Population status

Northern Saw-whet Owl
(Aegolius acadicus)

The Northern Saw-whet Owl is not well monitored in Canada. Christmas Bird Count (CBC) results for North America suggest a large increase in the continental population, although these include birds breeding in the United States and Canada, so it is difficult to determine the status of the Canadian population. Furthermore, search effort for owls during the CBC has varied widely from one year to the next, decreasing the reliability of these data. Nocturnal owl surveys carried out across the country vary in temporal (the earliest starting in Ontario in 1995) and geographic coverage. Results fluctuate widely but suggest an increase or little overall change in population in most regions except Prince Edward Island and central Ontario. Considering all available results, the Northern Saw-whet Owl population in Canada is thought to have at least not decreased and may have shown a moderate increase relative to 1970. However, for reasons stated above, the reliability of this assessment is considered low. 

 

Ontario Nocturnal Owl Monitoring Program

Additional information on: Ontario Nocturnal Owl Monitoring Program

Table 1: Population trends by geographic area
Geographic areaTime PeriodAnnual trend Table 1 - footnote 1   Table 1 - footnote 2 Limits
LowerUpper
Northern Ontario Select to view graph of the geographic area: Northern Ontario 1995-2013; Ontario Nocturnal Owl Monitoring Program1995-20130.7-0.72.3
Central Ontario Select to view graph of the geographic area: Central Ontario 1995-2013; Ontario Nocturnal Owl Monitoring Program1995-2013-6.7-8.3-5.1
 

Atlantic Canada Nocturnal Owl Survey

Additional information on: Atlantic Canada Nocturnal Owl Survey

Assessment date: 2012

Table 2: Population trends by geographic area
Geographic areaTime PeriodMean abundanceStandard error
LowerUpper
New Brunswick Select to view graph of the geographic area: New Brunswick 2001-2012; Atlantic Canada Nocturnal Owl Survey2001-20122.2-0.14.5
Nova Scotia Select to view graph of the geographic area: Nova Scotia 2002-2012; Atlantic Canada Nocturnal Owl Survey2002-20125.42.38.5
Prince Edward Island Select to view graph of the geographic area: Prince Edward Island 2001-2012; Atlantic Canada Nocturnal Owl Survey2001-2012-2.2-5.61.2
 

Picture of logo Christmas Bird Count (CBC)

Additional information on: Christmas Bird Count (CBC)

Table 3: Population trends by geographic area
Geographic areaTime PeriodAnnual trend Table 3 - footnote 1 Limits
LowerUpper
North America1965-20123.61.55.1
 

Quebec Nocturnal Owl Monitoring Program

Additional information on: Quebec Nocturnal Owl Monitoring Program

Table 4: Population trends by geographic area
Geographic areaTime PeriodAnnual trend Table 4 - footnote 1 Limits
LowerUpper
Quebec Select to view graph of the geographic area: Quebec 2008-2013; Quebec Nocturnal Owl Monitoring Program2008-2013   
 

References