Species · Alaska · BBS 2025 Release · 1966–2024

Common Loon Population Trend in Alaska

Common Loon in Alaska has declined: down 45% on the route-weighted index since 1978.

-45%Since 1978
78Routes In State
45Years

Notable Common Loon Trends in Alaska

No notable trend signals for Common Loon in Alaska. See the full index history below.

Common Loon Population Forecast in Alaska

If the recent trend holds, Common Loon in Alaska is projected to fall about 59% by 2029 — from 0.58 in 2024 to a central estimate of 0.24 (95% range 0.00–0.65). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±58.1%, with 80% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

-59%Change by 2029
0.24Projected 2029 index
0.000.6595% range
±58.1%Backtest error
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 index95% low95% high
20250.280.000.69
20260.270.000.68
20270.260.000.67
20280.250.000.66
20290.240.000.65

Common Loon Survey Routes in Alaska

Routes recording Common Loon in Alaska.
Cape Nome920241998
Willow720241993
Dillingham520191993
Skilak Lake419851978
Cold Bay (Short)419921985
Mcgrath420221998
Haines320241972
Tonsina320182018
King Salmon320231994
Lake Louise320111996
Thorne Bay 2320222016
Kuskulana320241992
Burma Road320231996
Chena Hot Sp219861986
Sheep Mtn220111983
Swan Lake Rd220231982
Thorne Bay220121991
Yakutat220231994
Cold Bay220241993
Wasilla219831983
Sitka (Short)219851985
Harlequin L.220172017
Galena (Short)220221998
Dietrich Cmp220242003
Paxson Lake219971993

Common Loon Population Trend in Other States

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