BirdAnalyst
Species · Georgia · BBS 2026 Release · 1966–2025

Great Egret Population Trend in Georgia

All statesWetland birds

Great Egret in Georgia has collapsed: down 86% on the route-weighted index since 1968.

-86%Since 1968TrendPercent change in the route-weighted abundance index between a smoothed baseline window and the most recent one. It tracks direction, not absolute population.Full methodology →
80Routes In StateSurvey routesHow many standard-protocol BBS routes contributed counts. More routes means a steadier, better-sampled index; very thin coverage is suppressed.Full methodology →
59YearsYears surveyedNumber of years with at least one standard-protocol run in this geography. A longer record makes the trend more reliable.Full methodology →

Notable Great Egret Trends in GeorgiaNotable signalsLong-arc shifts the engine flags automatically — sustained declines or increases large enough to stand out from year-to-year noise.Full methodology →

long arc declinecomputed indexTrend sourceWhether the figure is our own computed route-weighted index or an official USGS modeled estimate. The current build labels every trend as computed.Full methodology →

Great Egret has collapsed in Georgia: down 86% on the route-weighted index since 1968.

Great Egret Population Forecast in Georgia

If the recent trend holds, Great Egret in Georgia is projected to fall about 69% by 2030 — from 1.8 in 2025 to a central estimate of 0.55 (95% range 0.00–6.0). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±50.5%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

-69%Change by 2030TrendPercent change in the route-weighted abundance index between a smoothed baseline window and the most recent one. It tracks direction, not absolute population.Full methodology →
0.55Projected 2030 indexProjected indexThe central forecast of the abundance index if the recent trend continues. A projection of the current trajectory, not a prediction.Full methodology →
0.00–6.095% range95% rangeThe 95% uncertainty band around the projection at the forecast horizon. The true value should land inside it most of the time.Full methodology →
±50.5%Backtest errorBacktest errorTypical error when we hold out the most recent years, forecast them, and compare to what actually happened. Lower means a more trustworthy projection.Full methodology →
If the recent trend holds, Great Egret in Georgia is projected to fall about 69% by 2030 — from 1.8 in 2025 to a central estimate of 0.55 (95% range 0.00–6.0). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±50.5%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.19662030
Projection of the recent trend (dashed) with 80/95% bands — a projection, not a prediction. Habitat, climate, and land use are not modeled.
YearProjected indexProjected indexThe central forecast of the abundance index if the recent trend continues. A projection of the current trajectory, not a prediction.Full methodology →95% low95% rangeThe 95% uncertainty band around the projection at the forecast horizon. The true value should land inside it most of the time.Full methodology →95% high95% rangeThe 95% uncertainty band around the projection at the forecast horizon. The true value should land inside it most of the time.Full methodology →
20260.710.006.2
20270.670.006.2
20280.630.006.1
20290.590.006.1
20300.550.006.0

Great Egret Survey Routes in Georgia

Routes recording Great Egret in Georgia.
Recent countThe raw number of individuals recorded on this route in its most recent survey year. A single-route tally, not a trend.Full methodology →
Newton2320251975
Owensboro1820252012
Hawkinsville1020241970
Shannon819951995
Glenmore720252013
Shiloh720252012
Wadley620251981
Thornton Road620252005
Dickey620182007
Darien520191966
Doles520191983
Workmore520251981
Fitzgerald420251984
Pitts420251977
Boston420251976
Ousley420252017
Weber420252013
Baxley320191966
Athens319791979
Lacross320191980
Deepstep320231993
Dover320251976
Hollonville 2320192019
Coffee Co320251987
Colonels Island320232005

Great Egret Population Trend in Other States

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

Source: USGS North American Breeding Bird Survey, retrieved 2026-08-14.