Canada Warbler

The Canada Warbler (Cardellina canadensis) is a migratory songbird whose breeding range extends from Northwestern Canada to the Southeastern United States. Across their breeding range, Canada Warblers have suffered persistent population declines, causing the species to be listed as threatened in Canada. 

With collaborators from Environment and Climate Change Canada, University of Georgia, Pennsylvania State University, University of Saskatchewan, Western University, Boise State University, University of Alberta, University of Manitoba, Université du Québec à Chicoutimi, Plymouth State University, SELVA, and the U.S. Geological Survey, we are have built an initial genoscape for the Canada Warbler. In total, we’ve identified the existence of 3 genetically distinct populations of the Canada Warbler – Eastern (blue), Northwestern (green), and Southern (red). We are still interested in exploring what factors are driving the variation we found.

We are actively seeking blood and feather samples from across the wintering range of the Canada Warbler. This will help us to better understand the full annual cycle of this long distance migrant, and provide a foundation for conservation and management.

Read below to learn about our work constructing the Canada Warbler genoscape:

Miller C, Bossu C, Sarraco J, Toews D, Rushing C, Roberto-Charron A, Tremblay JA, Chandler R, DeSaix M, Fiss C, Larkin J,  Haché S, Nebel S, and K Ruegg. 2023. Genomics-informed conservation units reveal spatial variation in climate vulnerability in a migratory bird. Molecular Ecology.

Check back later for access to the sequencing data.