Nature PEI

Canada Warbler — Threatened

Canada Warbler

Cardellina canadensis

The Canada Warble is one of many forest birds that winter in South America, declining 31% overall since 1976. As a long-distance migrant, the Canada Warbler encounters threats at every step of its journey to and from wintering areas in South America and breeding areas in Canada, including PEI. The species is currently listed as Threatened under the federal Species at Risk Act, but in 2020, was re-assessed as Special Concern based on shorter term population increases of 46% from 2009-2019. (It remains to implement an official status change). On PEI, the Canada Warbler and several other rare bird species use wetland sites with shrubby understories, including Red Maple swamps, wet Black Spruce stands, Speckled Alder thickets, and Eastern White Cedar swamps. Snags, Cinnamon Fern and Sphagnum Mossare also important habitat features.

Habitat loss and degradation on the wintering range in the Andes Mountains of South American are thought to be the most likely factors responsible for the long-term decline of Canada Warbler.

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