The Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) provides the best data on Bobolink in Canada as it samples most of the breeding range, is well-suited to detecting the species, and has high precision in its estimates. After increasing gradually from the early 1970s to early 1980s, the population declined sharply over the following decade and has continued to decrease more slowly ever since. The data show a total loss of nearly 80% since 1970. This pattern is consistent across most of Canada, with the only notable exception being in the southern parts of the Prairie provinces where there have been some fluctuations over time but little change overall since 1970.

The goal for Bobolink is to increase the population to the level it was at in the early 1970s, based on the Breeding Bird Survey. Bobolink is currently below its goal range and continuing to decline. Analysis considering the historical population loss and recent trend suggests that it is unlikely that the goal can be met by 2050, so the interim target is to reach 35% of the goal by 2050. Achieving this target, and ultimately reaching the national goal for this species, will require deliberate conservation action. This goal is more ambitious than that of the Recovery Strategy under the Species at Risk Act, which aims for stabilization of the population by 2031 and at minimum maintaining that level of abundance into the future (ECCC, 2022).