BirdAnalyst
Species · Michigan · BBS 2026 Release · 1966–2025

Bald Eagle Population Trend in Michigan

All statesBirds of prey

Bald Eagle in Michigan has surged: up 476% on the route-weighted index since 1984.

+476%Since 1984TrendPercent 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 →
47Routes 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 →
37YearsYears 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 MichiganNotable 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 Bald Eagle in Michigan. See the full index history below.

Bald Eagle Population Forecast in Michigan

If the recent trend holds, Bald Eagle in Michigan is projected to stay roughly flat through 2030, near 0.15 (95% range 0.07–0.23). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±33.2%, with 60% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

+10%Change by 2030TrendPercent 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 →
0.15Projected 2030 indexProjected indexThe central forecast of the abundance index if the recent trend continues. A projection of the current trajectory, not a prediction.Full methodology →
0.07–0.2395% 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 →
±33.2%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 Michigan is projected to stay roughly flat through 2030, near 0.15 (95% range 0.07–0.23). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±33.2%, with 60% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.19742030
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 →
20260.140.060.21
20270.140.060.22
20280.140.070.22
20290.150.070.22
20300.150.070.23

Bald Eagle Survey Routes in Michigan

Routes recording Bald Eagle in Michigan.
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 →
Seney Nwr220101992
Lake City220102008
Skeels220072007
Oberlin220241992
Cathro220122007
Mayfield220252017
Pleasant Valley 2220252023
Ontonagon120192012
Bergland120191986
Hungerford120232007
Bootjack120171993
Ned Lake120171987
Chippewa Lk.120092001
Crystal Fls120241989
Gibbs City120222022
Maple Grove120242014
Ishpeming120161981
Imp Lake120192019
Wilson120042004
Creighton119861986
Walloon Lake 2120082008
Bear Lake120112011
Scottville120192012
Frederic 2120142008
Cluster Lakes120102010

Bald Eagle Population Trend in Other States

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

Source: USGS North American Breeding Bird Survey, retrieved 2026-08-14.