Species · Louisiana · BBS 2025 Release · 1966–2024

Forster's Tern Population Trend in Louisiana

Forster's Tern in Louisiana has collapsed: down 86% on the route-weighted index since 1973.

-86%Since 1973
20Routes In State
43Years

Notable Forster's Tern Trends in Louisiana

long arc declinecomputed index

Forster's Tern has collapsed in Louisiana: down 86% on the route-weighted index since 1973.

Forster's Tern Population Forecast in Louisiana

If the recent trend holds, Forster's Tern in Louisiana is projected to fall about 100% by 2029 — from 0.27 in 2024 to a central estimate of 0.00 (95% range 0.00–1.9). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±63.9%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

-100%Change by 2029
0.00Projected 2029 index
0.001.995% range
±63.9%Backtest error
19702029
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
20250.010.001.9
20260.000.001.9
20270.000.001.9
20280.000.001.9
20290.000.001.9

Forster's Tern Survey Routes in Louisiana

Routes recording Forster's Tern in Louisiana.
Creole6119871970
Sabine Nwr1520081989
Sabine Nwr 21420172009
Belair1120131995
Junior1019911987
Woodlawn1020192019
Forked Island1020242008
Grand Isle920182010
Glencoe620142014
Gran Chenier519731970
Carlisle319871987
Hackberry220161976
Mayflower220021995
Forked Island 2220102010
Kaplan219991999
Ltl Chenier 2220112010
Berwick220102000
Lafitte119881988
River Road119971997
Ltl Chenier120241986

Forster's Tern Population Trend in Other States

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