The breeding range of the Yellow-bellied Flycatcher stretches from Yukon Territory across the boreal forest to Newfoundland, with centres of abundance in eastern Canada. Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) data show a large increase in the population of Yellow-bellied Flycatchers in Canada since the early 1970s. However, the northernmost portions of this boreal flycatcher's range are not well covered by the BBS. With more than 80% of the global breeding population, Canada's responsibility for the Yellow-bellied Flycatcher is very high. This species has been identified as a priority for conservation and/or stewardship in one or more Bird Conservation Region Strategies in Canada.
An aerial-foraging insectivore, the Yellow-bellied Flycatcher is faring better than most other birds in this guild, many of which are showing widespread declines in Canada (Nebel et al. 2010, Smith et al. 2015). The reason why this species appears to be increasing when others in the group are not is unclear, but may be due to a long-term rebound effect from regeneration of previously logged areas (Gross and Lowther 2011). However, the Yellow-bellied Flycatcher's wintering grounds in Mexico have been negatively affected by the loss of rainforest (Gross and Lowther 2011).
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.