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

Great Blue Heron Population Trend in Georgia

All statesWetland birds

Great Blue Heron in Georgia has held roughly steady: up 8% on the route-weighted index since 1968.

+8%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 →
105Routes 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 →
57YearsYears 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 58% by 2029 — from 0.67 in 2024 to a central estimate of 1.1 (95% range 0.50–1.6). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±45.1%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

+58%Change by 2029TrendPercent 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 →
1.1Projected 2029 indexProjected indexThe central forecast of the abundance index if the recent trend continues. A projection of the current trajectory, not a prediction.Full methodology →
0.50–1.695% 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 →
±45.1%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 58% by 2029 — from 0.67 in 2024 to a central estimate of 1.1 (95% range 0.50–1.6). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±45.1%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.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 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 →
20251.00.461.6
20261.00.471.6
20271.00.481.6
20281.00.491.6
20291.10.501.6

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
Rutledge420241989
Thornton Road420192005
Rock Branch420242006
Fitzgerald320241974
Cotton320211975
Henderson320241975
Doles320191975
Pitts320221977
Union320222011
Sunny Side320172009
Hebron320192005
Okefenokee219921992
Courthouse220241966
Newton220241976
Grovetown220191992
Tazewell220231977
Finleyson220241976
Metasville220001997
Tarver220211992
Colonels Island220162016
White Hill220212007

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 2026-05-22.