Species · Alabama · BBS 2025 Release · 1966–2024
Great Blue Heron Population Trend in Alabama
Great Blue Heron in Alabama has surged: up 259% on the route-weighted index since 1968.
+259%Since 1968
106Routes In State
58Years
Notable Great Blue Heron Trends in Alabama
long arc increasecomputed index
Great Blue Heron has surged in Alabama: up 259% on the route-weighted index since 1968.
Great Blue Heron Population Forecast in Alabama
If the recent trend holds, Great Blue Heron in Alabama is projected to rise about 275% by 2029 — from 0.81 in 2024 to a central estimate of 3.0 (95% range 1.5–4.6). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±143.6%, with 20% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.
+275%Change by 2029
3.0Projected 2029 index
1.5–4.695% range
±143.6%Backtest error
| Year | Projected index | 95% low | 95% high |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2.8 | 1.3 | 4.4 |
| 2026 | 2.9 | 1.4 | 4.4 |
| 2027 | 2.9 | 1.4 | 4.5 |
| 2028 | 3.0 | 1.4 | 4.5 |
| 2029 | 3.0 | 1.5 | 4.6 |
Great Blue Heron Survey Routes in Alabama
| Wheeler Dam | 114 | 2023 | 1993 |
| Riverside | 41 | 2013 | 1999 |
| Triana | 18 | 2012 | 1999 |
| Alabama Pt 2 | 15 | 2019 | 2004 |
| Alabama Pt | 13 | 2003 | 1966 |
| Dauphin Is | 11 | 1990 | 1970 |
| Greensport | 7 | 2024 | 1988 |
| Billingsley | 5 | 2022 | 1968 |
| Valhermoso Spg 2 | 5 | 2014 | 2014 |
| Stevenson | 5 | 2024 | 1996 |
| Dauphin Is 3 | 5 | 2021 | 2021 |
| Guntersville | 4 | 2017 | 1986 |
| Talladega | 4 | 2024 | 1996 |
| Summitt | 3 | 1978 | 1968 |
| Liberty | 3 | 2022 | 1975 |
| Riderwood | 3 | 2017 | 1966 |
| Courtland | 3 | 2021 | 1997 |
| Brooksville | 3 | 2023 | 1988 |
| Dauphin Is 2 | 3 | 2019 | 1991 |
| Autaugaville | 3 | 2008 | 1996 |
| Sprott-Cahaba Riv | 3 | 2014 | 1999 |
| Gainestown Ferry | 3 | 2015 | 1999 |
| Chacaloochee Bay | 3 | 2019 | 2009 |
| St Florian | 2 | 2024 | 1991 |
| Valhermoso Spgs | 2 | 2010 | 1970 |
Great Blue Heron Population Trend in Other States
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Source: USGS North American Breeding Bird Survey, retrieved 2026-05-22.