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Once common throughout southwestern Manitoba and occurring as
far east as Winnipeg and north to Swan River, Manitoba’s
burrowing owl populations have undergone a rather steep and
continuous decline since the 1930's. A 1978 estimate placed
Manitoba’s population at 110 pairs, but surveys from 1982 to
1984 revealed further declines from 76 to 35 known nesting pairs.
Extensive management efforts were undertaken during the late 1980s
and early 1990s, including increased public awareness, protecting
critical nesting areas, providing safer artificial nest burrows
and re-introductions. But faced with reduced nesting success due
to several wet, cool summers and a multitude of other limiting
factors, populations continued to decline.
In most years from 1997 through 2002, there have been 0-3 known
nesting pairs in the province. Although apparently suitable
habitat remains and many historic nesting sites remain virtually
unchanged, many experts feel that the burrowing owl may not be
able to cope with immense alteration of the grassland ecosystem
that has occurred throughout North America during the 20th
century. These alterations have not only resulted in reduced
nesting success and increased mortality on the nesting grounds,
but have affected survival of adults and young during migration
and on the wintering range. Currently considered Endangered under
the Manitoba Endangered Species Act, the burrowing owl is on the
brink of becoming extirpated in this province and throughout the
Canadian prairies.
For more information on the burrowing owl, please see the Conservation
Data Centre Field Guide or view the Manitoba's
Species at Risk brochure (PDF document, 294 KB).
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