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

Bald Eagle Population Trend in Minnesota

All statesGeneralists

Bald Eagle in Minnesota has surged: up 16× on the route-weighted index since 1982.

16×Since 1982TrendPercent 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 →
70Routes 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 →
43YearsYears 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 MinnesotaNotable 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 Minnesota: up 16× on the route-weighted index since 1982.

Bald Eagle Population Forecast in Minnesota

If the recent trend holds, Bald Eagle in Minnesota is projected to rise about 13% by 2029 — from 0.46 in 2024 to a central estimate of 0.52 (95% range 0.41–0.62). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±8%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

+13%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 →
0.52Projected 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 →
0.41–0.6295% 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 →
±8%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 Minnesota is projected to rise about 13% by 2029 — from 0.46 in 2024 to a central estimate of 0.52 (95% range 0.41–0.62). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±8%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.19772029
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 →
20250.470.360.58
20260.480.380.59
20270.490.390.60
20280.500.400.61
20290.520.410.62

Bald Eagle Survey Routes in Minnesota

Routes recording Bald Eagle in Minnesota.
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 →
Sherburne Nr620241991
Wigwam Bay320231977
Fairmont320212013
Tamarac Nwr320231992
Babbitt320162009
Ash Creek220242024
Millville220182011
Minnetonka220241994
Nebish220231991
Princeton220242008
St Stephen220061992
Cromwell220241998
Pine River220242001
Edwards220232004
Floodwood220192002
Lude220222007
Nett Lake220212021
Worthington220222016
Frontenac220232006
Le Center220232008
Brainerd220241995
Ashby220142008
Blackduck220222004
Glendale220221993
Warroad220242010

Bald Eagle Population Trend in Other States

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

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