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

Bald Eagle Population Trend in Iowa

All statesGeneralists

Bald Eagle in Iowa has surged: up 306% on the route-weighted index since 2002.

+306%Since 2002
17Routes In State
20Years

Notable Bald Eagle Trends in Iowa

long arc increasecomputed index

Bald Eagle has surged in Iowa: up 306% on the route-weighted index since 2002.

Bald Eagle Population Forecast in Iowa

If the recent trend holds, Bald Eagle in Iowa is projected to stay roughly flat through 2029, near 0.42 (95% range 0.18–0.65). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±56.8%, with 20% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

-8%Change by 2029
0.42Projected 2029 index
0.18–0.6595% range
±56.8%Backtest error
20002029
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
20250.360.130.59
20260.370.140.61
20270.390.160.62
20280.400.170.64
20290.420.180.65

Bald Eagle Survey Routes in Iowa

Routes recording Bald Eagle in Iowa.
Melrose420212015
Dinsdale220242024
Festina220242001
Mt Hamill120222011
Exline120242024
Rock Valley120242016
West Liberty120242017
Williamsburg120222022
Red Rock120242012
Panther120242024
Washington120002000
Maquoketa120172000
Prairieburg120192012
Hudson120222006
Kanawha120222022
Mccallsburg120172016
Davis Corner120242015

Bald Eagle Population Trend in Other States

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

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