Population status

Western Tanager
(Piranga ludoviciana)

The Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) provides the best monitoring data for Western Tanagers in Canada, though it does not provide good coverage of the northern portion of the species' breeding population. BBS results indicate an approximately 100% increase in the abundance of Western Tanager in Canada since the early 1970s. All Bird Conservation Regions for which there are reasonably reliable BBS results are shown below; they all show moderate or large increases. Continentally, the Western Tanager population, as monitored by the North American BBS, also shows an increase since 1970. The species is currently at an acceptable level relative to its national population goal (see Canada graph below).

 

Population goal and acceptable levels of variation

Species/groupGoalLower levelUpper level
Western TanagerMean abundance (2008-2012)Mean long-term abundance (1970-2012) minus 25%Not 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 analysis1970-20161.61.12.1
Canada Select to view graph of the geographic area: Canada 2006-2016; Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) - Canadian analysis2006-20161.70.33.2
Northern Pacific Rainforest Select to view graph of the geographic area: Northern Pacific Rainforest 1970-2016; Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) - Canadian analysis1970-20163.32.34.3
Great Basin Select to view graph of the geographic area: Great Basin 1970-2016; Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) - Canadian analysis1970-20161.20.41.9
Northern Rockies Select to view graph of the geographic area: Northern Rockies 1970-2016; Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) - Canadian analysis1970-20161.30.52.1
North America Select to view graph of the geographic area: North America 1970-2016; Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) - Canadian analysis1970-20161.211.4
 

References

  • Bryant, A.A., J.-P.L. Savard, and R.T. McLaughlin. 1993. Avian communities in old-growth and managed forests of western Vancouver Island, British Columbia. Canadian Wildlife Service Technical Report Series No. 167. Delta, BC. 115 pp.
  • Hudon, J. 1999. Western Tanager (Piranga ludoviciana), The Birds of North America Online (A. Poole, Ed.). Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Ithaca, New York. Hudon, J. 1999. Western Tanager (Piranga ludoviciana), The Birds of North America Online (A. Poole, Ed.). Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Ithaca, New York. (Link)
  • Morgan, K.H., S.P. Wetmore, G.E.J. Smith and R.A. Keller. 1989. Relationships between logging methods, habitat structure and bird communities of the dry interior Douglas-fir, ponderosa pine forests of British Columbia. Canadian Wildllife Servive Technical Report Series no. 71. Environment Canada, Pacific and Yukon Regions.
  • Schieck, J. and M. Nietfeld. 1995. Bird species richness and abundance in relation to stand age and structure in aspen mixedwood forests in Alberta. pp. 115-157 In: Relationships Between Stand Age, Stand Structure, And Biodiversity in Aspen Mixedwood Forests in Alberta. Stelfox, J.B., Ed. Alberta Environmental Centre, Vegreville, Alberta.