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

Bald Eagle Population Trend in Florida

All statesGeneralists

Bald Eagle in Florida has surged: up 506% on the route-weighted index since 1970.

+506%Since 1970TrendPercent 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 →
74Routes 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 →
51YearsYears surveyedNumber of years with at least one standard-protocol run in this geography. A longer record makes the trend more reliable.Full methodology →

Notable Bald Eagle Trends in FloridaNotable 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 Florida: up 506% on the route-weighted index since 1970.

Bald Eagle Population Forecast in Florida

If the recent trend holds, Bald Eagle in Florida is projected to rise about 160% by 2029 — from 0.10 in 2024 to a central estimate of 0.27 (95% range 0.15–0.40). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±68.1%, with 80% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

+160%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 →
0.27Projected 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 →
0.15–0.4095% 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 →
±68.1%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 Florida is projected to rise about 160% by 2029 — from 0.10 in 2024 to a central estimate of 0.27 (95% range 0.15–0.40). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±68.1%, with 80% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.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 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 →
20250.260.130.38
20260.260.140.39
20270.270.140.39
20280.270.140.40
20290.270.150.40

Bald Eagle Survey Routes in Florida

Routes recording Bald Eagle in Florida.
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 →
St Vincent I420111996
Port St Joe320111989
Lake Buffum220181989
Croom220231990
Hilliard220232023
Tamiami219711971
Pleasant Grove 2220222014
Shawano 2220042004
Sandy220151995
Dupuis W.E.A220221994
Clewiston220232015
Citrus220122012
Myakka Head 2220182018
Indiantown 2120242018
Blountstown120082006
Broad Branch120172017
Punta Gorda120101986
Flamingo120231983
Apalachicola120182018
Covington119971997
Lovedale120112006
Belmont120231989
Romeo120191987
Ft Gadsden120141975
Dale Mabry119861986

Bald Eagle Population Trend in Other States

alabamaalaskaarizonaarkansascaliforniacoloradoconnecticutdelawaregeorgiaidahoillinoisindianaiowakansaskentuckylouisianamainemarylandmassachusettsmichiganminnesotamississippimissourimontananebraskanevadanew-hampshirenew-jerseynew-mexiconew-yorknorth-carolinanorth-dakotaohiooklahomaoregonpennsylvaniasouth-carolinasouth-dakotatennesseetexasutahvermontvirginiawashingtonwest-virginiawisconsinwyoming

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