BirdAnalyst
Species · South Dakota · BBS 2025 Release · 1966–2024

Bald Eagle Population Trend in South Dakota

All statesGeneralists

Bald Eagle in South Dakota has surged: up 664% on the route-weighted index since 2009.

+664%Since 2009TrendPercent 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 →
18Routes 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 →
14YearsYears 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 South DakotaNotable 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 South Dakota: up 664% on the route-weighted index since 2009.

Bald Eagle Survey Routes in South Dakota

Routes recording Bald Eagle in South 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 →
Volga220242013
Wilmot220242017
Veblen220232009
Forbes220172017
Fort Pierre120232023
Tripp120232016
Howard120242024
Reva120182018
Rockyford120232023
Raymond120182018
Ardmore120182018
Broadland120062006
Lacreek120212021
White River120112011
Ft Thompson120032003
Britton120212021
Gettysburg120232023
Volunteer120162016

Bald Eagle Population Trend in Other States

alabamaalaskaarizonaarkansascaliforniacoloradoconnecticutdelawarefloridageorgiaidahoillinoisindianaiowakansaskentuckylouisianamainemarylandmassachusettsmichiganminnesotamississippimissourimontananebraskanevadanew-hampshirenew-jerseynew-mexiconew-yorknorth-carolinanorth-dakotaohiooklahomaoregonpennsylvaniasouth-carolinatennesseetexasutahvermontvirginiawashingtonwest-virginiawisconsinwyoming

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