Western Wood-Pewee
(Contopus sordidulus)

Summary

Picture of bird
© Christian Artuso
For additional photos and vocalizations, visit Dendroica. (Link opens in a new window.)

The breeding range of the Western Wood-Pewee in Canada extends from the Yukon to south-central Manitoba. Canadian Breeding Bird Survey data show a large decrease in numbers since 1973, a trend also seen throughout the species' continental range. Habitat loss and degradation throughout the species' range may be a factor in the declines (Bemis and Rising 1999). This species has been identified as a priority for conservation and/or stewardship in one or more Bird Conservation Region Strategies in Canada.

Designations

Main designations for the species
DesignationStatusDateSubspecies, population
IUCN (Global)Least concern2018 
Wild Species (Canada)Secure2015 
Bird Conservation Region StrategyPriority Species2013 

Population status

Geographic area or populationPopulation change relative to ~1970ReliabilityStatus in relation to goal
CanadaLarge DecreaseMediumBelow Acceptable Level
 

Population estimate

Geographic area or populationPopulation estimate
Canada1,000,000 - 5,000,000 adults
 

Distribution maps

 

Migration strategy, occurrence

Long-distance migrant

Responsibility for conservation

Geographic areaResponsibility based on % of global population
CanadaModerate

General nesting period in Canada

Nesting period starts between late May and mid-June and ends between early August and mid-August, depending on the region. Before or after this period, the probability of an active nest is lower.
 

Conservation and management

Habitat loss and degradation on both the wintering and the breeding grounds through urbanization, forestry, grazing and other agricultural activities have been suggested as possible factors (Bemis and Rising 1999) for the declines in this species. Like many other long-distance migrants that forage on flying insects, the Western Wood-Pewee has experienced widespread declines, the causes of which are not fully understood (Smith et al. 2015, Nebel et al. 2010).

 

Bird conservation region strategies

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:

  • conservation concerns (i.e., species vulnerable due to population size, distribution, population trend, abundance, or threats)
  • stewardship responsibilities (i.e., species that typify the regional avifauna or have a large proportion of their range or population in the sub-region)
  • management concerns (i.e., species that require ongoing management because of their socio-economic importance as game species, or because of their impacts on other species or habitats)
  • other concerns (i.e., species deemed a priority by regional experts for other reasons than those listed above or because they are listed as species at risk or concern at the provincial level)

Select any of the sub-regions below to view the BCR strategy for additional details.

BCRs, marine biogeographic units, and sub-regions in which the species is listed as a priority
RegionSub-region and priority type
Boreal Taiga PlainsBoreal Taiga Plains, sub-region and priority type: Prairie and Northern -- Other
Northern Pacific RainforestNorthern Pacific Rainforest, sub-region and priority type: Pacific and Yukon -- Conservation
 

References