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

Bald Eagle Population Trend in Nebraska

All statesGeneralists

Bald Eagle in Nebraska has surged: up 394% on the route-weighted index since 2001.

+394%Since 2001TrendPercent 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 →
19Routes 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 →
21YearsYears 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 NebraskaNotable 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 Nebraska: up 394% on the route-weighted index since 2001.

Bald Eagle Population Forecast in Nebraska

If the recent trend holds, Bald Eagle in Nebraska is projected to rise about 21% by 2029 — from 0.15 in 2024 to a central estimate of 0.18 (95% range 0.07–0.28). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±37.7%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

+21%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 →
0.18Projected 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 →
0.07–0.2895% 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 →
±37.7%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 Nebraska is projected to rise about 21% by 2029 — from 0.15 in 2024 to a central estimate of 0.18 (95% range 0.07–0.28). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±37.7%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.19982029
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 →
20250.150.050.26
20260.160.050.27
20270.170.060.27
20280.170.060.28
20290.180.070.28

Bald Eagle Survey Routes in Nebraska

Routes recording Bald Eagle in Nebraska.
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 →
Gretna220162015
Richland220242010
Kennedy220222022
Julian120242022
Kearney120232013
Sumner120162015
Surprise120212021
Almeria120212021
Thurston120171998
Sparta120212021
Eagle Creek120151999
Swan Lake120222011
Piester Lake120232023
Murray Lake120242016
Brownlee120242001
Nenzel120242019
Lyons120232023
Hendley120242021
Liberty 3120162016

Bald Eagle Population Trend in Other States

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

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