Several bird species reclassified between Threatened and Special Concern on Canada's species-at-risk lists

Plain-language summary · AI-assisted

The federal species-at-risk schedules have been updated to move a number of bird species between protection categories. Bobolink, Barn Swallow, Canada Warbler, Eastern Whip-poor-will, Ferruginous Hawk, and Heron fannini subspecies (Great Blue Heron) have been moved out of the Threatened list (Part 3) and added to the Special Concern list (Part 4). Conversely, Short-eared Owl has been added to the Threatened list, and was removed from Special Concern. These reclassifications change the level of federal protection and recovery planning obligations that apply to each species. Landowners, project proponents, and resource managers operating in habitats used by these birds should review whether their activities may now be subject to different permit or assessment requirements under the federal species-at-risk framework.

Who this affects
landowners and farmers in bird habitat areas · resource and forestry project proponents · environmental consultants and permitting advisors · federal and provincial land managers · wildlife researchers and conservation organizations