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

Black-crowned Night Heron Population Trend in South Dakota

Black-crowned Night Heron in South Dakota has collapsed: down 87% on the route-weighted index since 1969.

-87%Since 1969
20Routes In State
56Years

Notable Black-crowned Night Heron Trends in South Dakota

long arc declinecomputed index

Black-crowned Night Heron has collapsed in South Dakota: down 87% on the route-weighted index since 1969.

Black-crowned Night Heron Population Forecast in South Dakota

If the recent trend holds, Black-crowned Night Heron in South Dakota is projected to fall about 100% by 2028 — from 0.07 in 2023 to a central estimate of 0.00 (95% range 0.00–1.1). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±136.2%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

-100%Change by 2028
0.00Projected 2028 index
0.001.195% range
±136.2%Backtest error
19672028
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
20240.010.001.1
20250.000.001.1
20260.000.001.1
20270.000.001.1
20280.000.001.1

Black-crowned Night Heron Survey Routes in South Dakota

Routes recording Black-crowned Night Heron in South Dakota.
Tripp2119991999
Britton520211973
White Lake420111967
Veblen420081980
Howard320041970
Crow Creek320221972
Wilmot319971967
Volga220131968
Forbes220231967
Long Lake220171967
Chamberlain119721968
Raymond120211968
Roswell119971969
Broadland120132001
Ft Thompson119981969
Conde119681968
Gettysburg120191972
Ottumwa119671967
Lacreek120141991
Lane 2120132012

Black-crowned Night Heron Population Trend in Other States

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