Despite having declined by over 90% since the early 1970s, the colonial-nesting Bank Swallow is still fairly common and widespread species in Canada. Results from the Breeding Bird Survey demonstrate the persistent decrease in numbers, likely due to a combination of factors, including loss of breeding and foraging habitat, destruction of active nests and changes in aerial insect populations. The Bank Swallow was assessed as Threatened in 2013 by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC 2013) and was listed as such under the Species at Risk Act in 2017. This species has been identified as a priority for conservation and/or stewardship in one or more Bird Conservation Region Strategies in Canada.
Bank Swallow declines are probably due to a combination of factors including loss of breeding and foraging habitat through human management of aquatic habitat, loss of pasture land and reforestation of open habitats, destruction of active nests in aggregate pits, and changes in aerial insect populations on both the breeding and wintering grounds (COSEWIC 2013). The Bank Swallow is one of several species of aerial-foraging insectivores showing widespread declines in Canada. Little is known of the threats facing the species during migration and in its wintering range, more research in this area may help understand the species' decline (COSEWIC 2013). For information on the legal status of this species under the Species at Risk Act (SARA) see the SARA Registry.
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.