Species · Louisiana · BBS 2025 Release · 1966–2024

Common Tern Population Trend in Louisiana

Common Tern in Louisiana has fallen sharply: down 63% on the route-weighted index since 1979.

-63%Since 1979
5Routes In State
20Years

Notable Common Tern Trends in Louisiana

long arc declinecomputed index

Common Tern has fallen sharply in Louisiana: down 63% on the route-weighted index since 1979.

Common Tern Population Forecast in Louisiana

If the recent trend holds, Common Tern in Louisiana is projected to stay roughly flat through 2023, near 0.00 (95% range 0.00–0.36). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±101.7%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

n/aChange by 2023
0.00Projected 2023 index
0.000.3695% range
±101.7%Backtest error
19762023
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
20190.010.000.36
20200.000.000.36
20210.000.000.36
20220.000.000.36
20230.000.000.36

Common Tern Survey Routes in Louisiana

Routes recording Common Tern in Louisiana.
Gran Chenier1119801976
Sabine Nwr420011992
Creole319791978
Grand Isle120182011
Ltl Chenier120091988

Common Tern Population Trend in Other States

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