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

Great Blue Heron Population Trend in Florida

All statesWetland birds

Great Blue Heron in Florida has fallen sharply: down 51% on the route-weighted index since 1968.

-51%Since 1968
122Routes In State
58Years

Notable Great Blue Heron Trends in Florida

long arc declinecomputed index

Great Blue Heron has fallen sharply in Florida: down 51% on the route-weighted index since 1968.

Great Blue Heron Population Forecast in Florida

If the recent trend holds, Great Blue Heron in Florida is projected to rise about 16% by 2029 — from 0.98 in 2024 to a central estimate of 1.1 (95% range 0.00–2.3). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±48.4%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

+16%Change by 2029
1.1Projected 2029 index
0.00–2.395% range
±48.4%Backtest error
19662029
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
20251.20.052.4
20261.20.032.4
20271.20.002.4
20281.20.002.3
20291.10.002.3

Great Blue Heron Survey Routes in Florida

Routes recording Great Blue Heron in Florida.
Shawano2520021988
Merritt Island 22020142014
Corbett1420241987
Shawano 21320112004
Merritt Isl1220111991
Ft Waltn Bch1120111966
Sandy1120151987
Weaver Stn920191987
Wildernes Pk820141992
Sugarloaf Key620041999
Indiantown520171970
Tamiami519741966
Webb520241990
Childs420181970
Pinecrest420241966
St Lucie420241987
Clewiston420232015
Holey Land420241993
Olustee419981992
San Antonio320231967
Devils Gardn320241987
Oak Grove 2320242024
Port St Joe 2320192015
Mabel 2320192014
Lake Buffum320241987

Great Blue Heron Population Trend in Other States

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

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