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Part of Vertebrate species indicators

Fish and wildlife indicators – Vertebrate species – Non-native species

Reporting on non-native vertebrate species in Alberta.

Overview

Non-native species that have been introduced to Alberta accidentally or deliberately are ranked exotic (also called alien) in Alberta’s general status assessment.

A small portion of non-native species is considered invasive. These species threaten the environment, economy or society as they compete with native species for resources, alter ecosystems, disrupt food sources and introduce parasites and disease. For more information on invasive species, visit:

Summary of key results

Among all 5 vertebrate groups, fish have the highest proportion (20%) of exotic species. No exotic amphibian or reptile species were known to be present in Alberta between 2000 and 2020 (Figure 1).

  • Bird species

    Among the 431 bird species present in Alberta in 2020, 424 (98%) were native and 7 species (2%) were exotic (Figure 1). Exotic birds identified were:

    • Eurasian Collared-dove (Streptopelia decaocto)
    • European Starling (Sturnus vulgaris)
    • Gray Partridge (Perdix perdix)
    • House Sparrow (Passer domesticus)
    • Ring-necked Pheasant (Phasianus colchicus)
    • Rock Pigeon (Columba livia)
    • Wild Turkey (Meleagris gallopavo)

  • Fish species

    Among the 65 fish species ranked in Alberta in 2020, 52 species (80%) were native and 13 species (20%) were exotic (Figure 1). Exotic fish identified were:

    • African Jewelfish (Hemichromis bimaculatus)
    • Brook Trout (Salvelinus fontinalis)
    • Brown Trout (Salmo trutta)
    • Dolly Varden (Salvelinus malma)
    • Golden Trout (Oncorhynchus aguabonita)
    • Goldfish (Carassius auratus)
    • Koi (Ciprinus rubrofuscus)
    • Prussian Carp (Carassius gibbelio)
    • Sailfin Molly (Poecilia latipinna)
    • Sockeye Salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka)
    • Smallmouth Bass (Micropterus dolomieu)
    • Threespine Stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus)
    • Western Mosquitofish (Gambusia affinis)

    Four exotic fish species (Goldfish, Koi, Prussian Carp and Western Mosquitofish) included in the 2020 general status assessment are considered invasive in Alberta. Additionally, Rosy Red Minnow, a colour variation of the native Fathead Minnow (Pimephales promelas), has been recently introduced to Alberta and is potentially invasive. For more information on invasive fish species, see:

    Over 20 additional, less common fish species are also declared invasive throughout Alberta under Item 1 of the Schedule in the Fisheries (Alberta) Act.

  • Mammal species

    Among the 97 mammal species ranked in Alberta in 2020, 89 species (92%) were native and 8 species (8%) were exotic (Figure 1). Exotic mammals identified were:

    • Black Rat (Rattus rattus)
    • Feral Cat (Felis catus)
    • Feral Dog (Canis familiaris)
    • Feral Horse (Equus caballus)
    • Gray Squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis)
    • House Mouse (Mus musculus)
    • Norway Rat (Rattus norvegicus)
    • Wild Boar (Sus scrofa)

    Two exotic mammal species, Norway Rat and Wild Boar, are considered invasive in Alberta. Both species are declared as pests throughout Alberta under Schedule 1 of the Agricultural Pests Act – Pest and Nuisance Control Regulation.

Charts

Figure 1. Number of native and exotic vertebrate species in Alberta in 2020

Chart data table
Group Native Exotic
Reptiles 9 0
Mammals 89 8
Fish 52 13
Birds 424 7
Amphibians 10 0
Source: Government of Alberta
Accessible chart description

Stacked bar graph showing the number of native and exotic vertebrate species for each of the 5 vertebrate classes, including amphibians, birds, fish, mammals and reptiles in 2020. No exotic amphibian or reptile species were present in Alberta in 2020. Fish show the highest proportion of exotic species (13 exotic fish, 20% of all fish), followed by mammals (8 exotic mammals, 8% of all mammals) and birds (7 exotic birds, 2% of all birds).