BirdAnalyst
Species · BCR 24 · BBS 2025 Release · 1966–2024

Bald Eagle In Central Hardwoods

All regionsCentral HardwoodsGeneralists

Bald Eagle in Central Hardwoods has surged: up 966% on the route-weighted index since 2000.

+966%Since 2000TrendPercent 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 →
61Routes In RegionSurvey routesHow many standard-protocol BBS routes contributed counts. More routes means a steadier, better-sampled index; very thin coverage is suppressed.Full methodology →
24YearsYears surveyedNumber of years with at least one standard-protocol run in this geography. A longer record makes the trend more reliable.Full methodology →

Notable SignalsNotable 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 →

Bald Eagle has surged in Central Hardwoods: up 966% on the route-weighted index since 2000.

Bald Eagle In Central Hardwoods Population Forecast

If the recent trend holds, Bald Eagle in Central Hardwoods is projected to rise about 15% by 2029 — from 0.11 in 2024 to a central estimate of 0.12 (95% range 0.05–0.20). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±56.3%, with 20% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

+15%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 →
0.12Projected 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 →
0.05–0.2095% 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 →
±56.3%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, Bald Eagle in Central Hardwoods is projected to rise about 15% by 2029 — from 0.11 in 2024 to a central estimate of 0.12 (95% range 0.05–0.20). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±56.3%, with 20% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.19812029
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 →
20250.110.030.18
20260.110.040.19
20270.120.040.19
20280.120.040.20
20290.120.050.20

Routes In Central Hardwoods

Routes recording Bald Eagle in Central Hardwoods.
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 →
Wheeler DamALABAMA42023
Beaverdam LkILLINOIS32022
AkersMISSOURI32021
SwaimALABAMA22021
ElkmontALABAMA22021
TrianaALABAMA22012
PulaskiILLINOIS22022
ZionARKANSAS12021
Brnt PrairieILLINOIS12023
BremenILLINOIS12022
BelknapILLINOIS12018
DelwoodILLINOIS12011
YorkILLINOIS12023
BrownvilleILLINOIS12024
RoyaltonILLINOIS12019
KarnakILLINOIS12016
PimentoINDIANA12022
SpencerINDIANA12024
MillersburgINDIANA12019
Indian SpgsINDIANA12021
CelestineINDIANA12024
Clear SpringINDIANA12022
CorydonINDIANA12021
ScottsburgINDIANA12015
NewberryINDIANA12019

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