BirdAnalyst
Species · Minnesota · BBS 2025 Release · 1966–2024

American Bittern Population Trend in Minnesota

All statesWetland birds

American Bittern in Minnesota has fallen sharply: down 74% on the route-weighted index since 1969.

-74%Since 1969
75Routes In State
57Years

Notable American Bittern Trends in Minnesota

long arc declinecomputed index

American Bittern has fallen sharply in Minnesota: down 74% on the route-weighted index since 1969.

American Bittern Population Forecast in Minnesota

If the recent trend holds, American Bittern in Minnesota is projected to fall about 71% by 2029 — from 0.33 in 2024 to a central estimate of 0.09 (95% range 0.00–0.70). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±53.6%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

-71%Change by 2029
0.09Projected 2029 index
0.00–0.7095% range
±53.6%Backtest error
19672029
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
20250.150.000.76
20260.140.000.75
20270.120.000.73
20280.110.000.72
20290.090.000.70

American Bittern Survey Routes in Minnesota

Routes recording American Bittern in Minnesota.
Bemidji1319671967
Chisholm920242023
Bigfork620211999
Greenbush520241993
Sherry Lake420221969
Lake Bronson420111979
Grygla320111979
Nett Lake320182016
Sherburne Nr220241993
Chandler219841969
Courtland219911978
Maynard219691969
Princeton219901969
Chokio220221969
Mille Lacs220151968
Pine River220151969
Tenney219801980
Hovland220191976
Sawbill Lndg220191989
Erie220101979
Chokio North220141993
Bagley219981995
Warroad220161993
Money Creek119851985
Hartland120122012

American Bittern Population Trend in Other States

alaskacaliforniacoloradoconnecticutdelawarefloridageorgiaidahoillinoisindianaiowakansaslouisianamainemarylandmassachusettsmichiganmississippimissourimontananebraskanevadanew-hampshirenew-jerseynew-mexiconew-yorknorth-dakotaohiooklahomaoregonpennsylvaniasouth-carolinasouth-dakotatexasutahvermontvirginiawashingtonwest-virginiawisconsinwyoming

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