The Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) provides the best monitoring data available for this resident species. BBS results show some annual variation, but suggest a long-term decrease in abundance both throughout the species' Canadian range and at the continental level. Results vary between stable and decreasing in the only two Bird Conservation Regions (BCRs; Northern Rockies and Northern Pacific Rainforest BCRs, respectively) for which there are reasonably reliable results (displayed below). The Christmas Bird Count (CBC) also provides information on the species, but sample sizes are low (<90 circles) and the size of winter range is relatively small (see Soykan et al. 2016). Relying on the BBS results, the Chestnut-backed Chickadee is best assessed as having shown a moderate decrease in abundance since the early 1970s and is considered to be below the lowest acceptable level relative to its national population goal (see BBS Canada graph below).
Additional information on: Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) - Canadian analysis
Additional information on: Christmas Bird Count (CBC)
