BirdAnalyst
Species · North Dakota · BBS 2025 Release · 1966–2024

American Bittern Population Trend in North Dakota

All statesWetland birds

American Bittern in North Dakota has surged: up 104% on the route-weighted index since 1969.

+104%Since 1969
45Routes In State
57Years

Notable American Bittern Trends in North Dakota

long arc increasecomputed index

American Bittern has surged in North Dakota: up 104% on the route-weighted index since 1969.

American Bittern Population Forecast in North Dakota

If the recent trend holds, American Bittern in North Dakota is projected to fall about 18% by 2029 — from 2.6 in 2024 to a central estimate of 2.1 (95% range 0.84–3.4). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±50.9%, with 80% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

-18%Change by 2029
2.1Projected 2029 index
0.84–3.495% range
±50.9%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
20252.00.783.3
20262.10.793.3
20272.10.813.3
20282.10.833.4
20292.10.843.4

American Bittern Survey Routes in North Dakota

Routes recording American Bittern in North Dakota.
Danzig 21620242019
Cooperstown1120241969
Sheyenne Lk1020241980
Horsehead Lk920241980
Buchanan820241967
Lakota420091974
Lakota 2420242010
Forman320241968
Denbigh320221969
Bowman320231967
Edgeley220241987
Bowesmont220111969
Webster220221992
Niles220231992
Regan220221970
Carpio220231970
Loraine220191994
Stanley220181972
Lark219821969
Gorham220071975
Powers Lake220231980
Braddock220221988
Walcott120141974
Sydney119811968
Lake George120211967

American Bittern Population Trend in Other States

alaskacaliforniacoloradoconnecticutdelawarefloridageorgiaidahoillinoisindianaiowakansaslouisianamainemarylandmassachusettsmichiganminnesotamississippimissourimontananebraskanevadanew-hampshirenew-jerseynew-mexiconew-yorkohiooklahomaoregonpennsylvaniasouth-carolinasouth-dakotatexasutahvermontvirginiawashingtonwest-virginiawisconsinwyoming

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