BC Conservation Data Centre: Conservation Status Report
Icteria virens
Yellow-breasted Chat
| Scientific Name: | Icteria virens |
|---|---|
| English Name: | Yellow-breasted Chat |
| Provincial Status Summary | |
| Status: | S2B |
| Date Status Assigned: | April 30, 2018 |
| Date Last Reviewed: | March 21, 2018 |
| Reasons: | Low population sizes, habitat specificity, historically reduced population, small range extent. |
| Range | |
| Range Extent: | E = 5,000-20,000 square km |
| Range Extent Estimate (km2): | 8800 |
| Range Extent Comments: | Range mostly restricted to the Okanagan, Similkameen Valleys and the Kootenay area near the Pend d'Oreille River. A minimum convex polygon incorporating these areas is approximately 8800 km (COSEWIC 2011). |
| Area of Occupancy (km2): | F = 126-500 |
| Area of Occupancy Estimate (km2): | 152 |
| Area of Occupancy Comments: |
COSEWIC (2011) estimates that the area of occupancy is estimated to be a maximum of about 608 km² (based on 152 pairs, each of which occupies a separate 2 km x 2 km grid cell). However, because multiple pairs often occupy more than one grid cell, the actual IO would be < 500 km². Pers. comm from K. Mancuso: Approximately 14 1-km squared grid cells in the south Okanagan are occupied, and estimates are likely similar for the Similkameen. The Pend d'Oreille River and Kootenay River Valley are probably approximately 3 1-km square grid cells, totalling 31 1-km square grid cells. |
| Occurrences & Population | |
| Number of Occurrences: | A = 1 - 5 |
| Comments: | There are three geographically discontinous areas where chats occur in some numbers: (1) Similkameen, (2) south/central Okanagan, and (3) eastern BC in the Pend D'Oreille River area (Environment and Climate Change Canada 2016). There are more element occurrences within these area, the CDC has a total of 15 currently mapped (2018). This excludes one-offs where breeding has been documented (i.e. Creston, Revelstoke, etc.) as these do not qualify as EOs until more breeding activity is confirmed. |
| Number of Occurrences with Good Viability / Ecological Integrity: | B = 1 - 3 |
| Comments: | The majority of the population occurs in the south Okanagan Valley element of occurrence. Similar habitat occurs in the Similkameen valley and thus the population there may be about two-thirds to almost equal to the Okanagan Valley. and conservation and restoration efforts make this area likely to persist into the forseeable future and thus these two occurences are likely the only two with reasonably good viability and ecological integrity. The area of occupancy for the Pend O'reille River is much smaller and has low population sizes and therefore is subject to fluctuations but has been consistently breeding there since 2004 (Environment and Climate Change Canada 2016). The exact population size in the Similkameen River Valley isn't known as most of the land is currently on First Nations land (Environment and Climate Change Canada 2016), but whether this area will remain undeveloped is uncertain. Threats of dam construction here or in Washington could substantially alter the Similkameen population. |
| Number of Occurrences Appropriately Protected & Managed: | B = 1 - 3 |
| Comments: | Known breeding habitat has been protected for the south Okanagan element of occurence, including: Inkaneep Provincial Park, Vaseux-Bighorn National Wildlife Area, Penticton Indian Band Land, South Okanagan Wildlife and Management Area, and BC Nature Trust Land. |
| Population Size: | C = 250 - 1,000 individuals |
| Comments: | There were approximately 120 pairs in the south Okanagan Valley in 2017 (Mancuso, unpublished data 2017). It is unknown how many birds breed in the Similkameen but estimates are 72 breeding pairs (Environment and Climate Change Canada 2016), plus an additional estimate of 8 breeding pairs in the Pend d'Oreille River area (Environment and Climate Change Canada 2016), and at least 1 breeding in Revelstoke (John Woods, personal communication, 2017). When you consider these known populations plus additional transient sightings (Lower mainland, Ashcroft, Williams Lake) there are at least 200 breeding pairs in the province, which is 400 individuals. |
| Threats (to population, occurrences, or area affected) | |
| Degree of Threat: | B = High |
