The Northern Harrier is widely distributed across Canada and nests on the ground in densely vegetated wetlands or grasslands. The species is well monitored by the Breeding Bird Survey (BBS). BBS results indicate a widespread, moderate decrease in population since about 1970. The species is susceptible to pesticide exposure and has also suffered as a result of extensive drainage of wetlands. This species has been identified as a priority for conservation and/or stewardship in one or more Bird Conservation Region Strategies in Canada.
Like many birds of prey, Northern Harriers suffered reproductive failure and population decline in the mid-twentieth century as a result of organochlorine pesticide application (Smith et al. 2011). Currently, habitat loss and degradation are major threats to the species' conservation: loss of freshwater and estuarine wetlands, loss of open prairie habitat, and agricultural intensification are thought to reduce prey availability and the availability of safe, suitable nesting habitat (Smith et al. 2011). The effects of climate change (e.g., warmer, drier conditions) could potentially also result in changes in the spatial and temporal availability of wetland habitat across the species' breeding range (e.g., Thompson et al. 2017). Northern Harriers can exhibit nomadic behaviour as they search for suitable nesting and foraging habitat.
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.
