The Wilson's Phalarope is found primarily in western Canada, with isolated breeding records from eastern Canada including Ontario and New Brunswick. The species prefers wetland habitats throughout its range. Results from the Breeding Bird Survey indicate that the population in Canada has increased relative to about 1970. Wilson's Phalaropes are threatened by habitat loss during the breeding season, as well as diversion of water from key staging areas in the western United States. This species has been identified as a priority for conservation and/or stewardship in one or more Bird Conservation Region Strategies in Canada.
Wilson's Phalaropes breed primarily in prairie wetlands (Colwell and Jehl 1994), habitats that continue to be lost and degraded due to residential development and agricultural intensification. The use of agrochemicals throughout the range further impact the species (Lesterhuis and Clay 2010). Diversion and use of water has altered the ecology of the hypersaline lakes in the western United States upon which a majority of Wilson's Phalaropes depend. These habitats are critical staging areas for migrating phalaropes en route to their South American wintering areas (Jehl 1994, Colwell and Jehl 1994). Other threats facing the species include habitat changes as a result of climate change, and unregulated mining on the Andean wintering grounds (Lesterhuis and Clay 2010).
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.