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

Great Blue Heron Population Trend in Indiana

All statesWetland birds

Great Blue Heron in Indiana has surged: up 229% on the route-weighted index since 1968.

+229%Since 1968
69Routes In State
58Years

Notable Great Blue Heron Trends in Indiana

long arc increasecomputed index

Great Blue Heron has surged in Indiana: up 229% on the route-weighted index since 1968.

Great Blue Heron Population Forecast in Indiana

If the recent trend holds, Great Blue Heron in Indiana is projected to rise about 50% by 2029 — from 1.6 in 2024 to a central estimate of 2.4 (95% range 1.4–3.4). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±40.1%, with 80% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

+50%Change by 2029
2.4Projected 2029 index
1.4–3.495% range
±40.1%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
20252.31.33.2
20262.31.33.3
20272.31.43.3
20282.41.43.3
20292.41.43.4

Great Blue Heron Survey Routes in Indiana

Routes recording Great Blue Heron in Indiana.
Packertown1620041968
Decatur820241999
Pimento720241987
Gary519991984
Monticello520241986
Thorntown520241986
Millersburg520191990
Middlebury420241989
Wabash420241986
Jamestown420241991
Clear Spring420241983
Maplewood420212000
Hebron320191967
Knox320241982
Kewanna320181988
Middletown320241973
Friendswood320241987
Spencer320241973
Cumback320161981
Vevay320221979
New Brunswick320242024
Cuba320212017
Witts Station320242000
Indiana Dune320221993
Portage 2320232005

Great Blue Heron Population Trend in Other States

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

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