Species · North Carolina · BBS 2025 Release · 1966–2024

Great Black-backed Gull Population Trend in North Carolina

Great Black-backed Gull in North Carolina has collapsed: down 88% on the route-weighted index since 1982.

-88%Since 1982
5Routes In State
18Years

Notable Great Black-backed Gull Trends in North Carolina

long arc declinecomputed index

Great Black-backed Gull has collapsed in North Carolina: down 88% on the route-weighted index since 1982.

Great Black-backed Gull Population Forecast in North Carolina

If the recent trend holds, Great Black-backed Gull in North Carolina is projected to stay roughly flat through 2026, near 0.00 (95% range 0.00–0.10). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±73.9%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

n/aChange by 2026
0.00Projected 2026 index
0.000.1095% range
±73.9%Backtest error
19732026
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
20220.000.000.10
20230.000.000.10
20240.000.000.10
20250.000.000.10
20260.000.000.10

Great Black-backed Gull Survey Routes in North Carolina

Routes recording Great Black-backed Gull in North Carolina.
Mashoes419821973
Merrimon120132000
Newport120022002
Milltail Cr120211992
Grandy119741973

Great Black-backed Gull Population Trend in Other States

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