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Species · Idaho · BBS 2025 Release · 1966–2024

American White Pelican Population Trend in Idaho

All statesWetland birds

American White Pelican in Idaho has fallen sharply: down 52% on the route-weighted index since 1981.

-52%Since 1981TrendPercent 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 →
16Routes 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 →
40YearsYears 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 White Pelican Trends in IdahoNotable 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 declinecomputed 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 White Pelican has fallen sharply in Idaho: down 52% on the route-weighted index since 1981.

American White Pelican Population Forecast in Idaho

If the recent trend holds, American White Pelican in Idaho is projected to rise about 201% by 2029 — from 0.12 in 2024 to a central estimate of 0.36 (95% range 0.00–2.0). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±89.4%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

+201%Change by 2029TrendPercent 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 →
0.36Projected 2029 indexProjected indexThe central forecast of the abundance index if the recent trend continues. A projection of the current trajectory, not a prediction.Full methodology →
0.00–2.095% 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 →
±89.4%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 White Pelican in Idaho is projected to rise about 201% by 2029 — from 0.12 in 2024 to a central estimate of 0.36 (95% range 0.00–2.0). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±89.4%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.19782029
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 →
20250.450.002.1
20260.420.002.1
20270.400.002.1
20280.380.002.1
20290.360.002.0

American White Pelican Survey Routes in Idaho

Routes recording American White Pelican in Idaho.
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 →
Henry4019831978
Crane Creek1120161995
Blackft Res1020181986
Ririe920052005
Mud Lake820212021
Circular Bu620052005
Springfield620171986
Naples520222022
Cabarton420231990
Cedar Hill320241992
Iron Springs219961996
Picabo220212011
Daniels Res120191988
Preston120121989
Pasadena Val120161990
Bates120112011

American White Pelican Population Trend in Other States

alabamaarkansascaliforniacoloradoiowakansaslouisianaminnesotamontananebraskanevadanew-mexiconorth-dakotaoklahomaoregonsouth-dakotatexasutahwashingtonwisconsinwyoming

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