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Species · Louisiana · BBS 2025 Release · 1966–2024

Black-crowned Night Heron Population Trend in Louisiana

All statesWetland birds

Black-crowned Night Heron in Louisiana has risen sharply: up 72% on the route-weighted index since 1970.

+72%Since 1970
49Routes In State
51Years

Notable Black-crowned Night Heron Trends in Louisiana

long arc increasecomputed index

Black-crowned Night Heron has risen sharply in Louisiana: up 72% on the route-weighted index since 1970.

Black-crowned Night Heron Population Forecast in Louisiana

If the recent trend holds, Black-crowned Night Heron in Louisiana is projected to rise about 245% by 2029 — from 0.20 in 2024 to a central estimate of 0.67 (95% range 0.03–1.3). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±130.8%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

+245%Change by 2029
0.67Projected 2029 index
0.03–1.395% range
±130.8%Backtest error
19672029
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
20250.640.001.3
20260.650.011.3
20270.660.021.3
20280.660.031.3
20290.670.031.3

Black-crowned Night Heron Survey Routes in Louisiana

Routes recording Black-crowned Night Heron in Louisiana.
River Road3720102009
Woodlawn1020212008
Berwick620181992
Creole519871967
Tensas Nwr420151991
Kaplan420231998
Atchafalaya320221992
Plettenberg319681968
Shaw320231990
Maurice320241988
Frogmore320231999
Morgan City320142011
Ltl Chenier320171995
Morgan City219771976
Gran Chenier219821971
Baton Rouge220231996
Fishville220102010
Larose219901990
Brousville219991999
Richard220241998
Ltl Chenier 2220112010
Sabine Nwr 2220172009
Natchez220042003
Grand Isle220182017
Ville Platte220191992

Black-crowned Night Heron Population Trend in Other States

alabamaarizonaarkansascaliforniacoloradoconnecticutdelawarefloridageorgiaidahoillinoisindianaiowakansaskentuckymainemarylandmassachusettsmichiganminnesotamississippimissourimontananebraskanevadanew-hampshirenew-jerseynew-mexiconew-yorknorth-carolinanorth-dakotaohiooklahomaoregonpennsylvaniarhode-islandsouth-carolinasouth-dakotatennesseetexasutahvermontvirginiawashingtonwest-virginiawisconsinwyoming

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