The Osprey is a widespread species in Canada, hunting for fish in shallow waters across many different habitat types. The Breeding Bird Survey indicates that the national population has increased since 1970. This increase is thought to be largely a result of the reduction of toxic contaminants and the proliferation of artificial nest structures that the Osprey readily accepts as a nest platform (Bierregaard et al. 2016). This species has been identified as a priority for conservation and/or stewardship in one or more Bird Conservation Region Strategies in Canada.
The species was historically affected by shooting (Bierregaard et al. 2016). Some shooting still exists for overwintering Osprey attracted to aquaculture facilities in South America (Bierregaard et al. 2016). Persistent organochlorine pesticides were implicated in severe and widespread declines of the species during the 1950s to the 1970s. Reduction of these pesticides has likely been responsible for the striking increase in the population since then (Bierregaard et al. 2016). However, contamination of polybrominated biphenyl ether has become widespread in Osprey; the impacts of this contaminant on reproduction are currently unknown (Bierregaard et al. 2016). Other factors influencing the species' abundance are its ability to adapt to man-made structures such as utility poles, channel markers, and artificial nest platforms (Bierregaard et al. 2016, Ewins 1996).
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.
