BirdAnalyst
Species · Nebraska · BBS 2026 Release · 1966–2025

American Bittern Population Trend in Nebraska

All statesWetland birds

American Bittern in Nebraska has surged: up 275% on the route-weighted index since 1972.

+275%Since 1972TrendPercent change in the route-weighted abundance index between a smoothed baseline window and the most recent one. It tracks direction, not absolute population.Full methodology →
15Routes In StateSurvey routesHow many standard-protocol BBS routes contributed counts. More routes means a steadier, better-sampled index; very thin coverage is suppressed.Full methodology →
49YearsYears surveyedNumber of years with at least one standard-protocol run in this geography. A longer record makes the trend more reliable.Full methodology →

Notable American Bittern Trends in NebraskaNotable signalsLong-arc shifts the engine flags automatically — sustained declines or increases large enough to stand out from year-to-year noise.Full methodology →

long arc increasecomputed indexTrend sourceWhether the figure is our own computed route-weighted index or an official USGS modeled estimate. The current build labels every trend as computed.Full methodology →

American Bittern has surged in Nebraska: up 275% on the route-weighted index since 1972.

American Bittern Population Forecast in Nebraska

If the recent trend holds, American Bittern in Nebraska is projected to rise about 180% by 2030 — from 0.13 in 2025 to a central estimate of 0.37 (95% range 0.00–0.76). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±106.3%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

+180%Change by 2030TrendPercent change in the route-weighted abundance index between a smoothed baseline window and the most recent one. It tracks direction, not absolute population.Full methodology →
0.37Projected 2030 indexProjected indexThe central forecast of the abundance index if the recent trend continues. A projection of the current trajectory, not a prediction.Full methodology →
0.00–0.7695% range95% rangeThe 95% uncertainty band around the projection at the forecast horizon. The true value should land inside it most of the time.Full methodology →
±106.3%Backtest errorBacktest errorTypical error when we hold out the most recent years, forecast them, and compare to what actually happened. Lower means a more trustworthy projection.Full methodology →
If the recent trend holds, American Bittern in Nebraska is projected to rise about 180% by 2030 — from 0.13 in 2025 to a central estimate of 0.37 (95% range 0.00–0.76). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±106.3%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.19672030
Projection of the recent trend (dashed) with 80/95% bands — a projection, not a prediction. Habitat, climate, and land use are not modeled.
YearProjected indexProjected indexThe central forecast of the abundance index if the recent trend continues. A projection of the current trajectory, not a prediction.Full methodology →95% low95% rangeThe 95% uncertainty band around the projection at the forecast horizon. The true value should land inside it most of the time.Full methodology →95% high95% rangeThe 95% uncertainty band around the projection at the forecast horizon. The true value should land inside it most of the time.Full methodology →
20260.360.000.75
20270.360.000.75
20280.370.000.76
20290.370.000.76
20300.370.000.76

American Bittern Survey Routes in Nebraska

Routes recording American Bittern in Nebraska.
Recent countThe raw number of individuals recorded on this route in its most recent survey year. A single-route tally, not a trend.Full methodology →
Bassett620242019
Crescent Lk320251980
Kennedy320241993
Wheeler Co220251978
Kearney119741974
Murray Lake120112011
Brownlee120251994
Mullen120172017
Gretna119721972
Irvington119701970
Surprise119721972
Nenzel120222022
Midway120222022
Swan Lake120251984
Piester Lake120251967

American Bittern Population Trend in Other States

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

Source: USGS North American Breeding Bird Survey, retrieved 2026-08-14.