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

Bald Eagle Population Trend in Washington

All statesGeneralists

Bald Eagle in Washington has surged: up 747% on the route-weighted index since 1976.

+747%Since 1976TrendPercent 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 →
64Routes 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 →
47YearsYears 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 WashingtonNotable 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 Washington: up 747% on the route-weighted index since 1976.

Bald Eagle Population Forecast in Washington

If the recent trend holds, Bald Eagle in Washington is projected to rise about 18% by 2029 — from 0.72 in 2024 to a central estimate of 0.85 (95% range 0.52–1.2). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±17.1%, with 80% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

+18%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 →
0.85Projected 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 →
0.52–1.295% 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 →
±17.1%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 Washington is projected to rise about 18% by 2029 — from 0.72 in 2024 to a central estimate of 0.85 (95% range 0.52–1.2). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±17.1%, with 80% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.19732029
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 →
20250.780.451.1
20260.800.461.1
20270.810.481.1
20280.830.501.2
20290.850.521.2

Bald Eagle Survey Routes in Washington

Routes recording Bald Eagle in Washington.
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 →
Ozette820241976
Port Angeles520231977
Taholah520221975
South Elma420242000
Nighthawk420241999
Bay View420171996
Twisp320192004
Chewelah320212012
Vashon Is.320181997
Kendall320241994
Raymond 2320242022
Curlew320182012
Omak Creek320242010
Yakima320242007
Warm Beach 2320242018
Brewster220182008
Deception220181992
Bunker Hill220241983
Mcchord220142004
Snowden220162016
Everett220242015
Wilbur220232019
Ewan220062006
Ilwaco220231991
Hurricane Rg220152015

Bald Eagle Population Trend in Other States

alabamaalaskaarizonaarkansascaliforniacoloradoconnecticutdelawarefloridageorgiaidahoillinoisindianaiowakansaskentuckylouisianamainemarylandmassachusettsmichiganminnesotamississippimissourimontananebraskanevadanew-hampshirenew-jerseynew-mexiconew-yorknorth-carolinanorth-dakotaohiooklahomaoregonpennsylvaniasouth-carolinasouth-dakotatennesseetexasutahvermontvirginiawest-virginiawisconsinwyoming

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