Population status

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
(Sphyrapicus varius)

The Yellow-bellied Sapsucker is best monitored at the national scale by the Breeding Bird Survey (BBS), though the northern portion of the population is not well covered. Results suggest that there has been an estimated 94% increase in abundance since about 1970. At the regional level, the results from Bird Conservation Regions (BCRs) all indicate substantial increases in abundance with the exception of the Atlantic Northern Forest BCR, where abundance has decreased (all BCRs with reasonably reliable results are displayed below). However, the Maritimes Breeding Bird Atlas suggests little change in the probability of observation of Yellow-bellied Sapsucker between the first and second atlas (Villard and LaPointe 2015). Approximately half of this species' wintering range is covered by the Christmas Bird Count (CBC); birds breeding in both the United States and Canada are included though almost 80% of Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers breed in Canada. CBC results suggest that the continental population of Yellow-bellied Sapsucker has changed little since the early 1970s. Relying mainly on the BBS, the Yellow-bellied Sapsucker is perhaps best assessed as having shown a moderate increase in abundance since the early 1970s, though the lack of good coverage and the differing survey results means the reliability of this assessment is considered medium. The species is at an acceptable level relative to its national population goal (see BBS Canada graph below).

 

Population goal and acceptable levels of variation

Species/groupGoalLower levelUpper level
Yellow-bellied SapsuckerMean 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 analysis1970-20161.40.42.1
Canada Select to view graph of the geographic area: Canada 2006-2016; Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) - Canadian analysis2006-20162.70.94.6
Boreal Taiga Plains Select to view graph of the geographic area: Boreal Taiga Plains 1970-2016; Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) - Canadian analysis1970-20161.60.42.9
Prairie Potholes Select to view graph of the geographic area: Prairie Potholes 1970-2016; Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) - Canadian analysis1970-20163.41.85
Boreal Hardwood Transition Select to view graph of the geographic area: Boreal Hardwood Transition 1970-2016; Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) - Canadian analysis1970-20162.31.63
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 analysis1970-2016434.9
Atlantic Northern Forest Select to view graph of the geographic area: Atlantic Northern Forest 1970-2016; Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) - Canadian analysis1970-2016-1.1-1.8-0.3
North America Select to view graph of the geographic area: North America 1970-2016; Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) - Canadian analysis1970-20161.70.82.2
 

Picture of logo Christmas Bird Count (CBC)

Additional information on: Christmas Bird Count (CBC)

Table 2: Population trends by geographic area
Geographic areaTime PeriodAnnual Trend Table 2 - footnote 1 Limits
LowerUpper
North America Select to view graph of the geographic area: North America 1970-2016; Christmas Bird Count (CBC)1970-20160.2-0.30.374
 

References