Horned Grebe

Podiceps auritus

General Status Rank: 
Sensitive
ELCODE: 
ABNCA03010
Common Name: 
Horned Grebe
Scientific Name: 
Podiceps auritus
Google image search
Taxonomy
Group: 
Bird
Kingdom: 
Animalia
Phylum: 
Chordata
Class: 
Aves
Order: 
Podicipediformes
Family: 
Podicipedidae
References: 
B004
General Biology

Female Age at Maturity

unknown - probably 1 year
References: 
H108

Longevity

unknown
References: 
H108

Economic/Human Considerations

none
References: 
H108
Habitat
small to medium sized ponds and shallow bays of lakes
References: 
B004
H108
MAF1
Distribution

Ecozones

Southern Arctic, Taiga Cordillera, Taiga Plains, Taiga Shield, Boreal Cordillera, Boreal Plains
References: 
B004

Distribution

100/164 (0.61)widely distributed but densities highly variable (B004); range covers ~65% of total NT area (range extent visually estimated from range map in "Distribution of birds in NWT & Nunavut: 2009 Review" (CWS))
Score: 
G
References: 
B004
Winter Distribution Description: 
coastal from southern Canada to southern US

Number of Occurrences

large, if individual nest sites (ponds or lakes) are considered occurrences then >100 in Yellowknife region alone
Score: 
DE
References: 
B004
MAF2

Historical Distribution

most areas within treeline
References: 
H108

Area of Occupancy

no data available but presumed stable due to lack of threats to regional breeding habitat
Score: 
-
References: 
MAF1
H228
R192
H308
Population

Population Size

western population estimated between 200,000-500,000 (SARA registry accessed Jan 30, 2015). HOGR in NT make up 10% of the western population (http://www.enr.gov.nt.ca/state-environment/162-trends-nwt-populations-species-risk-canada)
Score: 
F
References: 
B004
MAF2
R192

Density

mostly pairs - sometimes 2 or 3 pairs - rarely semi-colonial
Trends

Trends

National trend indicates significant declines (MAF1); Significant long term population decline nationally (1.5%/year from 1966-2005 based on CBC data), with no evidence that trend will be reversed in the near future. Yellowknife Study Area (YKSA) data suggest numbers apparently stable in the NWT with no indication of a declining population trend, although considerable interannual variability exists (J. Hines in COSEWIC 2009).(R192); Despite declining population trends in the southern portion of HOGR range (CBC data), population is apparently stable in NT (Yellowknife Study Area (YKSA) data suggest numbers apparently stable in the NWT with no indication of a declining population trend, although considerable interannual variability exists, CWS unpublished data)H
Score: 
FG
References: 
MAF1
H228
R192
H308
Threats

Threats

ice-storms during migration, oil spills and other pollutants on wintering areas, loss of habitat in southern portions of range, threats on migration and wintering areas could have significant impacts on pops. in NWT in future(R192); climate change may cause a loss to breeding habitat due to drought and changes in water quality
Score: 
B
References: 
H108
MAF1
R192

Intrinsic Vulnerability

oil spills and other pollution of wintering habitat - in NT limited - localized wetland drainage and alteration. moulting and staging areas completely unknown but some probably occur in NWT and threats cannot be assessed
Score: 
-
References: 
H108
MAF1
R192
General Status Rank
Rank: 
Sensitive
Status Rank Description: 
Recent assessment by COSEWIC has listed the Western Population of the Horned Grebe as “Special Concern”. Assessment based on significant long term population decline nationally (1.5%/year from 1966-2005 based on CBC data), with no evidence that trend will be reversed in the near future. Yellowknife Study Area (YKSA) data suggest numbers apparently stable in the NWT with no indication of a declining population trend, although considerable interannual variability exists (J. Hines in COSEWIC 2009). Change in ranking based on COSEWIC assessment and status.
S Rank: 
S3
Decision Process Description: 
Drafted by Committee, Vicky Jonhston, Leslie Wakelyn, Suzanne Carriere, Jim Hines, Mike Fournier in 2000; Reviewed in 2005 by J. Hines and C. Swoboda, no change in status. Modified in 2009 to Sensitive from secure based on COSEWIC assessment of Special Concern (2009), may need a detailed assessment in the NWT.; Reviewed in 2010;no change; Reviewed by Ian Fife and Cindy Wood CWS in 2015, no change
Last Updated: 
October 17, 2017
Status Designations

NWT - Assessment by Species at Risk Committee

NWT SARC Assessment: 
Not Applicable
Species under federal jurisdiction

NWT - Species at Risk Legal Status

NWT Status Rank: 
Not Applicable
Species under federal jurisdiction

Canada – Assessment by Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada

COSEWIC Status: 
Special Concern
Part of Western population in Canada- 2009; Designated Special Concern in April 2009. Assessment based on a new status report. COSEWIC. 2009. COSEWIC assessment and status report on the Horned Grebe Podiceps auritus, Western population and Magdalen Islands population, in Canada. Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada. Ottawa. vii + 42 pp.
References: 
R184

