The American Wigeon’s breeding range is centered in western Canada, with high breeding densities in the Canadian Prairies. After major declines in the 1980s, resulting in part from prolonged periods of drought, habitat conditions improved in the 1990s, helping the species to recover and even expand eastward. Although populations trends are increasing throughout most of its range, most recent data show a declining population trend in the Canadian Prairies (CWS Waterfowl Committee 2017). The Canadian harvest of this species has remained stable since the 1980s. This species has been identified as a priority for conservation and/or stewardship in one or more Bird Conservation Region Strategies in Canada.
Wetland abundance in the Prairies is a determining factor in the success of breeding populations of American Wigeon in western and central portions of the continent (Mini et al. 2014). The continental population declined in the 1980s due to prolonged drought in the Prairies. In the 1990s, however, habitat conditions in western North America improved and the species’ breeding range exhibited an eastward expansion. These two factors have allowed the continental population of the American Wigeon to partially recover in recent years. In the Canadian Prairies, the expansion of agriculture has significantly reduced the habitat for many waterfowl species, while in the United States, the loss and degradation of habitat on staging and wintering areas represent a serious problem for the American Wigeon (Mini et al. 2014).
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.