The small Hooded Warbler population in Canada breeds in thickly under-storied, mature hardwood forests in southern Ontario. The Atlas of the Breeding Birds of Ontario indicates a large increase in occurrence in Ontario between 1981/85 and 2001/05. In 2012, the species was re-assessed by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada and down-listed from Threatened to Not At Risk based on substantial range and population increases (COSEWIC 2012c). The Hooded Warbler was removed from the Species at Risk Act in 2017. This species has been identified as a priority for conservation and/or stewardship in one or more Bird Conservation Region Strategies in Canada.
Though still uncommon, the Hooded Warbler appears to be increasing in its Canadian range in southern Ontario. The reasons for the increase are not clear, but may be related to the regrowth of forest occurring in much of eastern North America or to changing climatic conditions (COSEWIC 2012c). Because the Hooded Warbler prefers nesting in small, densely vegetated clearings located within large stands of close-canopied forest, conservation of extensive tracts of mature, sustainably managed hardwood forest is critical for the continued occurrence of the species, as well as many others in Canada (COSEWIC 2012c, Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources 2011).
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.
