Few reliable monitoring data are available to describe the population status of Pigeon Guillemots in Canada. Repeated, systematic surveys during the breeding season are lacking for much of the species’ range (Ewins 1993). Declines have been observed in Prince William Sound, Alaska (e.g., Ewins 1993, Bixler 2010), though results from the Christmas Bird Count (CBC) suggest that the population has shown a moderate increase at the continental level (see below). Interestingly, CBC results for Alaska suggest a moderate increase in that population over the long term (Meehan et al. 2018). The Coastal Waterbird Survey in British Columbia suggests recent increases in the region as well. However, these large increases observed in British Columbia could reflect changes in observer effort or an increasing fraction of the population wintering near shore, which increases the likelihood of the birds being counted. Overall, the population in Canada has likely increased relative to about 1970, but this assessment is of low reliability. The Pigeon Guillemot is currently at an acceptable level relative to its national population goal (see graph below).
Additional information on: Christmas Bird Count (CBC)
Additional information on: British Columbia Coastal Waterbird Survey
