Population status

American Robin
(Turdus migratorius)

The Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) is the most reliable source of data for the American Robin and indicates a stable population relative to about 1970, both at the national and continental level. Though the BBS does not provide good coverage of the species' large northern range, the various provincial breeding bird atlases provide information for that area. The recent Maritimes atlas (Whittam 2015) suggests little change in the probability of observations, while preliminary results from the Atlas of the Breeding Birds of Quebec 2017 suggest an increase in observations between the two atlas periods, though this may be due to increased effort in the second atlas. The British Columbia atlas suggests no change in distribution (Starzomski 2015). The second Atlas of the Breeding Birds of Ontario (see table below) suggests a large increase in detections between the two atlas periods. Considering all information, the American Robin is best assessed as having shown little overall change in population since the 1970s. The American Robin is at an acceptable level relative to its national population goal (see Canada graph below).

 

Population goal and acceptable levels of variation

Species/groupGoalLower levelUpper level
American RobinMean abundance (first 5 years of survey)Goal minus 25% Not applicable

Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) - Canadian analysis

Additional information on: Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) - Canadian analysis

Table 1: Population trends by geographic area
Geographic areaTime Period Table 1 - footnote 1 Annual trend Table 1 - footnote 2 Limits
LowerUpper
Canada Select to view graph of the geographic area: Canada 1970-2016; Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) - Canadian analysis1970-20160-0.20.1
Northern Pacific Rainforest Select to view graph of the geographic area: Northern Pacific Rainforest 1970-2016; Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) - Canadian analysis1970-2016-0.6-1-0.3
Boreal Taiga Plains Select to view graph of the geographic area: Boreal Taiga Plains 1970-2016; Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) - Canadian analysis1970-20160.501
Great Basin Select to view graph of the geographic area: Great Basin 1970-2016; Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) - Canadian analysis1970-2016-0.2-0.60.2
Northern Rockies Select to view graph of the geographic area: Northern Rockies 1970-2016; Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) - Canadian analysis1970-20160.1-0.20.5
Prairie Potholes Select to view graph of the geographic area: Prairie Potholes 1970-2016; Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) - Canadian analysis1970-20162.72.33.1
Boreal Hardwood Transition Select to view graph of the geographic area: Boreal Hardwood Transition 1970-2016; Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) - Canadian analysis1970-2016-0.6-0.9-0.3
Lower Great Lakes / St. Lawrence Plain Select to view graph of the geographic area: Lower Great Lakes / St. Lawrence Plain 1970-2016; Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) - Canadian analysis1970-20160.30.10.5
Atlantic Northern Forest Select to view graph of the geographic area: Atlantic Northern Forest 1970-2016; Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) - Canadian analysis1970-2016-0.5-0.7-0.3
North America Select to view graph of the geographic area: North America 1970-2016; Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) - Canadian analysis1970-20160.20.10.3
 

Atlas of the Breeding Birds of Ontario

Additional information on: Atlas of the Breeding Birds of Ontario

Table 2: Population trends by geographic area
Geographic areaTime PeriodAnnual trend (%) Table 2 - footnote 1 Limits
LowerUpper
Ontario1981/85 - 2001/051.2-0.21.8
 

References