In Canada, long-term population trends of the Lewis's Woodpecker are best estimated by the Breeding Bird Survey (BBS), although less than half of the breeding population is covered and the estimated trend relies on the species' range-wide trend (i.e., the average trend across the BBS survey area, including in the United States) since there are relatively few observations of the species. BBS results suggest an approximate 60% decrease in abundance since the early 1970s. Canadian Christmas Bird Count data suggest a large decrease in wintering populations since about 1970; these are based on only 6 count circles resulting in poor precision of the trend estimate. The continental population has also declined, as suggested by both BBS and CBC results from throughout North America. Considering all sources, Lewis's Woodpecker is best assessed as having shown a large decrease in Canada since 1970. However, because of the drawbacks listed above this assessment is considered to be of medium reliability. Directed surveys in British Columbia could provide more long term trend data in the future (Environment Canada 2014, Sbrolla 2017). The Lewis's Woodpecker is below the lowest acceptable level relative to its national population goal (see BBS Canada graph below). This goal is consistent with the Recovery Strategy's objective to maintain or increase the regional population (ECCC 2017a).
Additional information on: Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) - Canadian analysis
Additional information on: Christmas Bird Count (CBC)
