The Canadian population of Yellow-headed Blackbird is monitored best by the Breeding Bird Survey (BBS), which samples most of the breeding range, is well-suited to the species, and has high precision. The national trend shows long-term fluctuations, increasing from the early 1970s to a peak in the late 1980s, dropping to a low in the early 2000s, and increasing substantially again since around 2010. However, this rebound has occurred only in the Prairie provinces. In British Columbia, the population has declined steadily since around 1990 and is nearly back down to early 1970s levels.

The goal for Yellow-headed Blackbird is to remain at or above its recent population level, based on the Breeding Bird Survey. Trend data show that Yellow-headed Blackbird is currently within its goal range.