In Canada, the Henslow's Sparrow breeds in very small numbers in grassland habitats in southern Ontario and Quebec. Long-term population data are scarce, but the Atlas of the Breeding Birds of Ontario detected a large decrease in occurrence between 1981-1985 and 2001-2005, and the species is now found only at a few sites in Canada. Because of its small population and threats to its habitat, Henslow's Sparrow was assessed as Endangered by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) in 1993 and was last re-assessed as such in 2011 COSEWIC 2011d). It was listed as Endangered under the Species at Risk Act in 2003. This species has been identified as a priority for conservation and/or stewardship in one or more Bird Conservation Region Strategies in Canada.
The main threat to the Henslow's Sparrow is the loss and degradation of moist, grassy habitats, both on its breeding and wintering ranges (Herkert et al. 2002, Tuininga 2007, COSEWIC 2011d). Due to changing agricultural practices, conversion of grassy habitats to row crops and urban sprawl, there is less suitable habitat. This species, and other grassland birds of conservation priority, have been shown to use habitat patches surrounded by urban landcover, suggesting that preservation of grassland habitat in developed landscapes may contribute to other conservation efforts (Buxton and Benson 2016). For information on the legal status of this species under the Species at Risk Act (SARA) and to view the Recovery Strategy see the SARA Registry.
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.