BirdAnalyst
Species · North Dakota · BBS 2026 Release · 1966–2025

Bald Eagle Population Trend in North Dakota

All statesBirds of prey

Bald Eagle in North Dakota has surged: up 431% on the route-weighted index since 2006.

+431%Since 2006TrendPercent 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 →
23Routes 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 →
18YearsYears 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 DakotaNotable 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 North Dakota. See the full index history below.

Bald Eagle Population Forecast in North Dakota

If the recent trend holds, Bald Eagle in North Dakota is projected to rise about 13% by 2030 — from 0.18 in 2025 to a central estimate of 0.21 (95% range 0.09–0.33). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±34.9%, with 80% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

+13%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 →
0.21Projected 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 →
0.09–0.3395% 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 →
±34.9%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 Dakota is projected to rise about 13% by 2030 — from 0.18 in 2025 to a central estimate of 0.21 (95% range 0.09–0.33). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±34.9%, with 80% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.19922030
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 →
20260.180.060.31
20270.190.070.31
20280.200.070.32
20290.200.080.33
20300.210.090.33

Bald Eagle Survey Routes in North Dakota

Routes recording Bald Eagle in North Dakota.
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 →
Forman220242014
Wimbledon220252018
Horsehead Lk220252024
Buchanan220242024
Bowesmont220142010
Zap220242024
Glen Ullin220172017
Walcott120192019
Edgeley120222016
Lake George120232010
Emerado120242023
Cooperstown120252021
Nash120062006
Lakota120062006
Webster119921992
Abercrombie120082008
Denbigh120182013
Roosevelt Pk120162016
Bentley120242024
Douglas Crk120222016
Sheyenne Lk120242002
Turtle Mtns120232019
Solen120192014

Bald Eagle Population Trend in Other States

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

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