Willow Flycatcher populations declined by 51% between 1966 and 2014, according to the North American Breeding Bird Survey and allaboutbirds.org. Additionally, the species rates a 10 out of 20 on the Continental Concern Score, meaning although it is threatened, Willow Flycatchers are not in immediate danger of extinction and thus are not an utmost priority amongst conservation efforts.
Conversely, the Southwestern subspecies of Willow Flycatcher is classified federally as Endangered. It is also in the 2014 State of the Birds Watch List, which tracks at-risk bird species. Without conservation intervention, the sub-species faces the potential of becoming extinct.
On a more positive note, the U.S. has established what is known as the Endangered Species Act (1973), which “provides for the conservation of species that are endangered or threatened throughout all or a significant portion of their range, and the conservation of the ecosystems on which they depend.” The Willow Flycatcher is one of the 2, 270 species protected under said Act, helping to preserve its declining populations.
In California, all three subspecies of Willow Flycatcher are listed as State Threatened and U.S. Forest Service Region 5 Sensitive. Additionally, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has named the Willow Flycatcher a sensitive species in Region 1 (Washington, Oregon, Idaho, California, and Nevada) (U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service).
The following are among the (approximately) 54 protected areas designated for the species:
- Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, CA
- Barro Colorado Island (Panama)
- Colorado National Monument, CO
- Antietam National Battlefield, MD
- San Juan Island National Historical Park, WA
- Montecristo National Park (El Salvador)
- Cape Romain National Wildlife Park, SC
The image above is a representation of the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park in California (William 2010).
willow flycatcher 