Species · Virginia · BBS 2025 Release · 1966–2024

Black-crowned Night Heron Population Trend in Virginia

Black-crowned Night Heron in Virginia has declined: down 50% on the route-weighted index since 1988.

-50%Since 1988
7Routes In State
23Years

Notable Black-crowned Night Heron Trends in Virginia

No notable trend signals for Black-crowned Night Heron in Virginia. See the full index history below.

Black-crowned Night Heron Population Forecast in Virginia

If the recent trend holds, Black-crowned Night Heron in Virginia is projected to stay roughly flat through 2029, near 0.03 (95% range 0.00–0.10). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±81.9%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

n/aChange by 2029
0.03Projected 2029 index
0.000.1095% range
±81.9%Backtest error
19862029
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
20250.030.000.10
20260.030.000.10
20270.030.000.10
20280.030.000.10
20290.030.000.10

Black-crowned Night Heron Survey Routes in Virginia

Routes recording Black-crowned Night Heron in Virginia.
Chincoteag W420031993
Quinby319881987
Waverly219861986
Stanley120241990
Cape Charles120011995
Hall120062006
White Stone119881988

Black-crowned Night Heron Population Trend in Other States

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