BirdAnalyst
Species · Minnesota · BBS 2025 Release · 1966–2024

Double-crested Cormorant Population Trend in Minnesota

All statesWetland birds

Double-crested Cormorant in Minnesota has surged: up 241% on the route-weighted index since 1975.

+241%Since 1975
54Routes In State
50Years

Notable Double-crested Cormorant Trends in Minnesota

long arc increasecomputed index

Double-crested Cormorant has surged in Minnesota: up 241% on the route-weighted index since 1975.

Double-crested Cormorant Population Forecast in Minnesota

If the recent trend holds, Double-crested Cormorant in Minnesota is projected to rise about 15× by 2029 — from 0.11 in 2024 to a central estimate of 1.6 (95% range 0.00–3.5). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±994.8%, with 40% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

15×Change by 2029
1.6Projected 2029 index
0.00–3.595% range
±994.8%Backtest error
19732029
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
20251.60.003.5
20261.60.003.5
20271.60.003.5
20281.60.003.5
20291.60.003.5

Double-crested Cormorant Survey Routes in Minnesota

Routes recording Double-crested Cormorant in Minnesota.
Big Stone4120121995
Hart Lake3819971995
Worthington2820222004
Mcgregor2419931993
Pine River2219911990
Evergreen1320051985
Wylie1219981998
Le Center720231993
Princeton620132003
Glenwood620191993
Cromwell520012001
Millville419971997
Dawson420191982
Sherburne Nr320231990
Ash Creek320131990
Gluek320191973
Edwards320231984
Glyndon320231978
Tenney320161978
Nett Lake320162016
New London320121994
Chokio North320242005
Cass Lake319901990
Osseo220171981
Chokio220241978

Double-crested Cormorant Population Trend in Other States

alabamaalaskaarizonaarkansascaliforniacoloradoconnecticutdelawarefloridageorgiaidahoillinoisindianaiowakansaskentuckylouisianamainemarylandmassachusettsmichiganmississippimissourimontananebraskanevadanew-hampshirenew-jerseynew-mexiconew-yorknorth-carolinanorth-dakotaohiooklahomaoregonpennsylvaniarhode-islandsouth-carolinasouth-dakotatennesseetexasutahvermontvirginiawashingtonwest-virginiawisconsinwyoming

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