Population status

Savannah Sparrow
(Passerculus sandwichensis)

The Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) is the most reliable source of population information for the Savannah Sparrow in Canada. The BBS covers over half the Canadian breeding population, although there is limited coverage in the northern portion of the range. BBS results indicate that the Savannah Sparrow population has shown a long-term and continuing decrease, with an almost 50% reduction in numbers since 1970. Populations within the Bird Conservation Regions (BCR) that host the species in Canada, and for which there are reasonably reliable BBS results (displayed below), all show moderate to large decreases, with the exception of the Prairie Potholes BCR, where the population appears to be similar or slightly larger to that of 1970. The Savannah Sparrow, which includes all subspecies except the princeps subspecies, is below the lowest acceptable level relative to its national population goal (see BBS Canada graph below).

The princeps subspecies is monitored by organised censuses and surveys on Sable Island, Nova Scotia (COSEWIC 2009b, Horn 2013). Results of those surveys indicate that abundance has increased since 1970, with an approximate doubling of the total subspecies population. The latest survey (2013) estimated 5498 individuals (standard error [SE] 528; Horn 2013); most surveys during the late-1960s and 1970s estimated 2100–3300 individuals on the island. The subspecies is listed under the Species at Risk Act (SARA) because of its restricted range and on-going threats; it is considered below acceptable levels until it is de-listed.

 

Population goal and acceptable levels of variation

Species/groupGoalLower levelUpper level
Savannah SparrowMean abundance (first 5 years of survey)Goal minus 25% Not applicable
Savannah Sparrow princeps subspeciesAbundance required for de-listing (SARA)Equal to goalNot applicable

Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) - Canadian analysis

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

Table 1: Population trends by geographic area
Geographic areaTime Period Table 1 - footnote 1 Annual trend Table 1 - footnote 2 Limits
LowerUpper
Canada Select to view graph of the geographic area: Canada 1970-2016; Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) - Canadian analysis1970-2016-1.5-1.8-1.2
Canada Select to view graph of the geographic area: Canada 2006-2016; Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) - Canadian analysis2006-2016-1.9-3.70.3
Northern Pacific Rainforest Select to view graph of the geographic area: Northern Pacific Rainforest 1970-2016; Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) - Canadian analysis1970-2016-3.1-4.3-2
Boreal Taiga Plains Select to view graph of the geographic area: Boreal Taiga Plains 1970-2016; Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) - Canadian analysis1970-2016-2-2.7-1.4
Great Basin Select to view graph of the geographic area: Great Basin 1970-2016; Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) - Canadian analysis1970-2016-2.6-4-1.2
Northern Rockies Select to view graph of the geographic area: Northern Rockies 1970-2016; Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) - Canadian analysis1970-2016-0.7-1.50.2
Prairie Potholes Select to view graph of the geographic area: Prairie Potholes 1970-2016; Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) - Canadian analysis1970-20160.60.20.9
Boreal Hardwood Transition Select to view graph of the geographic area: Boreal Hardwood Transition 1970-2016; Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) - Canadian analysis1970-2016-3.3-3.8-2.8
Lower Great Lakes / St. Lawrence Plain Select to view graph of the geographic area: Lower Great Lakes / St. Lawrence Plain 1970-2016; Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) - Canadian analysis1970-2016-3.1-3.5-2.8
Atlantic Northern Forest Select to view graph of the geographic area: Atlantic Northern Forest 1970-2016; Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) - Canadian analysis1970-2016-3.2-3.7-2.7
North America Select to view graph of the geographic area: North America 1970-2016; Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) - Canadian analysis1970-2016-1.7-2-1.5
 

References