| Comments: | Habitat loss or degradation is still the main conservation issue for this species on breeding grounds and overwintering grounds (Environment and Climate Change Canada 2016). Widespread clearing of low elevation riparian thickets has eliminated much of this species' breeding habitat in British Columbia and roadside vegetation clearing still remains a current threat (Environment and Climate Change Canada 2016). Yellow-breasted Chats are frequently parasitised by the Brown-headed Cowbird - as high as 44% in some sites in one study (Morgan et al. 2007) and as high as 52.9% in another (Forrester et al. 2017). However, chats are still able to successfully raise their own chicks despite parasitism (Thompson and Nolan 1973; McKibbin and Bishop 2014). Cattle grazing may further reduce or fragment existing habitat, and trampling of patches has been documented to cause nest failure (Environment and Climate Change Canada 2016). Urban development, hydoelectric dams, and pesticides pose additional threats (COSEWIC 2011; Environment and Climate Change Canada 2016). Chats nesting near roads are at risk of collisions with vehicles (Potvin and Bishop 2010). |
| Trend (in population, range, area occupied, and/or condition of occurrences) | |
| Short-Term Trend: | H = Increase of 10-25% |
| Comments: | Population estimates in the 1990s were 50 breeding pairs max (Cannings 1995), then by early 2000s in the Okananagan Valley alone the estimate of breeding pairs was up into the 70s (Environment and Climate Change Canada 2016), now there are at least 120 breeding pairs in the Okanagan Valley and likely a minimum of 200 breeding pairs in the province (Kristen Mancuso, unpublished data, 2017). This is likely due in part to increased detection, but over the last 10 years populations appear to be increasing in the Okanagan each year. Breeding Bird Survey data shows an increase in both the short and long term trend for BC (Environment and Climate Change Canada 2017). Restoration of riparian habitat, primarily wild rose thickets, through livestock exclusion to riparian areas have increased the abundance of chats, although has shown no affect on reproductive output (Forrester et al. 2017). |
| Long-Term Trend: | E = Decline of 30-50% |
| Comments: | Although there is very little hard data on historic populations, the loss and fragmentation of low elevation riparian habitats in the south Okanagan Valley is believed to be responsible for the estimated low population levels during 1980 to 2001 of approximately 20 breeding pairs or less (Cannings 1995). Important breeding habitat for the chat, including aproximately 63% of Black Cottonwood-Water Birch and 93% of Water Birch-Rose habitats have been lost since 1800 (Austin et al. 2008) and so historic populations declines likely occurred. Although population fluctuations are normal for this species at the edge of its range (Eckerle and Thompson 2001), some of the core breeding habitat in the south Okanagan is protected and recently the number of males (and likely pairs) appears to be increasing. |
| Other Factors | |
| Intrinsic Vulnerability: | C=Not intrinsically vulnerable |
| Comments: | Not intrinsically vulnerable but natural factors at edge of its range make it vulnerable to population fluctuations. Riparian habitat vulnerable to flooding if dams installed, or due climate change associated events. |
| Environmental Specificity: | B=Narrow. Specialist or community with key requirements common. |
| Comments: | Early seral stage specialist, especially dense shrubs in riparian or moist subsites. As natural succession proceeds, suitable nesting habitat is lost due as early- to mid successional shrubs are replaced by climax forest. Western populations appear to be more habitat-specialised than subspecies in eastern North America, which often nest in clearcuts (Eckerle and Thompson 2001). In the south Okanagan Valley, wild rose is a particularly important component of breeding habitat as 72% of nests were found in wild rose (McKibbin and Bishop 2010). |
| Other Rank Considerations: | |
| Information Gaps | |
| Research Needs: | Research needs for population viability analyses include determining if chats are breeding on overwintering grounds (Environment and Climate Change Canada 2016). Additional research and monitoring on the following topics is necessary for the recovery strategy of the species: populations, nests, site fidelity, productivity, parasitism, predation, population change rates, relationships between habitat quality and productivity, overwintering habitat quality, size of buffer to protect nest sites, threats on overwintering grounds, and threats during migration (Environment and Climate Change Canada 2016). |
| Inventory Needs: | A master database needs to be created and maintained to compile and share survey data where surveys have been completed (Christine Bishop 2017, personal communication). Continued funding and support is necessary for regular surveys of southeastern BC and Similkameen Valley populations including the Lower Similkameen Indian Band (Christine Bishop 2017, personal communication). |
| Stewardship | |
