The Chestnut-backed Chickadee is a common bird of the moist coniferous forests of British Columbia. The species is best monitored in Canada by the Breeding Bird Survey, which suggests a 44% decrease in numbers since 1970. This species has been identified as a priority for conservation and/or stewardship in one or more Bird Conservation Region Strategies in Canada.
The influence of forestry practices on the Chestnut-backed Chickadee is not clear. However, large-scale clear-cut logging is thought to be detrimental, at least in the short-term. Like other brown-headed chickadees, this species may be declining due to loss and degradation of mature conifer and mixed forests, which can affect nest sites during breeding and food availability during nesting and wintering (Mahon et al. 2007). Forest practices that retain snags would be beneficial (Dahlsten et al. 2002).
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.