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

Great Blue Heron Population Trend in Michigan

All statesWetland birds

Great Blue Heron in Michigan has surged: up 160% on the route-weighted index since 1968.

+160%Since 1968
95Routes In State
58Years

Notable Great Blue Heron Trends in Michigan

long arc increasecomputed index

Great Blue Heron has surged in Michigan: up 160% on the route-weighted index since 1968.

Great Blue Heron Population Forecast in Michigan

If the recent trend holds, Great Blue Heron in Michigan is projected to rise about 28% by 2029 — from 0.81 in 2024 to a central estimate of 1.0 (95% range 0.00–2.1). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±33.8%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

+28%Change by 2029
1.0Projected 2029 index
0.00–2.195% range
±33.8%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
20251.00.002.1
20261.00.002.1
20271.00.002.1
20281.00.002.1
20291.00.002.1

Great Blue Heron Survey Routes in Michigan

Routes recording Great Blue Heron in Michigan.
Drayton Plns1219871973
Mottville620241968
North Branch519981974
Irons419891973
Tyre419951971
Bell Oak 2420232016
Chippewa Lk.420241992
Bear Lake320221979
Lawrence320211969
Nashville320241969
Monterey320241978
Remus320211974
Holt320241970
Pettysville319791969
Hamburg320001985
Richmond320242000
Herman220151983
Cunard220141973
Big Blue Lk220241984
Gilchrist220161980
Coopersville220241984
Belding220031983
Galesburg220241971
Howardsville220241969
Brush Creek219921975

Great Blue Heron Population Trend in Other States

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

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