BirdAnalyst
Species · New York · BBS 2025 Release · 1966–2024

Great Egret Population Trend in New York

All statesWetland birds

Great Egret in New York has surged: up 128% on the route-weighted index since 1972.

+128%Since 1972
8Routes In State
37Years

Notable Great Egret Trends in New York

long arc increasecomputed index

Great Egret has surged in New York: up 127% on the route-weighted index since 1972.

Great Egret Population Forecast in New York

If the recent trend holds, Great Egret in New York is projected to stay roughly flat through 2029, near 0.13 (95% range 0.00–0.26). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±63.9%, with 60% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

n/aChange by 2029
0.13Projected 2029 index
0.00–0.2695% range
±63.9%Backtest error
19692029
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
20250.120.000.25
20260.120.000.25
20270.120.000.25
20280.120.000.25
20290.130.000.26

Great Egret Survey Routes in New York

Routes recording Great Egret in New York.
Westhampton1120211982
Jones Beach920131969
Huntington720231971
Ogdensburg220242024
Manorville120222004
West Bangor119981998
Purdy120171989
Harris Hill120182018

Great Egret Population Trend in Other States

alabamaarizonaarkansascaliforniacoloradoconnecticutdelawarefloridageorgiaidahoillinoisindianaiowakansaskentuckylouisianamainemarylandmassachusettsmichiganminnesotamississippimissourimontananebraskanevadanew-jerseynew-mexiconorth-carolinanorth-dakotaohiooklahomaoregonpennsylvaniarhode-islandsouth-carolinasouth-dakotatennesseetexasutahvermontvirginiawashingtonwest-virginiawisconsinwyoming

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