Cerulean Warbler
(Setophaga cerulean, or Dendroica cerulea)
Status in Canada: Endangered
Status in Ontario: Threatened
Status at SWCR: Rare breeding bird
Cerulean Warbler is a small, insectivorous songbird that nests in mature deciduous forests and can be found in the Nursery Tract during the breeding season.
Quick Facts:
- In Ontario, it breeds primarily in two distinct areas: southeastern Ontario (where the largest concentration occurs) and southwestern Ontario where the species is more widely scattered.
- Males are sky blue.
- It was once fairly common and widespread in Ontario, but populations in Norfolk country have been declining. Now the Cerulean warbler is very rare in the region.
- Cerulean warblers are loosely colonial, and return to the same nesting territory every year.
Threats at the St. Williams Conservation Reserve:
Habitat Degradation: from forest destruction and invasive forest pests which cause mature trees to die.
Activities that can damage critical Cerulean warbler habitat include:
- Tree removal that eliminates the closed canopy conditions needed by this species.
- Activities that can introduce or encourage the growth of invasive plants, such as dumping of garden waste and off-trail ATV use.
- Activities that interfere with understory shrubs, unauthorized plant collecting and off-trail ATV use.
St. Williams Conservation Reserve management practices:
- Population monitoring
- Enforcement of unauthorized trail use
What you can do to help:
- Follow the code of conduct for recreational activities in the Conservation Reserve and know and respect the current trail-use regulations.
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- Report sightings to the SWCR CC, Bird Studies Canada (www.ebird.ca or 1-888-448-2473), or the Natural Heritage Information Centre.
- Report unauthorized trail use or any illegal activity related to plants and wildlife to 1-877-TIPS-MNR (847-7667).
More information:
Species At Risk Public Registry Profile
Ontario Species at Risk Profile