Species · Massachusetts · BBS 2025 Release · 1966–2024

American Bittern Population Trend in Massachusetts

American Bittern in Massachusetts has declined: down 28% on the route-weighted index since 1972.

-28%Since 1972
12Routes In State
22Years

Notable American Bittern Trends in Massachusetts

No notable trend signals for American Bittern in Massachusetts. See the full index history below.

American Bittern Population Forecast in Massachusetts

If the recent trend holds, American Bittern in Massachusetts is projected to fall about 26% by 2028 — from 0.08 in 2023 to a central estimate of 0.06 (95% range 0.00–0.13). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±36.4%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

-26%Change by 2028
0.06Projected 2028 index
0.000.1395% range
±36.4%Backtest error
19692028
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
20240.060.000.14
20250.060.000.14
20260.060.000.13
20270.060.000.13
20280.060.000.13

American Bittern Survey Routes in Massachusetts

Routes recording American Bittern in Massachusetts.
E Dennis119741974
Ware River119941994
Prattville119721972
Newburyport120081985
Maynard119961996
E Pepperell119891975
N Orange120231972
Chesterfield120081971
Cheshire119691969
Warren 2120172017
Sheffield120002000
Monterey120192019

American Bittern Population Trend in Other States

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