The Canadian breeding range of the Willow Flycatcher stretches from coastal British Columbia across to Nova Scotia, with centres of abundance in southern British Columbia and southern Ontario. The Willow Flycatcher was recognised as a separate species in 1973, when it was taxonomically separated from the Alder Flycatcher. In Canada, Breeding Bird Survey data indicate a 48% decrease in abundance of Willow Flycatchers since the early 1970s. There are conservation concerns on both the breeding and wintering grounds, as well as during migration. This species has been identified as a priority for conservation and/or stewardship in one or more Bird Conservation Region Strategies in Canada.
The Willow Flycatcher has been well studied due to its similarity to the Alder Flycatcher and resulting taxonomic complexity, and, more recently, because of the Endangered status of the southwestern subspecies extimus in the United States. An apparent decline on the wintering grounds in Mexico has been reported, perhaps a result of loss of rain-forest (Sedgwick 2000). Mortality rate during migration was found to be the highest of the species' annual cycle (i.e. migration, wintering, breeding, Giermakowski et al. 2016). Causes of declines on the breeding grounds are most likely related to habitat degradation and loss through alteration of habitat by cattle (e.g., soil compaction and grazing of willow; Sedgwick 2000) and through drainage or development of the moist habitats this species prefers.
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.
