The Blackburnian Warbler breeds in coniferous and mixed woodland from central Alberta and Manitoba to Newfoundland. Results of the Breeding Bird Survey indicate there has been a long-term increase in its population since about 1970. There has been past concern for loss of wintering habitat in northern South America. Currently, there are few known threats on the breeding grounds. This species has been identified as a priority for conservation and/or stewardship in one or more Bird Conservation Region Strategies in Canada.
The increase in the population of Blackburnian Warbler has eased concern over the impact of the loss of tropical wintering habitat for this species (Diamond 1991, Terborgh 1989). Population decreases in some parts of its breeding range are probably a result of the decline of the spruce budworm, a major food source that is likely to resurge again soon (Royama et al. 2005). However, this species is not known to be a budworm specialist (Morse 2004) and population increases are not expected to be dramatic in response to budworm outbreaks. Several potential factors have been raised as conservation concerns for this species (Morse 2004): logging rotations will decrease the age of coniferous forests to below optimal levels for this species; habitat fragmentation, to which the species is sensitive; deforestation on the wintering grounds; and a relatively restricted wintering range, which is unlikely to be able to withstand widespread changes.
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.
