alteration of habitat by cattle (e.g., soil compaction and grazing of willow; Sedgwick 2000) and through drainage or development of the moist habitats this species prefers.

 

Bird conservation region strategies

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:

  • conservation concerns (i.e., species vulnerable due to population size, distribution, population trend, abundance, or threats)
  • stewardship responsibilities (i.e., species that typify the regional avifauna or have a large proportion of their range or population in the sub-region)
  • management concerns (i.e., species that require ongoing management because of their socio-economic importance as game species, or because of their impacts on other species or habitats)
  • other concerns (i.e., species deemed a priority by regional experts for other reasons than those listed above or because they are listed as species at risk or concern at the provincial level)

Select any of the sub-regions below to view the BCR strategy for additional details.

BCRs, marine biogeographic units, and sub-regions in which the species is listed as a priority
RegionSub-region and priority type
Great BasinGreat Basin, sub-region and priority type: Pacific and Yukon Region
Northern Pacific RainforestNorthern Pacific Rainforest, sub-region and priority type: Pacific and Yukon Region
Northern RockiesNorthern Rockies, sub-region and priority type: Pacific and Yukon Region
Prairie PotholesPrairie Potholes, sub-region and priority type: Prairie and Northern Region
 

References