Species · Wisconsin · BBS 2025 Release · 1966–2024

Black Tern Population Trend in Wisconsin

Black Tern in Wisconsin has collapsed: down 99% on the route-weighted index since 1968.

-99%Since 1968
42Routes In State
55Years

Notable Black Tern Trends in Wisconsin

long arc declinecomputed index

Black Tern has collapsed in Wisconsin: down 99% on the route-weighted index since 1968.

Black Tern Population Forecast in Wisconsin

If the recent trend holds, Black Tern in Wisconsin is projected to stay roughly flat through 2027, near 0.00 (95% range 0.00–0.56). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±1284.4%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

n/aChange by 2027
0.00Projected 2027 index
0.000.5695% range
±1284.4%Backtest error
19662027
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
20230.000.000.56
20240.000.000.56
20250.000.000.56
20260.000.000.56
20270.000.000.56

Black Tern Survey Routes in Wisconsin

Routes recording Black Tern in Wisconsin.
Omro720011966
Land O Lakes619811969
Mount Horeb519861968
Bashaw420042004
Princeton419801967
Union Twp320061972
Weyerhauser319811966
Minong219801967
Hudson220031966
Dresser220211966
Loraine220161966
Cumberland219881966
Phillips219691969
Irma219781968
Hollister219671967
Elderon220011966
Oconto Falls220191968
Pardeeville219961983
Grand View119711971
Couderay119801969
Exeland119721968
Gilman120031995
Omro 2120132002
Eagle River119671967
Popple River119921967

Black Tern Population Trend in Other States

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