The Brewer's Blackbird is an adaptable species inhabiting a wide range of human-modified and natural open habitats from central Ontario to the west coast. Although far more common today than pre-European settlement, results from the Breeding Bird Survey show that populations have decreased substantially and are now over 70% lower than they were in 1970. Reasons for the decrease are not well understood.
Originally a bird of the west, the species has followed corridors of roads, railways and forest clearings eastward as far as central Ontario (Martin 2002, Dunn and Gordon 2007). Although not known as a cropland pest, it is sometimes a victim of control programs due to its habit of flocking with other target members of the blackbird family (Martin 2002). Competition with the Common Grackle has had varying effects on populations (Martin 2002). Agricultural intensification and urbanization in the last 30 years and reversion of open habitat to forest in the eastern portion of the blackbird's range may all play a role in the population decrease.
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.
