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Species · North Carolina · BBS 2025 Release · 1966–2024

Brown Pelican Population Trend in North Carolina

All statesWetland birds

Brown Pelican in North Carolina has fallen sharply: down 56% on the route-weighted index since 1975.

-56%Since 1975TrendPercent change in the route-weighted abundance index between a smoothed baseline window and the most recent one. It tracks direction, not absolute population.Full methodology →
6Routes In StateSurvey routesHow many standard-protocol BBS routes contributed counts. More routes means a steadier, better-sampled index; very thin coverage is suppressed.Full methodology →
43YearsYears surveyedNumber of years with at least one standard-protocol run in this geography. A longer record makes the trend more reliable.Full methodology →

Notable Brown Pelican Trends in North CarolinaNotable signalsLong-arc shifts the engine flags automatically — sustained declines or increases large enough to stand out from year-to-year noise.Full methodology →

long arc declinecomputed indexTrend sourceWhether the figure is our own computed route-weighted index or an official USGS modeled estimate. The current build labels every trend as computed.Full methodology →

Brown Pelican has fallen sharply in North Carolina: down 56% on the route-weighted index since 1975.

Brown Pelican Population Forecast in North Carolina

If the recent trend holds, Brown Pelican in North Carolina is projected to rise about 10% by 2029 — from 0.59 in 2024 to a central estimate of 0.65 (95% range 0.00–1.7). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±221.5%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

+10%Change by 2029TrendPercent change in the route-weighted abundance index between a smoothed baseline window and the most recent one. It tracks direction, not absolute population.Full methodology →
0.65Projected 2029 indexProjected indexThe central forecast of the abundance index if the recent trend continues. A projection of the current trajectory, not a prediction.Full methodology →
0.00–1.795% range95% rangeThe 95% uncertainty band around the projection at the forecast horizon. The true value should land inside it most of the time.Full methodology →
±221.5%Backtest errorBacktest errorTypical error when we hold out the most recent years, forecast them, and compare to what actually happened. Lower means a more trustworthy projection.Full methodology →
If the recent trend holds, Brown Pelican in North Carolina is projected to rise about 10% by 2029 — from 0.59 in 2024 to a central estimate of 0.65 (95% range 0.00–1.7). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±221.5%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.19722029
Projection of the recent trend (dashed) with 80/95% bands — a projection, not a prediction. Habitat, climate, and land use are not modeled.
YearProjected indexProjected indexThe central forecast of the abundance index if the recent trend continues. A projection of the current trajectory, not a prediction.Full methodology →95% low95% rangeThe 95% uncertainty band around the projection at the forecast horizon. The true value should land inside it most of the time.Full methodology →95% high95% rangeThe 95% uncertainty band around the projection at the forecast horizon. The true value should land inside it most of the time.Full methodology →
20250.650.001.7
20260.650.001.7
20270.650.001.7
20280.650.001.7
20290.650.001.7

Brown Pelican Survey Routes in North Carolina

Routes recording Brown Pelican in North Carolina.
Recent countThe raw number of individuals recorded on this route in its most recent survey year. A single-route tally, not a trend.Full methodology →
Myrtle Grove3920241972
Merrimon320231985
Milltail Cr220241992
Supply120082002
Jarvisburg119991992
Newport120161997

Brown Pelican Population Trend in Other States

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