The best source of information on the population status of Rufous Hummingbird is the Breeding Bird Survey (BBS). Although the BBS may sample slightly less than half of the Canadian breeding range, precision in the long-term trends is high and overall reliability of the BBS is considered medium. BBS data indicate a steady decline beginning in the mid-1970s, amounting to a large decrease of nearly two-thirds. Moderate or large declines have occurred in all Canadian Bird Conservation Regions where Rufous Hummingbird breeds.

The goal for Rufous Hummingbird is to increase the population to the level it was at in the early 1970s, based on the Breeding Bird Survey. Trend data show that Rufous Hummingbird is currently below its goal range and declining at an accelerating rate. 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 50% of the goal by 2050. Achieving this target, and ultimately reaching the national goal for this species, will require deliberate conservation action.