The small population of Louisiana Waterthrush in Canada breeds along pristine woodland streams in southern Ontario and possibly Quebec, the northern limit of its breeding range. The Atlas of the Breeding Birds of Ontario, combined with recent targeted surveys, suggest that the species' occurrence within the province has changed little overall during the period covered by these programs. The Louisiana Waterthrush was listed under the Species at Risk Act in 2007. In 2015, the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada recommended the status be up-listed to Threatened (COSEWIC 2015a) based on the small Canadian population size and concerns over threats to its habitat in the United States. Immigration of individuals from the United States is thought to be important to maintaining the Canadian population (COSEWIC 2015a). This species has been identified as a priority for conservation and/or stewardship in one or more Bird Conservation Region Strategies in Canada.
Habitat degradation, deforestation, and increasing stream turbidity may negatively impact the species on both its wintering and breeding grounds (COSEWIC 2015a). Residential developments in suburban areas have also contributed to declines in Ontario (COSEWIC 2015a). Hemlock is an important habitat component in Ontario, and ongoing impacts from infestations of the invasive, introduced insect, Hemlock Woolly adelgid, may adversely affect this species (Mattsson et al. 2009). The Canadian Wildlife Service has been conducting targeted surveys to more accurately determine the distribution and abundance of the species in Ontario. Recent evidence suggests that this species may be an excellent bio-indicator of stream ecosystem health (COSEWIC 2015a). For information on the legal status of this species under the Species at Risk Act (SARA) and to view available recovery documents, 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.