Tashi Farmilo
LJI Reporter

The State of Canada’s Birds 2024 , released recently by Environment and Climate Change
Canada in collaboration with Birds Canada, paints a complex picture of the country’s avian
populations. While some species are showing signs of recovery thanks to targeted conservation
initiatives, others remain at risk, particularly in the Outaouais region.

“Birds are at the heart of Canada’s biodiversity,” said Steven Guilbeault, the Minister of
Environment and Climate Change. “Where deliberate conservation actions have been taken,
bird populations have recovered.” The report highlights this dual reality, noting that while certain
bird groups have made significant gains, others continue to decline due to habitat loss and other
human-related threats.

The study, covering 463 regularly occurring bird species in Canada, marks the most
comprehensive analysis of its kind since 1970. For the first time, it sets long-term population
targets for native bird species with sufficient data, a move aimed at measuring progress and
ensuring that both policy makers and the public have access to the best available information.
This focus on transparency and data aligns with Canada’s commitments under the Kunming-
Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, a global initiative designed to halt and reverse
biodiversity loss.

In the Outaouais region, a number of bird species feature prominently in the report’s findings.
Among them is the Blackpoll Warbler, a migratory species that traverses the region twice
annually. The bird, which falls under the categories of long-distance migrants and forest birds,
has seen its population decline by nearly 80 percent since 1970. The report identifies habitat
loss and window collisions as critical threats, not only in Canada but throughout its migratory
path to South America.

Patrick Nadeau, President and CEO of Birds Canada, underscored the urgency of addressing
these issues. “Birds provide us with beauty and solace in the natural world,” he said. “But they
are also an important indicator of the health of our planet. What they tell us is that humans are
impacting bird populations.” Nadeau highlighted both the positive effects of wetland
conservation, which has led to rebounds in wetland bird populations, and the ongoing decline of
grassland birds, which are particularly vulnerable to habitat destruction.

The report’s release comes just weeks before Canada hosts the 2024 Conference of the Parties
(COP16) to the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity, a summit where nations will
convene to discuss further actions to protect nature. The findings are expected to inform
Canada’s position at the conference and bolster the country’s commitments to halt nature
loss by 2030 and achieve full recovery by 2050.

Locally, the Outaouais region faces specific challenges that align with national trends. The
report points out that window collisions, a leading cause of bird mortality, are especially relevant ​
for the region’s urban and suburban bird populations. Simple solutions, such as treating
windows to make them visible to birds and keeping cats indoors, are recommended actions.
Many of these conservation measures require the cooperation of municipalities and community
groups, such as the Club des ornithologues de l’Outaouais, which is actively involved in local
bird protection efforts.

As Canada and the world turn their attention to COP16, the new report serves as a reminder of
the ongoing work needed to safeguard the country’s bird populations. “Together with
communities, citizen scientists, and organizations like Birds Canada, we are working to build a
future that supports nature,” said Guilbeault. “Canada is committed to halting and reversing
nature loss by 2030 and achieving full nature recovery by 2050.”

Photo: Conservation efforts are aiding bird population recoveries, but many species in the Outaouais
still face threats, prompting local action from the Club des ornithologues de l’Outaouais. (TF)
Photo courtesy of the COO