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

Great Egret Population Trend in Michigan

All statesWetland birds

Great Egret in Michigan has edged up: up 11% on the route-weighted index since 1999.

+11%Since 1999
19Routes In State
21Years

Notable Great Egret Trends in Michigan

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

Great Egret Population Forecast in Michigan

If the recent trend holds, Great Egret in Michigan is projected to rise about 39% by 2028 — from 0.07 in 2023 to a central estimate of 0.09 (95% range 0.00–0.18). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±147.4%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

+39%Change by 2028
0.09Projected 2028 index
0.00–0.1895% range
±147.4%Backtest error
19882028
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
20240.080.000.17
20250.090.000.18
20260.090.000.18
20270.090.000.18
20280.090.000.18

Great Egret Survey Routes in Michigan

Routes recording Great Egret in Michigan.
New Buffalo520082008
St Charles220192018
No Bradley220232015
Hamburg 2120212021
Big Blue Lk120222022
Lawrence120042004
Herron120162016
Galesburg119881988
Howardsville120192017
Lapeer120042004
Rochester120182014
Hartland120091997
Richmond120192009
Adrian120062006
Prattville120112003
Cathro120162011
Owendale120172017
Waldenburg120132009
Cohoctah120232023

Great Egret Population Trend in Other States

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

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