Species · Colorado · BBS 2025 Release · 1966–2024

Black-crowned Night Heron Population Trend in Colorado

Black-crowned Night Heron in Colorado has collapsed: down 94% on the route-weighted index since 1970.

-94%Since 1970
19Routes In State
46Years

Notable Black-crowned Night Heron Trends in Colorado

long arc declinecomputed index

Black-crowned Night Heron has collapsed in Colorado: down 94% on the route-weighted index since 1970.

Black-crowned Night Heron Population Forecast in Colorado

If the recent trend holds, Black-crowned Night Heron in Colorado is projected to stay roughly flat through 2029, near 0.00 (95% range 0.00–0.21). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±133.5%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

n/aChange by 2029
0.00Projected 2029 index
0.000.2195% range
±133.5%Backtest error
19682029
Projection of the recent trend (dashed) with 80/95% bands — a projection, not a prediction. Habitat, climate, and land use are not modeled.
YearProjected index95% low95% high
20250.000.000.21
20260.000.000.21
20270.000.000.21
20280.000.000.21
20290.000.000.21

Black-crowned Night Heron Survey Routes in Colorado

Routes recording Black-crowned Night Heron in Colorado.
Rio Grnds Rs1219991993
Buford319841984
Neegrande320181998
Last Chance220041988
Powderhorn219991999
Mosca220081999
San Luis220091997
Harmony119951979
Arsenal120091993
Moffat119791970
Dolores119851968
Blanca119801980
Walden120192019
Hudson120131988
Pinos Creek119881988
Alamosa120241991
Groundhog Rs119941994
Moon Pass120031998
Lake City 2120182018

Black-crowned Night Heron Population Trend in Other States

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