Most Marbled Godwits breed in prairie grasslands, but a very small number breed on the James Bay coast (and a few in Alaska). The species was once more widespread and abundant, but decreased dramatically during the early 1900s. The Breeding Bird Survey suggests that the Canadian prairie population has decreased relative to 1970. There is no trend information available for the small population of more northerly breeders. Loss and degradation of grassland habitats may have contributed to historic declines and remain the largest threats to the species. This species has been identified as a priority for conservation and/or stewardship in one or more Bird Conservation Region Strategies in Canada.
Market hunting at the turn of the century, followed by loss and degradation of grassland habitats, reduced both the population size and range of Marbled Godwits (Senner and Howe 1984). Degradation and loss of both grasslands for breeding and coastal habitats for staging during migration remain the largest current threats to the species (Gratto-Trevor 2000).
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.
