Species of Greatest Conservation Need

Written By: Meagan THomas

Birds are a well-studied taxonomic group that have benefited from extensive research, surveys, and population monitoring at various geographic scales. Although these efforts have not been implemented evenly across all species, they have produced information that allow for a data-driven approach to the identification of priority species that require conservation attention to persist in the Commonwealth. These species were classified as Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN) by the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources in 2024 in conjunction with the development of the 2025 Wildlife Action Plan.

Selection of breeding SGCN for the 2025 Wildlife Action Plan was based on current knowledge of population trends and sizes within the Commonwealth. Species omitted from consideration for SGCN designation include those that fell into one or more of the following categories: introduced non-native species, species with recent range expansions into Virginia, occasional/casual/not established breeders, and species that never bred in abundance/were never significant breeders in Virginia.

Explanation of SGCN Tiers

Within the SGCN list, species are classified into four tiers that were developed to identify the relative importance of conservation need for each species. Species for which key information was missing, such that they could not be properly evaluated or included in the SGCN list, were classified as “Assessment Priority Species”. For further information on the methods and criteria used to assign these tiers, please see the 2025 Wildlife Action Plan’s “Criteria for Avian SGCN” section.

All numbers in parentheses below represent breeding pairs.

Tier I, Critical Conservation Need: Faces an extremely high risk of extinction or extirpation. Populations of these species are at critically low levels, facing immediate threat(s), or occur within an extremely limited range. Intense and immediate management action is needed. This tier includes extremely small populations (<100) and small populations (<500) with significant declines.

Tier II, Very High Conservation Need: Has a high risk of extinction or extirpation. Populations of these species are at very low levels, facing real threat(s), or occur within a very limited distribution. Immediate management is needed for stabilization and recovery. This tier includes small populations (<500) with moderate declines and medium-sized populations (<5,000) with significant declines.

Tier III, High Conservation Need: Extinction or extirpation is possible. Populations of these species are in decline, have declined to low levels, or are in a restricted range. Management action is needed to stabilize or increase populations. This tier includes all remaining small populations (<500); medium-sized populations (<5,000) with moderate declines, and large populations (>5,000) with significant declines.

Tier IV, Moderate Conservation Need: The species may be rare in parts of its range, particularly on the periphery. Populations of these species have demonstrated a significant declining trend or one is suspected which, if continued, is likely to qualify this species for a higher priority tier in the foreseeable future. Long-term planning is necessary to stabilize or increase populations. This tier includes large populations (>5,000) with moderate declines and very large populations (>100,000) with significant declines.

Assessment Priority Species: Species for which a population trend could not be determined. These included species whose population trends had credibility issues or were not representative of Virginia at any geographic scale, and for which a qualitative trend value (increasing, stable, decreasing) could not be assigned based on professional opinion.

Conservation Opportunity Rankings

The Piping Plover, a charming breeder of the Eastern Shore, has undergone significant population declines in the past decade. © Lynda Richardson/DWR

Each of the tiered SGCN was given a Conservation Opportunity Rank (COR). This prioritization scheme helps conservationists focus attention on species with specific management needs and opportunities. While these ranks help guide more fiscally responsible expenditures, they also help in the identification of species-specific knowledge gaps in need of filling. By focusing research efforts on “b” and “c” species, the proportion of SGCN classified as “a” should increase with every revision.

Opportunity Rank a: Managers have identified “on the ground” species or habitat management strategies expected to benefit the species; at least some of which can be implemented with existing resources and are expected to have a reasonable chance of improving the species’ conservation status.

Opportunity Rank b: Managers have only identified research needs for the species or managers have only identified “on the ground” conservation actions that cannot be implemented due to lack of personnel, funding, or other circumstance.

Opportunity Rank c: Managers have failed to identify “on the ground” actions or research needs that could benefit this species or its habitat or all identified conservation opportunities for a species have been exhausted.

The table below lists the 78 breeding species in Virginia that are designated a SGCN or an Assessment Priority Species.