Canada – Species at Risk Legal Status

SARA Status: 
Special Concern
2017

References

Age Of Maturity

  • Fournier M.A. (1999) Personal Communication. - H108 Return

Area of Occupancy

  • Fournier, M.A. and J.E. Hines (1999) Breeding ecology of the Horned Grebe Podiceps auritus in subarctic wetlands. Canadian Wildlife Service Occasional Paper No. 99 - MAF1 Return
  • Amer, Lindsay (2009) CWS Review: General Species Rankings for NT - Birds E-mail to S Carriere (16/09/2009). Lindsay Armer, Ornis oikos Consulting, 950 Westmount Court, Bathurst NB, E2A 4V9; Phone (506) 545-7261; Email: linds.armer@mac.com - H228 Return
  • COSEWIC, (2009) COSEWIC assessment and status report on the Horned Grebe Podiceps auritus, Western population and Magdalen Islands population, in Canada.. (www.sararegistry.gc.ca/status/status_e.cfm) - R192 Return
  • Cindy Wood and Ian Fife (2015) e-copy - H308 Return
COSEWIC Status
  • COSEWIC (2009) COSEWIC Status Report on Horned Grebe. Environment Canada in COSEWIC binder - see SARA Registry - R184 Return

Economic Status

  • Fournier M.A. (1999) Personal Communication. - H108 Return

Ecozones

  • Godfrey WE (1986) The Birds of Canada. National Museums of Canada Revised Edition RWED Library Call #QL685.G6 - B004 Return

Habitat

  • Godfrey WE (1986) The Birds of Canada. National Museums of Canada Revised Edition RWED Library Call #QL685.G6 - B004 Return
  • Fournier M.A. (1999) Personal Communication. - H108 Return
  • Fournier, M.A. and J.E. Hines (1999) Breeding ecology of the Horned Grebe Podiceps auritus in subarctic wetlands. Canadian Wildlife Service Occasional Paper No. 99 - MAF1 Return

Historical Distribution

  • Fournier M.A. (1999) Personal Communication. - H108 Return

Intrinsic Vulnerability

  • Fournier M.A. (1999) Personal Communication. - H108 Return
  • Fournier, M.A. and J.E. Hines (1999) Breeding ecology of the Horned Grebe Podiceps auritus in subarctic wetlands. Canadian Wildlife Service Occasional Paper No. 99 - MAF1 Return
  • COSEWIC, (2009) COSEWIC assessment and status report on the Horned Grebe Podiceps auritus, Western population and Magdalen Islands population, in Canada.. (www.sararegistry.gc.ca/status/status_e.cfm) - R192 Return

Longevity

  • Fournier M.A. (1999) Personal Communication. - H108 Return

NWT Known Subspecies

American Ornithologists' Union (1998) Check-List of North American Birds. A.O.U. Seventh Edition - MAF6 Return

Number of Occurrences

  • Godfrey WE (1986) The Birds of Canada. National Museums of Canada Revised Edition RWED Library Call #QL685.G6 - B004 Return
  • Fournier, M.A. and J.E. Hines (1998) Breeding ecology and status of the Red-necked Grebe Podiceps grisegena in the subarctic of the Northwest Territories. Canadian Field-Naturalist 112(3):474-480 - MAF2 Return

Population Size

Godfrey WE (1986) The Birds of Canada. National Museums of Canada Revised Edition RWED Library Call #QL685.G6 - B004 Return
,
Fournier, M.A. and J.E. Hines (1998) Breeding ecology and status of the Red-necked Grebe Podiceps grisegena in the subarctic of the Northwest Territories. Canadian Field-Naturalist 112(3):474-480 - MAF2 Return
,
COSEWIC, (2009) COSEWIC assessment and status report on the Horned Grebe Podiceps auritus, Western population and Magdalen Islands population, in Canada.. (www.sararegistry.gc.ca/status/status_e.cfm) - R192 Return

Range Extent

  • Godfrey WE (1986) The Birds of Canada. National Museums of Canada Revised Edition RWED Library Call #QL685.G6 - B004 Return

Short Term Trends

  • Fournier, M.A. and J.E. Hines (1999) Breeding ecology of the Horned Grebe Podiceps auritus in subarctic wetlands. Canadian Wildlife Service Occasional Paper No. 99 - MAF1 Return
  • Amer, Lindsay (2009) CWS Review: General Species Rankings for NT - Birds E-mail to S Carriere (16/09/2009). Lindsay Armer, Ornis oikos Consulting, 950 Westmount Court, Bathurst NB, E2A 4V9; Phone (506) 545-7261; Email: linds.armer@mac.com - H228 Return
  • COSEWIC, (2009) COSEWIC assessment and status report on the Horned Grebe Podiceps auritus, Western population and Magdalen Islands population, in Canada.. (www.sararegistry.gc.ca/status/status_e.cfm) - R192 Return
  • Cindy Wood and Ian Fife (2015) e-copy - H308 Return

Taxonomy

  • Godfrey WE (1986) The Birds of Canada. National Museums of Canada Revised Edition RWED Library Call #QL685.G6 - B004 Return

Threats

  • Fournier M.A. (1999) Personal Communication. - H108 Return
  • Fournier, M.A. and J.E. Hines (1999) Breeding ecology of the Horned Grebe Podiceps auritus in subarctic wetlands. Canadian Wildlife Service Occasional Paper No. 99 - MAF1 Return
  • COSEWIC, (2009) COSEWIC assessment and status report on the Horned Grebe Podiceps auritus, Western population and Magdalen Islands population, in Canada.. (www.sararegistry.gc.ca/status/status_e.cfm) - R192 Return