Rose-breasted Grosbeak    Pheucticus ludovicianus

Conservation Status

General Status in Canada : Secure

COSEWIC Status : Not assessed

Populations of Red-breasted Grosbeaks have been declining slightly since 1980 in Canada. Generally, species that breed in disturbed or second growth habitats have benefited from human development and forestry practices as these habitat types have increased. While the decline of Red-breasted Grosbeak populations is puzzling, the maturation of forest stands in the eastern portion of their breeding range in recent decades may have reduced the overall extent and quality of suitable habitat. Overall, this species is not considered a conservation concern - but it does warrant further research, focusing on population dynamics and limiting factors on breeding and wintering grounds.

Reference(s)

Burke, D. M., and E. Nol. 2000. Landscape and fragment size effects on reproductive success of forest-breeding birds in Ontario, Ecological Applications, 10(6):1749-1761.

Wyatt, V. E., and C. M. Francis. 2002. Rose-breasted Grosbeak (Pheucticus ludovicianus), The Birds of North America Online, . A. Poole, Ed. Ithaca: Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology; Retrieved from The Birds of North America Online database: http://bna.birds.cornell.edu/bna/species/692