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

Bald Eagle Population Trend in Maryland

All statesGeneralists

Bald Eagle in Maryland has surged: up 60× on the route-weighted index since 1968.

60×Since 1968TrendPercent 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 →
49Routes 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 →
53YearsYears 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 MarylandNotable 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 Maryland: up 60× on the route-weighted index since 1968.

Bald Eagle Population Forecast in Maryland

If the recent trend holds, Bald Eagle in Maryland is projected to fall about 32% by 2029 — from 2.1 in 2024 to a central estimate of 1.4 (95% range 0.81–2.1). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±41.7%, with 20% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

-32%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 →
1.4Projected 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 →
0.81–2.195% 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 →
±41.7%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 Maryland is projected to fall about 32% by 2029 — from 2.1 in 2024 to a central estimate of 1.4 (95% range 0.81–2.1). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±41.7%, with 20% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.19662029
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 →
20251.30.701.9
20261.30.732.0
20271.40.762.0
20281.40.782.0
20291.40.812.1

Bald Eagle Survey Routes in Maryland

Routes recording Bald Eagle in Maryland.
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 →
Cokesbury1820241990
Harmony1720171967
Madison1720241974
Melitota1620241983
Honga1220241966
Indiantown520141999
Emmitsburg420242014
Vienna420241989
St. George'S Island420172015
Williamsport320242019
Tall Timbers320131987
Millington320241988
Pomfret220241993
Matthews220242007
Mardela220192007
Ijamsville220232005
Vindex120162016
Grove Neck119961994
Wolfsville120232015
Olney120222019
Warfieldsbrg120182013
Bachman Mill120242024
Fowblesburg119841984
Eklo120172017
Walnut120242007

Bald Eagle Population Trend in Other States

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

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