THREATENED AND ENDANGERED PLANTS AND ANIMALS IN MIXED-GRASS PRAIRIE

Manitoba's Endangered Species Act (1990) protects plant and animal species that are considered endangered or threatened within Manitoba. Under the Act, native species threatened with extinction are classified as "endangered". Native species likely to become endangered or found in low numbers are classified as "threatened". A species is considered "vulnerable" if it is found in low numbers or restricted areas but is not yet threatened. Vulnerable species are not protected under the Act. The following mixed-grass prairie species are recognized and protected as endangered or threatened in Manitoba.

Small white lady's slipper (Cypripedium candidum)

The small white lady's slipper is an endangered orchid found in wet meadows in fewer than 10 locations in southern Manitoba. It grows in clumps, blooming briefly in late May or early June. Like many orchids, the small white lady's slipper cannot reproduce without the presence of a companion fungus, nor can the mature plants live without a symbiotic fungus found within its root system. It is unlawful to pick, dig or disturb the surroundings of this plant.

Baird's Sparrow
(Ammodramus bairdii)

The Baird's Sparrow is well camouflaged to blend into its prairie environment. It can be difficult to find, but its call, two to three zips followed by a musical trill, is distinctive. It nests on the ground in idle or lightly grazed native mixed-grass prairie. Formerly common throughout southern Manitoba, they are now restricted to the southwest corner of the province.

Burrowing Owl
(Athene cunicularia)

The Burrowing Owl prefers grazed pastures or mixed grass prairie. Unlike any other North American owl, it nests below ground, occupying abandoned ground-squirrel burrows. Once common to the grasslands of western Canada, the Burrowing Owl can no longer be found in large portions of its historic range. In Manitoba, the known nesting population had dwindled to four pairs by 1995. The loss of nesting habitat and the poisoning of owls by insecticides intended to control grasshoppers have contributed to their decline.

Ferruginous Hawk
(Buteo regalis)

The largest North American hawk, the Ferruginous Hawk is often seen soaring above the open grasslands searching for ground-squirrels. Ferruginous hawks usually nest in isolated trees, building large flat nests. A breeding pair of Ferruginous Hawks and their young will eat almost 500 ground-squirrels during a nesting season. After a suspected absence of some 50 years, Ferruginous Hawks were found nesting in southwestern Manitoba in 1982. Since then, the nesting population has grown to about 50 pairs.

Loggerhead Shrike
(Lanius ludovicanus)

The Loggerhead Shrike lives primarily in open shrubby country and dry upland prairie. The shrike is known for its practice of impaling its food (grasshoppers, insects or rodents) on thorns and barbed wire. Loss of grasslands and shrub lands, combined with the accumulation of pesticides in the food chain are the main reasons for their decline.