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

Great Egret Population Trend in Indiana

All statesWetland birds

Great Egret in Indiana has edged up: up 15% on the route-weighted index since 1993.

+15%Since 1993TrendPercent 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 →
14Routes 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 →
22YearsYears 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 IndianaNotable signalsLong-arc shifts the engine flags automatically — sustained declines or increases large enough to stand out from year-to-year noise.Full methodology →

No notable trend signals for Great Egret in Indiana. See the full index history below.

Great Egret Population Forecast in Indiana

If the recent trend holds, Great Egret in Indiana is projected to fall about 65% by 2030 — from 0.30 in 2025 to a central estimate of 0.11 (95% range 0.00–0.26). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±77.9%, with 60% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

-65%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 →
0.11Projected 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 →
0.00–0.2695% 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 →
±77.9%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 Indiana is projected to fall about 65% by 2030 — from 0.30 in 2025 to a central estimate of 0.11 (95% range 0.00–0.26). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±77.9%, with 60% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.19892030
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 →
20260.100.000.25
20270.100.000.26
20280.100.000.26
20290.110.000.26
20300.110.000.26

Great Egret Survey Routes in Indiana

Routes recording Great Egret in Indiana.
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 →
Cumback1020212021
Pimento920252018
Gary319981989
Hebron319961993
Indiana Dune220251995
Lagrange220022002
Witts Station220252025
Newberry220232023
Indian Spgs120252025
Kankakee Sands120022002
Fowler120132013
Thorntown120092009
Middletown120152015
Decatur120172017

Great Egret Population Trend in Other States

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

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