| Protection: | Suitable breeding and foraging habitats should be managed to prevent incompatible resource use as part of this plan. Continued outreach to the Ministry of Transportation to avoid roadside clearing activities of mid- to early successional habitats used by chats (Christine Bishop 2017, personal communication). The seral stage of the old KVR line throughout northern Oliver to Okanagan Falls is currently very attractive to chats (Christine Bishop 2017, personal communication). Enhancement activities could include planting of wild rose bushes within protected riparian areas such as Vaseux Lake and Osoyoos Oxbows area (Cannings 1995). A number of breeding sites that show consistent and substantial annual breeding activity should be secured and managed. Re-naturalization and restoration of the river in Oliver had chats successfully breed there in 2016 (Kristen Mancuso, 2016, unpublished data), and thus similar restoration activities along the south Okanagan and Similkameen Rivers may increase potential breeding habitat. |
| Management: | Increased information sharing and cooperation among agencies and groups (government, band councils, private land owners, etc) to create an integrated database that would further the conservation of the species. Cooperate with band councils and landowners to develop and implement land management guidelines designed to protect nesting habitats on Indian Reserves and private lands and follow up with monitoring chats in these areas. Prevent livestock grazing (or at least exclude grazing during chat nesting period May - August) in the vicinity of breeding territories through provision of alternative water sources, salt licks, or fencing. Avoid use of pesticides on breeding grounds as this may contribute to reduced insect availability and note new agricultural practices that may use pesticides in proximity to key chat breeding areas as pesticide drift may occur. In cooperation with Environment and Climate Change Canada, a comprehensive management plan for neotropical migrants in British Columbia should be developed that addresses the international conservation needs of Yellow-breasted Chats. Continue to integrate terrestrial riparian habitat enhancement where fisheries enhancement is initiated (Christine Bishop 2017, personal communication). Keep managers aware of the importance of early to mid successional seral habitat at low elevations (<500 m) to shrub-nesting species like chats and ensure this habitat is managed and maintained on the landscape (Christine Bishop 2017, personal communication). Ensure the KVR trail is managed carefully to avoid excessive human disturbance (e.g. increased bike and foot traffic) and maintain habitat for nesting chats (Christine Bishop 2017, personal communication). |
| Version | |
| Author: | Kristen Mancuso |
| Date: | December 09, 2017 |
| References | |
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American Ornithologists' Union (AOU). 1983. Check-list of North American Birds, 6th edition. Allen Press, Inc., Lawrence, KS. 877pp.
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Austin,M.A., D.A. Buffett, D.J. Nicolson, et al. 2008. Taking Natures Pulse: The Status of Biodiversity in British Columbia. Biodiversity BC, Victoria, BC. 268 pp.
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Bird, J., R. Martin, H.R. Akçakaya, et al. 2020. Generation lengths of the world?s birds and their implications for extinction risk. Conservation Biology 34:1252?1261.
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Bishop, C. 2020. The Chat is Back: a story of a multi-nation partnership to recover the endangered Yellow-breasted Chat population in British Columbia. Partners in Flight.
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British Columbia Ministry of Water, Land and Air Protection. 2004. Yellow-breasted Chat in Accounts and measures for managing identified wildlife. British Columbia Ministry of Water, Land and Air Protection, Victoria, BC. 52pp.
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Campbell, R.W. and E. McMackin. 2006c. Status of the Yellow-breasted Chat in the Creston Valley, British Columbia, 1968- 2006. Wildlife Afield 3: 17-21.
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Cannings, R.J. 1995. Status of the Yellow-breasted Chat in British Columbia. B.C. Minist. Environ., Lands and Parks, Wildl. Branch. Bull. B-81. 24pp.
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COSEWIC. 2011h. COSEWIC assessment and status report on the Yellow-breasted Chat auricollis subspecies Icteria virens auricollis and the Yellow-breasted Chat virens subspecies Icteria virens virens in Canada. Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada. Ottawa. xvi + 51 pp
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eBird. ND. eBird: an online database of bird distribution and abundance [web application]. eBird, Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Ithaca, N.Y.
