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

American White Pelican Population Trend in Washington

All statesWetland birds

American White Pelican in Washington has held roughly steady: down 0% on the route-weighted index since 1996.

-0%Since 1996TrendPercent 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 →
27YearsYears 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 WashingtonNotable signalsLong-arc shifts the engine flags automatically — sustained declines or increases large enough to stand out from year-to-year noise.Full methodology →

No notable trend signals for American White Pelican in Washington. See the full index history below.

American White Pelican Population Forecast in Washington

If the recent trend holds, American White Pelican in Washington is projected to rise about 166% by 2029 — from 0.19 in 2024 to a central estimate of 0.51 (95% range 0.00–1.1). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±54.8%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

+166%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 →
0.51Projected 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 →
0.00–1.195% 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 →
±54.8%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 Washington is projected to rise about 166% by 2029 — from 0.19 in 2024 to a central estimate of 0.51 (95% range 0.00–1.1). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±54.8%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.19912029
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 →
20250.490.001.1
20260.500.001.1
20270.500.001.1
20280.510.001.1
20290.510.001.1

American White Pelican Survey Routes in Washington

Routes recording American White Pelican in Washington.
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 →
Hanford Site4719961991
Brewster1120092009
Bunker Hill820212018
Columbia Nwr820222002
Nighthawk520081992
Yakima520242003
Wapato520182013
Horn Rapids520242005
Potholes520162016
Turnbull Nwr320212018
Ewan 2320232023
Odessa220222022
Selah120172017
Scootney Reservoir120212019
Keystone120241996

American White Pelican Population Trend in Other States

alabamaarkansascaliforniacoloradoidahoiowakansaslouisianaminnesotamontananebraskanevadanew-mexiconorth-dakotaoklahomaoregonsouth-dakotatexasutahwisconsinwyoming

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