An uncommon bird that breeds in the central and western Arctic, knowledge of the trends and possible threats to the Yellow-billed Loon is limited. The status of this species' population in Canada relative to 1970 is unclear; it is therefore considered to be data deficient. The Yellow-billed Loon was assessed by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) in 1997, at which time it was considered Not at Risk. This species has been identified as a priority for conservation and/or stewardship in one or more Bird Conservation Region Strategies in Canada.
Given its remote breeding range and relatively low abundance, little is known about potential threats to the Yellow-billed Loon. Nesting and brood-rearing habitat may be limited in some years by changes in water level or other environmental fluctuations, and by competition with other loons (e.g., Pacific Loon; North 1994). Mercury contamination may be a concern for Yellow-billed Loons; some birds overwinter in marine waters close to Asia which may expose them to higher mercury levels (Evers et al. 2014). Direct human impacts on breeders are likely negligible, but the risks posed to birds wintering offshore by oil spills, other forms of pollution, or mortality from entanglement in commercial fishing nets remain uncertain (North 1994).
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.