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Eckerle, K.P., and C.F. Thompson. 2001. Yellow-breasted Chat (Icteria virens). In A. Poole and F. Gill, eds. The Birds of North America, No. 575. The Birds of North America, Inc., Philadelphia, PA.
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Environment and Climate Change Canada. 2016r. Recovery Strategy for the Yellow-breasted Chat auricollis subspecies (Icteria virens auricollis) (Southern Mountain population) in Canada. Species at Risk Act Recovery Strategy Series. Environment and Climate Change Canada, Ottawa. v + 31 pp.
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Environment and Climate Change Canada. 2019d. Recovery Strategy for the Yellow-breasted Chat virens subspecies (Icteria virens virens) in Canada. Species at Risk Act Recovery Strategy Series. Environment and Climate Change Canada, Ottawa. xi + 43 pp.
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Forrester, T.R., D.J, Green, R, McKibbin, et al. 2020. Riparian habitat restoration increases the availability and occupancy of Yellow-breasted Chat territories but brood parasitism is the primary influence on reproductive performance, Ornithological Applications, Volume 122, Issue 4, duaa038.
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Forrester, T.R., D.J. Green, R. McKibbin and C.A. Bishop. 2017. Evaluating the efficacy of seasonal grazing and livestock exclusion as restoration tools for birds in riparian habitat of the Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada. 25(5):768-777
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Fraser, D.F. and E. Walters. 1993. Preliminary Species Management Plan for Yellow-breasted Chat in British Columbia. Ministry of Environment. Victoria. 4 pp
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Machmer, M, and S. Ogle. 2006. Survey for endangered Yellow-breasted Chat breeding occurrence, habitat productivity in southeastern BC. Columbia Basin Fish and Wildlife Compensation Program, Nelson.
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Mancuso, K.A. Personal communication.
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Mancuso, K.A., K.E. Hodges, J.D.Alexander, et al. 2022. Migration and non-breeding ecology of the Yellow-breasted Chat Icteria virens. J Ornithology 163, 37?50 (2022).
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McKibbin, R. and C.A. Bishop. 2010. Habitat characterization of breeding territories of the western Yellow-breasted Chat in the south Okanagan, British Columbia,Canada. Northwest Naturalist 91:141-156.
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McKibbin, R., and C.A. Bishop. 2014. Multiple broods and nest success in western yellow-breasted chats (Icteria virens auricollis) in the south Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada. The Wilson Journal of Ornithology 126(4):767-771.
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Morgan, T.C., C.A. Bishop, and T.D. Williams. 2004. Habitat fragmentation, cowbird parasitism and limiting factors for a critically small population of western yellow-breasted chat (Icteria virens auricollis) breeding at the northwestern limit of its range. (In preparation)
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Potvin, J. and C.A. Bishop. 2010. An endangered population and roadside mortality: three western Yellow-breasted Chat fatalties in the south Okanagan valley, British Columbia. British Columbia Birds. 20:45-48
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Siddle, C. 2006. A coastal breeding record for Yellow-breasted Chat in Mission, British Columbia. Wildlfie Afield. 3:2(148-149).
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Thompson, C. F., and V. Nolan, Jr. 1973. Population biology of the yellow-breasted chat (Icteria virens L.) in southern Indiana. Ecolog. Monogr. 43:145-171.
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Ward, M.P., M.Alessi, T.J. Benson, S. J. Chiavacci. 2014. The active nightlife of diurnal birds: extraterritorial forays and nocturnal activity patterns. Animal Behaviour,Volume 88, pp 175-184,
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Please visit the website Conservation Status Ranks for information on how the CDC determines conservation status ranks. For global conservation status reports and ranks, please visit the NatureServe website http://www.natureserve.org/.
Suggested Citation:
B.C. Conservation Data Centre. 2017. Conservation Status Report: Icteria virens. B.C. Minist. of Environment. Available: https://a100.gov.bc.ca/pub/eswp/ (accessed Jun 13, 2026).