Population status

Northern Pintail
(Anas acuta)

The Northern Pintail breeding population is primarily monitored in western Canada through the Waterfowl Breeding Population Habitat Survey (WBPHS), as well as the Waterfowl Breeding Population Survey of the Central Interior Plateau of British Columbia. Northern Pintail numbers were also formerly monitored outside of the WBPHS survey area by the Cooperative Yukon Roadside Waterfowl Breeding Population Survey. Although the species is not considered to be threatened, numbers for the Northern Pintail have remained below the North American Waterfowl Management Plan continental goal for several decades and have not fully recovered despite several years of favourable water conditions in the Prairies. This suggests that the habitat carrying capacity was significantly reduced on a continental scale (North American Waterfowl Management Plan 2012). The Northern Pintail is below the lowest 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 seriesEqual to goalNot applicable

Waterfowl Breeding Population and Habitat Survey in Western Canada and the Northwestern United-States

Additional information on: Waterfowl Breeding Population and Habitat Survey in Western Canada and the Northwestern United-States

Table 1: Population trends by geographic area
Geographic areaTime PeriodAnnual trend Table 1 - footnote 1   Table 1 - footnote 2 Limits
LowerUpper
Total survey area Select to view graph of the geographic area: Total survey area 1955-2017; Waterfowl Breeding Population and Habitat Survey in Western Canada and the Northwestern United-States1955-2017-0.4-0.7-0.2
Canadian Prairies Select to view graph of the geographic area: Canadian Prairies 1955-2017; Waterfowl Breeding Population and Habitat Survey in Western Canada and the Northwestern United-States1955-2017-0.9-1.2-0.6
Western Boreal Forest Select to view graph of the geographic area: Western Boreal Forest 1955-2017; Waterfowl Breeding Population and Habitat Survey in Western Canada and the Northwestern United-States1955-2017-0.5-1.10
 

British Columbia Coastal Waterbird Survey

Additional information on: British Columbia Coastal Waterbird Survey

Table 2: Population trends by geographic area
Geographic areaTime PeriodAnnual Trend Table 2 - footnote 1 Limits
LowerUpper
British Columbia coast1999-20161.6-36.7
 

Cooperative Yukon roadside Waterfowl Breeding Population Survey

Additional information on: Cooperative Yukon roadside Waterfowl Breeding Population Survey

Table 3: Population trends by geographic area
Geographic areaTime PeriodAnnual trend Table 3 - footnote 1   Table 3 - footnote 2 Limits
LowerUpper
Southern Yukon Select to view graph of the geographic area: Southern Yukon 1991-2016; Cooperative Yukon roadside Waterfowl Breeding Population Survey1991-20160.6-10.9
 

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 Plateau2006-2017-3.3-9.83.4
 

References