BirdAnalyst
Species · North Carolina · BBS 2025 Release · 1966–2024

Bald Eagle Population Trend in North Carolina

All statesGeneralists

Bald Eagle in North Carolina has surged: up 730% on the route-weighted index since 2000.

+730%Since 2000TrendPercent 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 →
32Routes 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 →
25YearsYears 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 North CarolinaNotable 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 North Carolina: up 730% on the route-weighted index since 2000.

Bald Eagle Population Forecast in North Carolina

If the recent trend holds, Bald Eagle in North Carolina is projected to rise about 363% by 2029 — from 0.07 in 2024 to a central estimate of 0.33 (95% range 0.15–0.51). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±150.4%, with 60% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

+363%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 →
0.33Projected 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 →
0.15–0.5195% 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 →
±150.4%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 North Carolina is projected to rise about 363% by 2029 — from 0.07 in 2024 to a central estimate of 0.33 (95% range 0.15–0.51). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±150.4%, with 60% 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 →
20250.290.110.47
20260.300.120.48
20270.310.130.49
20280.320.140.50
20290.330.150.51

Bald Eagle Survey Routes in North Carolina

Routes recording Bald Eagle in North Carolina.
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 →
Arcola220232000
Cayton220182012
Reelsboro220182012
Merrimon120142003
Myrtle Grove120192014
Broad Creek120142014
Dismal Swamp120142014
Speed120212001
Kinston120192019
Climax120222022
Washington120112008
Spring Hope120222006
Brevard120212021
Cherokee120242018
Sturgills120232023
Old Trap120242021
French Broad River120222022
Congleton120242002
Lake Surf120242024
Cypress Lakes120192019
Ernul120082008
Jarvisburg 2120192008
Mattamuskeet119981998
Pinetops120062006
Cokesbury120232023

Bald Eagle Population Trend in Other States

alabamaalaskaarizonaarkansascaliforniacoloradoconnecticutdelawarefloridageorgiaidahoillinoisindianaiowakansaskentuckylouisianamainemarylandmassachusettsmichiganminnesotamississippimissourimontananebraskanevadanew-hampshirenew-jerseynew-mexiconew-yorknorth-dakotaohiooklahomaoregonpennsylvaniasouth-carolinasouth-dakotatennesseetexasutahvermontvirginiawashingtonwest-virginiawisconsinwyoming

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