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

Great Blue Heron Population Trend in Missouri

All statesWetland birds

Great Blue Heron in Missouri has surged: up 188% on the route-weighted index since 1970.

+188%Since 1970
90Routes In State
56Years

Notable Great Blue Heron Trends in Missouri

long arc increasecomputed index

Great Blue Heron has surged in Missouri: up 188% on the route-weighted index since 1970.

Great Blue Heron Population Forecast in Missouri

If the recent trend holds, Great Blue Heron in Missouri is projected to rise about 139% by 2029 — from 0.73 in 2024 to a central estimate of 1.7 (95% range 0.67–2.8). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±72.5%, with 80% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

+139%Change by 2029
1.7Projected 2029 index
0.67–2.895% range
±72.5%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
20251.70.602.8
20261.70.622.8
20271.70.632.8
20281.70.652.8
20291.70.672.8

Great Blue Heron Survey Routes in Missouri

Routes recording Great Blue Heron in Missouri.
Stet819951981
Harrisonville720232017
Cascade620231988
Hayti620212021
Pulaski520211980
Filley520241975
Mcfall520231994
Deventer420231970
Cp Girardeau420241984
Kingsville420221992
Watson420231991
Clementine319961975
Kahoka319951967
Hilda320061999
Kearney320241994
Graniteville320232003
Peace Valley220221977
Sweden220241970
Pineville220231975
Handley220231968
Reeds220231975
Cole Camp219891982
Ohio220241973
Sni Mills219901977
Warren219751975

Great Blue Heron Population Trend in Other States

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

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