Population status

Hooded Merganser
(Lophodytes cucullatus)

The population size and trends for mergansers are not reliably known, as many of the aerial surveys used to monitor the birds do not distinguish between the three species, whose breeding ranges overlap extensively. An important part of the merganser breeding range in the boreal forest is not covered by the surveys. However, the three species can be reliably identified during helicopter-based plot surveys conducted as part of the Eastern Waterfowl Breeding Ground Survey The Hooded Merganser is also monitored by the Waterfowl Breeding Population Survey of the Central Interior Plateau of British Columbia and the Southern Ontario Waterfowl Plot Survey. The Hooded Merganser is currently experiencing increasing or stable long-term trends in all surveyed areas; and it is at an acceptable level relative to its national population goal. Detailed information on the population status of waterfowl species is available in 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.

 

Population goal and acceptable levels of variation

Species/groupGoalLower levelUpper level
CanadaLong-term average of the time series10th percentile of observed abundance (1970-2012)Not applicable

British Columbia Coastal Waterbird Survey

Additional information on: British Columbia Coastal Waterbird Survey

Table 1: Population trends by geographic area
Geographic areaTime PeriodAnnual Trend Table 1 - footnote 1 Limits
LowerUpper
British Columbia coast1999-2016-1-4.93
 

Eastern waterfowl breeding ground survey

Additional information on: Eastern waterfowl breeding ground survey

Table 2: Population trends by geographic area
Geographic areaTime PeriodAnnual Trend Table 2 - footnote 1 Limits
LowerUpper
Total survey area Select to view graph of the geographic area: Total survey area 1990-2017; Eastern waterfowl breeding ground survey1990-20172.71.93.7
 

Southern Ontario Waterfowl Plot Survey

Additional information on: Southern Ontario Waterfowl Plot Survey

Table 3: Population trends by geographic area
Geographic areaTime PeriodAnnual trend Table 3 - footnote 1   Table 3 - footnote 2 Limits
LowerUpper
Southern Ontario Select to view graph of the geographic area: Southern Ontario 1971-2017; Southern Ontario Waterfowl Plot Survey1971-20179.15.113.3
 

Waterfowl Breeding Population Survey of the Central Interior Plateau of B.C.

Additional information on: Waterfowl Breeding Population Survey of the Central Interior Plateau of B.C.

Table 4: Population trends by geographic area
Geographic areaTime PeriodAnnual trend Table 4 - footnote 1   Table 4 - footnote 2 Limits
LowerUpper
British -Columbia Central Plateau2006-2017-0.3-3.12.4
 

References