Species · Wisconsin · BBS 2025 Release · 1966–2024

Common Tern Population Trend in Wisconsin

Common Tern in Wisconsin has collapsed: down 86% on the route-weighted index since 1969.

-86%Since 1969
3Routes In State
21Years

Notable Common Tern Trends in Wisconsin

long arc declinecomputed index

Common Tern has collapsed in Wisconsin: down 86% on the route-weighted index since 1969.

Common Tern Population Forecast in Wisconsin

If the recent trend holds, Common Tern in Wisconsin is projected to fall about 100% by 2018 — from 0.15 in 2013 to a central estimate of 0.00 (95% range 0.00–0.89). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±5116.5%, with 20% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

-100%Change by 2018
0.00Projected 2018 index
0.000.8995% range
±5116.5%Backtest error
19672018
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
20140.000.000.89
20150.000.000.89
20160.000.000.89
20170.000.000.89
20180.000.000.89

Common Tern Survey Routes in Wisconsin

Routes recording Common Tern in Wisconsin.
Washington I1320131967
Phillips420042004
Omro119801967

Common Tern Population Trend in Other States

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