One of the classic spruce budworm specialists of the boreal forest, populations of Cape May Warbler fluctuate with changes in spruce budworm abundance. However, results from the Breeding Bird Survey suggest a 74% increase in abundance relative to 1970, most of which has occurred in recent years. Cape May Warblers were likely more common in the 20th century than they were historically, due to the increased frequency of budworm outbreaks at that time (Baltz and Latta 1998). Currently, there appear to be few major conservation threats. With an estimated 98% of the global breeding population, Canada's responsibility for the species is very high. This species has been identified as a priority for conservation and/or stewardship in one or more Bird Conservation Region Strategies in Canada.
With an increasing population, there are no major conservation concerns for this species. Changes in forest age structure through forestry operations and the control of insect outbreaks may adversely affect Cape May Warbler populations (Baltz and Latta 1998; see also Venier et al. 2009). Although the species' wintering range is relatively small and restricted to the West Indies, its flexible use of settled areas and urban gardens bodes well for its long-term security there (Baltz and Latta 1998).
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.
