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

Great Blue Heron Population Trend in Kentucky

All statesWetland birds

Great Blue Heron in Kentucky has surged: up 16× on the route-weighted index since 1968.

16×Since 1968
53Routes In State
55Years

Notable Great Blue Heron Trends in Kentucky

long arc increasecomputed index

Great Blue Heron has surged in Kentucky: up 16× on the route-weighted index since 1968.

Great Blue Heron Population Forecast in Kentucky

If the recent trend holds, Great Blue Heron in Kentucky is projected to rise about 12% by 2029 — from 1.6 in 2024 to a central estimate of 1.8 (95% range 1.1–2.4). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±16.6%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

+12%Change by 2029
1.8Projected 2029 index
1.1–2.495% range
±16.6%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
20251.70.982.3
20261.71.02.4
20271.71.02.4
20281.71.12.4
20291.81.12.4

Great Blue Heron Survey Routes in Kentucky

Routes recording Great Blue Heron in Kentucky.
Bardwell620031967
Eastview620241980
Kings Mtn520241970
Morganfield520242023
Riverqueen420232009
Bays Fork420192000
Canton320241970
Cedar Grove320241983
Dixon320242005
Pleasurevill320241981
Mcbrayer320242000
Hodgenville320031999
Kehoe 2320232010
Cumberlnd Gp220092005
Hegira220102000
Merrimac220241997
Gatewood220191971
Dixie220191984
Joy220231966
East Union220211997
Million 2220232006
Hodgenville 2220232008
Brownsville120242024
Lovelacevile120241970
Shiloh120241970

Great Blue Heron Population Trend in Other States

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

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