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

Great Blue Heron Population Trend in Kansas

All statesWetland birds

Great Blue Heron in Kansas has surged: up 80% on the route-weighted index since 1969.

+80%Since 1969
60Routes In State
57Years

Notable Great Blue Heron Trends in Kansas

long arc increasecomputed index

Great Blue Heron has surged in Kansas: up 80% on the route-weighted index since 1969.

Great Blue Heron Population Forecast in Kansas

If the recent trend holds, Great Blue Heron in Kansas is projected to fall about 17% by 2029 — from 1.5 in 2024 to a central estimate of 1.3 (95% range 0.25–2.3). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±19.4%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

-17%Change by 2029
1.3Projected 2029 index
0.25–2.395% range
±19.4%Backtest error
19672029
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
20251.30.282.3
20261.30.272.3
20271.30.262.3
20281.30.252.3
20291.30.252.3

Great Blue Heron Survey Routes in Kansas

Routes recording Great Blue Heron in Kansas.
Bucyrus720242022
Melrose520231967
Seneca520221968
Berwet520242000
Phillipsburg420221968
Pittsburg420212000
Galesburg320241970
Humboldt320221969
Lapland320221974
Coats320091973
Albert320241967
Grantville320211968
Hanover320231987
Gove320111976
Le Loup320212000
Olsburg320242000
Thrall219701968
Wellington220241979
Coldwater220191977
Ashland220211977
Olathe220211967
Barclay220241969
Buckeye220221968
Kanopolis220241969
Rock Creek220211972

Great Blue Heron Population Trend in Other States

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

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