Following its classification as threatened in Canada by a federal committee last year, the snowy owl has now been recognized as a “sensitive species” by the government of Alberta.
Each year, these striking white raptors migrate from their breeding habitats in the Arctic to various provinces, including Alberta, where they find ample rodent prey in the expansive Prairie landscapes.
Alberta’s general status listing for wild species is revised every five years. The most recent update, released on October 21, indicates that three bird species previously classified as “secure” are now deemed “sensitive species” in the province: snowy owls, mountain bluebirds, and hermit thrushes.
The provincial authorities did not elaborate on the reasons behind the status change for these three bird species.
In a statement to CBC News, Andrew Livingstone, communications director for Alberta Environment and Protected Areas, noted that all three species have seen declines in their populations over the past ten years, as indicated by data from the Breeding Bird Survey and the Christmas Bird Count.
“A sensitive designation indicates that a species is not at immediate risk of extinction or local extinction, but may need special focus or protection to avoid becoming at risk,” Livingstone stated.
A snowy owl in southern Alberta, where these birds search for food in open fields during their annual migration. Snowy owls journey from the Arctic to various locations across Canada and the U.S. each year. (Amir Said/CBC)
Much of the information regarding snowy owl populations is derived from the annual Christmas Bird Count, a citizen science project where thousands of volunteers throughout Canada tally all the birds they observe in designated areas each year.
As stated in The State of Canada’s Birds, a collaborative report by Birds Canada and Environment and Climate Change Canada, snowy owl populations have decreased by approximately 56 percent since 1970.
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Colin Weir, managing director of the Alberta Birds of Prey Foundation wildlife rehabilitation center in Coaldale, has observed this population decline firsthand.
“Ten to fifteen years ago, we would often receive a few to several injured snowy owls each fall, winter, and spring,” he remarked. “In the last two or three years, I don’t believe we’ve had a single snowy owl come to our facility.”
Colin Weir, managing director of the Alberta Birds of Prey Foundation, holds a flightless snowy owl, one of two that became permanent residents of the facility after being struck by vehicles. (Amir Said/CBC)
Weir suggests that climate change is likely the primary reason for the decline in snowy owl populations.
Although avian flu and collisions with vehicles are recognized causes of snowy owl deaths, he believes that factors affecting their wintering areas in Alberta are less impactful compared to environmental changes in the Arctic, where they breed.
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Weir points out that vehicle collisions are the primary reason snowy owls require rescue in Alberta, advising that the best way to aid them is to remain vigilant while driving. He emphasizes that for birdwatchers eager to take photographs, maintaining a respectful distance is crucial.
“There are many people observing them, of course,” Weir noted. “Watching from a distance with spotting scopes and binoculars, and avoiding chasing them is essential because a snowy owl might become anxious if people approach too closely, leading it to fly into the path of an oncoming vehicle.”
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Livingstone, the spokesperson for the province, clarified that “this change does not immediately activate protective measures through Alberta’s Species at Risk Program.
“However, it does highlight these species for potential detailed assessments in the future as well as additional consideration through processes like land management planning.”
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Snowy owls are spotted in every province of Canada during their winter migration.
According to The State of Canada’s Birds, there are approximately 15,000 snowy owls in the nation, making up over half of the global population estimated at 29,000.
The International Union for the Conservation of Nature categorizes the global population of snowy owls as vulnerable.
Mountain bluebird and hermit thrush now also classified as ‘sensitive species’
Two small songbirds that were previously listed as “secure” have now been categorized as “sensitive species” in Alberta.
The mountain bluebird, which can be found throughout the Canadian Prairies, is cherished for its vibrant blue feathers despite its name.
There are three bluebird species in North America, with the mountain bluebird being the only one native to Alberta. (Amir Said/CBC)
Jody Allair from Birds Canada highlights that among the threats facing them is a decrease in insect populations, which serve as their main food source, largely due to the use of pesticides and herbicides.
The provincial designation for mountain bluebirds is “really just aligning more closely with the trends we are observing for them across the country,” Allair remarked.
As per The State of Canada’s Birds, the population of mountain bluebirds in Canada has decreased by 60 percent since 1970.
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The hermit thrush, which is related to the more familiar American robin, can be found throughout Alberta and is often heard rather than seen.
“Hermit thrushes are known for having one of the most beautiful bird songs globally,” Allair noted.
The hermit thrush is more often heard than seen, residing in forests throughout Alberta. (Amir Said/CBC)
The State of Canada’s Birds indicates that the hermit thrush has faced a 54 percent population decline across Canada; however, due to inconsistent data from various surveys, Birds Canada expresses “low confidence” in this estimate.
Previous studies indicated that the population of this bird was actually on the rise in Canada. Those findings suggest that the hermit thrush is particularly susceptible to forest loss and fragmentation due to its preference for interior forest habitats.
“Canada holds 79 percent of the global population of this species, which means we have a significant responsibility for its conservation in Canada,” Allair stated.
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While these three birds have recently been classified as “sensitive species,” Allair emphasizes that avian populations across Alberta and Canada are facing significant challenges.
“We must pay attention to many of our bird species at this time in the country because what was once a common bird like the hermit thrush is no longer common, which is quite disheartening,” he concluded.
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