Conserve Ontario's Carolinian Forests: preserve songbird species at risk, chapter 3

The Species Ranges and the Carolinian Zone

The majority of forest songbirds in Canada, including these five species, are neotropical migrants, which means that they breed in North America in the summer months and winter in Central and South America or the Caribbean. The Canadian breeding ranges of these five species are largely restricted to the Carolinian Zone of southwestern Ontario. Climate change is thought to be driving a northwards expansion of the range of some of these species. Wildlife found at the northern extent of their breeding range can provide important benefits to their species because these populations often evolve unique genetic and behavioural variations that can contribute to species’ survival in the event of rapid changes to the environment or climate, which may affect the core populations in an unfavourable way.

The breeding range of bird species in Canada is often determined through the compilation of various regional surveys of breeding birds. The information from these regional surveys may be used to develop and publish breeding bird atlases, such as the Ontario Breeding Bird Atlas.

Known breeding distribution of the Acadian Flycatcher in Ontario using data collected from the second Ontario Breeding Bird Atlas (2001-2005). Data from the first atlas was collected between 1981 and 1985. Maps provided by Bird Studies Canada, from the Atlas of the Breeding Birds of Ontario (2001-2005).

Known breeding distribution of the Cerulean Warbler in Ontario using data collected from the second Ontario Breeding Bird Atlas (2001-2005). Data from the first atlas was collected between 1981 and 1985. Maps provided by Bird Studies Canada, from the At lasof the Breeding Birds of Ontario (2001-2005).

Known breeding distribution of the Louisiana Waterthrush in Ontario using data collected from the second Ontario Breeding Bird Atlas (2001-2005). Data from the first atlas was collected between 1981 and 1985. Maps provided by Bird Studies Canada, from the Atlas of the Breeding Birds of Ontario (2001-2005).

Known breeding distribution of the Hooded Warbler in Ontario using data collected from the second Ontario Breeding Bird Atlas (2001-2005). Data from the first atlas was collected between 1981 and 1985. Maps provided by Bird Studies Canada, from the Atlas of the Breeding Birds of Ontario (2001-2005).

Known breeding distribution of the Prothonotary Warbler in Ontario using data collected from the second Ontario Breeding Bird Atlas (2001-2005). Data from the first atlas was collected between 1981 and 1985. Maps provided by Bird Studies Canada, from the Atlas of the Breeding Birds of Ontario (2001-2005).