Guild · California · BBS 2025 Release · 1966–2024

Waterfowl In California

17 species in this guild. As a group they are +65% since 1970.

Guild Signals

No notable trend signals for waterfowl in California. See the full index history below.

Forecast

If the recent trend holds, Waterfowl in California is projected to rise about 101% by 2029 — from 0.78 in 2024 to a central estimate of 1.6 (95% range 0.46–2.7). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±122.2%, with 60% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

+101%Change by 2029
1.6Projected 2029 index
0.462.795% range
±122.2%Backtest error
19682029
Projection of the recent trend (dashed) with 80/95% bands — a projection, not a prediction. Habitat, climate, and land use are not modeled.
YearProjected index95% low95% high
20251.50.422.6
20261.50.432.6
20271.50.442.7
20281.60.452.7
20291.60.462.7

Member Species In California

Waterfowl species in California.
Cinnamon TealAnatidae-79%
American WigeonAnatidae-75%
Northern PintailAnatidae-59%
Common MerganserAnatidae-53%
CanvasbackAnatidae-9%
Northern ShovelerAnatidae+20%
Lesser ScaupAnatidae+24%
Wood DuckAnatidae+24%
Ruddy DuckAnatidae+42%
BuffleheadAnatidae+112%
RedheadAnatidae+122%
MallardAnatidae+135%
Blue-winged TealAnatidae+165%
Green-winged TealAnatidae+235%
Canada GooseAnatidae+524%
Ring-necked DuckAnatidae+903%
GadwallAnatidae11×

Source: USGS North American Breeding Bird Survey, retrieved 2026-05-22.