Most of the Canadian population of Common Gallinule breeds in Ontario, with smaller numbers in the southwestern portion of Quebec. The Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) is not ideally designed for this wetland species, but moderately precise results are available; they show a large, long-term decrease in the Lower Great Lakes/St. Lawrence Plain Bird Conservation Region. While this decrease at the northern edge of the species’ range could reflect a reversal of historical northward distribution shifts (Bannor and Kiviat 2002, Timmermans 2007a), results from the BBS at the continental scale also show a decline, albeit at a more moderate rate. Visual inspection of the annual indices of both the Great Lakes and Quebec Marsh Monitoring Programs also suggest short-term declines throughout the portion of the range covered by these surveys, though the trends are technically considered to represent little overall change. The Atlas of the Breeding Birds of Ontario also showed a large decline in all regions of the province during the 20-year atlas period, despite little change in distribution (Timmermans 2007a). Taking these three data sources into account, it seems clear that the population is in decline. The Common Gallinule is currently below acceptable levels of the national population goal for this species (see graph below). For more information on Common Gallinule, see the Population Status of Migratory Game Birds in Canada report (summarized version). To obtain a copy of the full version of this report, including tables and graphs, please contact ec.scf-oismiggibiers-cws-miggamebirds.ec@canada.ca.
Additional information on: Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) - Canadian analysis
Additional information on: Great Lakes Marsh Monitoring Program
Additional information on: Quebec Marsh Monitoring Program
Additional information on: Atlas of the Breeding Birds of Ontario
