Population status

Pygmy Nuthatch
(Sitta pygmaea)

Two monitoring programs provide information on the population status of Pygmy Nuthatch in Canada, both of which suggest little overall change in abundance relative to the early 1970s. The Christmas Bird Count (CBC) monitors the species on its wintering grounds and provides the best geographic coverage and precision of results. Results from the Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) corroborate the CBC, though the species is recorded on only 14 BBS routes and the precision of the trend estimate is low. However, considering the agreement between both sources, the Pygmy Nuthatch can be assessed as having shown little long-term change in abundance, with medium reliability. The species is considered to be at an acceptable level relative to its national population goal (see CBC Canada graph below).

 

Population goal and acceptable levels of variation

Species/groupGoalLower levelUpper level
Pygmy NuthatchMean abundance (first 5 years of survey)Goal minus 25% Not applicable

Picture of logo Christmas Bird Count (CBC)

Additional information on: Christmas Bird Count (CBC)

Table 1: Population trends by geographic area
Geographic areaTime PeriodAnnual Trend Table 1 - footnote 1 Limits
LowerUpper
Canada Select to view graph of the geographic area: Canada 1970-2016; Christmas Bird Count (CBC)1970-20160-1.61.64
North America Select to view graph of the geographic area: North America 1970-2016; Christmas Bird Count (CBC)1970-20161-1.93.28
 

Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) - Canadian analysis

Additional information on: Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) - Canadian analysis

Table 2: Population trends by geographic area
Geographic areaTime Period Table 2 - footnote 1 Annual trend Table 2 - footnote 2 Limits
LowerUpper
Canada Select to view graph of the geographic area: Canada 1970-2016; Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) - Canadian analysis1970-20160.3-3.44.3
North America Select to view graph of the geographic area: North America 1970-2016; Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) - Canadian analysis1970-2016-0.2-1.30.9
 

References