Guild · Maryland · BBS 2025 Release · 1966–2024

Wetland Birds In Maryland

21 species in this guild. As a group they are -25% since 1968.

Guild Signals

No notable trend signals for wetland birds in Maryland. See the full index history below.

Forecast

If the recent trend holds, Wetland birds in Maryland is projected to rise about 173% by 2029 — from 0.47 in 2024 to a central estimate of 1.3 (95% range 0.13–2.5). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±93%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

+173%Change by 2029
1.3Projected 2029 index
0.132.595% range
±93%Backtest error
19662029
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
20251.30.112.5
20261.30.112.5
20271.30.122.5
20281.30.122.5
20291.30.132.5

Member Species In Maryland

Wetland birds species in Maryland.
Western Cattle-EgretArdeidae-83%
Black-crowned Night HeronArdeidae-75%
Forster's TernLaridae-62%
Common TernLaridae-54%
Green HeronArdeidae-45%
Laughing GullLaridae-38%
Least TernLaridae-34%
Common GallinuleRallidae-27%
Little Blue HeronArdeidae-19%
Great Black-backed GullLaridae+6%
Virginia RailRallidae+51%
King RailRallidae+85%
Snowy EgretArdeidae+93%
Great Blue HeronArdeidae+99%
Great EgretArdeidae+117%
Herring GullLaridae+119%
Least BitternArdeidae+182%
Double-crested CormorantPhalacrocoracidae+683%
Glossy IbisThreskiornithidae+804%
Ring-billed GullLaridae11×
Clapper RailRallidae14×

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