BirdAnalyst
Species · Georgia · BBS 2026 Release · 1966–2025

Great Blue Heron Population Trend in Georgia

All statesWetland birds

Great Blue Heron in Georgia has held roughly steady: up 5% on the route-weighted index since 1968.

+5%Since 1968TrendPercent change in the route-weighted abundance index between a smoothed baseline window and the most recent one. It tracks direction, not absolute population.Full methodology →
107Routes In StateSurvey routesHow many standard-protocol BBS routes contributed counts. More routes means a steadier, better-sampled index; very thin coverage is suppressed.Full methodology →
58YearsYears surveyedNumber of years with at least one standard-protocol run in this geography. A longer record makes the trend more reliable.Full methodology →

Notable Great Blue Heron Trends in GeorgiaNotable signalsLong-arc shifts the engine flags automatically — sustained declines or increases large enough to stand out from year-to-year noise.Full methodology →

No notable trend signals for Great Blue Heron in Georgia. See the full index history below.

Great Blue Heron Population Forecast in Georgia

If the recent trend holds, Great Blue Heron in Georgia is projected to rise about 75% by 2030 — from 0.59 in 2025 to a central estimate of 1.0 (95% range 0.47–1.6). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±62.5%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

+75%Change by 2030TrendPercent change in the route-weighted abundance index between a smoothed baseline window and the most recent one. It tracks direction, not absolute population.Full methodology →
1.0Projected 2030 indexProjected indexThe central forecast of the abundance index if the recent trend continues. A projection of the current trajectory, not a prediction.Full methodology →
0.47–1.695% range95% rangeThe 95% uncertainty band around the projection at the forecast horizon. The true value should land inside it most of the time.Full methodology →
±62.5%Backtest errorBacktest errorTypical error when we hold out the most recent years, forecast them, and compare to what actually happened. Lower means a more trustworthy projection.Full methodology →
If the recent trend holds, Great Blue Heron in Georgia is projected to rise about 75% by 2030 — from 0.59 in 2025 to a central estimate of 1.0 (95% range 0.47–1.6). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±62.5%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.19662030
Projection of the recent trend (dashed) with 80/95% bands — a projection, not a prediction. Habitat, climate, and land use are not modeled.
YearProjected indexProjected indexThe central forecast of the abundance index if the recent trend continues. A projection of the current trajectory, not a prediction.Full methodology →95% low95% rangeThe 95% uncertainty band around the projection at the forecast horizon. The true value should land inside it most of the time.Full methodology →95% high95% rangeThe 95% uncertainty band around the projection at the forecast horizon. The true value should land inside it most of the time.Full methodology →
20261.000.431.6
20271.00.441.6
20281.00.451.6
20291.00.461.6
20301.00.471.6

Great Blue Heron Survey Routes in Georgia

Routes recording Great Blue Heron in Georgia.
Recent countThe raw number of individuals recorded on this route in its most recent survey year. A single-route tally, not a trend.Full methodology →
Douglas819841978
Deepstep520231976
Folkston520221996
Lincolnton420131987
Rutledge420251989
Thornton Road420192005
Rock Branch420242006
Fitzgerald320241974
Cuthbert320251971
Henderson320251975
Doles320191975
Ousley320252015
Sunny Side320172009
Hebron320192005
Davis Crossroads320252011
Okefenokee219921992
Courthouse220241966
Newton220241976
Grovetown220191992
Finleyson220241976
Metasville220001997
Tarver220211992
Colonels Island220162016
Shiloh220252012
Sharon220182018

Great Blue Heron Population Trend in Other States

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

Source: USGS North American Breeding Bird Survey, retrieved 2026-08-14.