BirdAnalyst
Species · Rhode Island · BBS 2025 Release · 1966–2024

Double-crested Cormorant Population Trend in Rhode Island

All statesWetland birds

Double-crested Cormorant in Rhode Island has surged: up 179% on the route-weighted index since 1985.

+179%Since 1985
5Routes In State
28Years

Notable Double-crested Cormorant Trends in Rhode Island

long arc increasecomputed index

Double-crested Cormorant has surged in Rhode Island: up 179% on the route-weighted index since 1985.

Double-crested Cormorant Population Forecast in Rhode Island

If the recent trend holds, Double-crested Cormorant in Rhode Island is projected to fall about 49% by 2028 — from 27 in 2023 to a central estimate of 14 (95% range 0.00–32). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±1576.3%, with 60% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

-49%Change by 2028
14Projected 2028 index
0.00–3295% range
±1576.3%Backtest error
19762028
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
2024130.0031
2025130.0031
2026130.0031
2027140.0031
2028140.0032

Double-crested Cormorant Survey Routes in Rhode Island

Routes recording Double-crested Cormorant in Rhode Island.
Shannock5420232022
Block Island620101988
Quonset Pt520222019
Sachuest Pt419901976
Wallum Lake120122012

Double-crested Cormorant Population Trend in Other States

alabamaalaskaarizonaarkansascaliforniacoloradoconnecticutdelawarefloridageorgiaidahoillinoisindianaiowakansaskentuckylouisianamainemarylandmassachusettsmichiganminnesotamississippimissourimontananebraskanevadanew-hampshirenew-jerseynew-mexiconew-yorknorth-carolinanorth-dakotaohiooklahomaoregonpennsylvaniasouth-carolinasouth-dakotatennesseetexasutahvermontvirginiawashingtonwest-virginiawisconsinwyoming

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