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

Great Egret Population Trend in Florida

All statesWetland birds

Great Egret in Florida has fallen sharply: down 62% on the route-weighted index since 1968.

-62%Since 1968
124Routes In State
58Years

Notable Great Egret Trends in Florida

long arc declinecomputed index

Great Egret has fallen sharply in Florida: down 62% on the route-weighted index since 1968.

Great Egret Population Forecast in Florida

If the recent trend holds, Great Egret in Florida is projected to rise about 37% by 2029 — from 3.7 in 2024 to a central estimate of 5.0 (95% range 0.00–10). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±64.3%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

+37%Change by 2029
5.0Projected 2029 index
0.00–1095% range
±64.3%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
20255.20.0010
20265.10.0010
20275.10.0010
20285.10.0010
20295.00.0010

Great Egret Survey Routes in Florida

Routes recording Great Egret in Florida.
Shawano 223720112004
Sandy6020151987
Deanville4420191991
Key Largo4319901987
Merritt Isl4120111991
Eglin A.F.B.3919971995
Wildernes Pk3820141992
Alva3320231987
Corbett3220241987
Mabel 22620192012
Devils Gardn2420241987
Shawano2320021987
Salvista2219791967
Port St Joe 22220182015
Mossy Head2020101992
Tamiami2019741966
Winter Gardn1920191987
Holey Land1920241988
Hildreth 21620112011
Romeo1520241966
Webb1520241990
Weaver Stn1420191987
Merritt Island 21320142014
Clewiston1120232015
Ft Gadsden1020041970

Great Egret Population Trend in Other States

alabamaarizonaarkansascaliforniacoloradoconnecticutdelawaregeorgiaidahoillinoisindianaiowakansaskentuckylouisianamainemarylandmassachusettsmichiganminnesotamississippimissourimontananebraskanevadanew-jerseynew-mexiconew-yorknorth-carolinanorth-dakotaohiooklahomaoregonpennsylvaniarhode-islandsouth-carolinasouth-dakotatennesseetexasutahvermontvirginiawashingtonwest-virginiawisconsinwyoming

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