BirdAnalyst
Species · North Dakota · BBS 2025 Release · 1966–2024

Great Egret Population Trend in North Dakota

All statesWetland birds

Great Egret in North Dakota has surged: up 363% on the route-weighted index since 1998.

+363%Since 1998
13Routes In State
27Years

Notable Great Egret Trends in North Dakota

long arc increasecomputed index

Great Egret has surged in North Dakota: up 363% on the route-weighted index since 1998.

Great Egret Population Forecast in North Dakota

If the recent trend holds, Great Egret in North Dakota is projected to rise about 173% by 2029 — from 0.15 in 2024 to a central estimate of 0.40 (95% range 0.09–0.72). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±211.6%, with 60% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

+173%Change by 2029
0.40Projected 2029 index
0.09–0.7295% range
±211.6%Backtest error
19962029
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
20250.360.040.67
20260.370.060.69
20270.380.070.70
20280.390.080.71
20290.400.090.72

Great Egret Survey Routes in North Dakota

Routes recording Great Egret in North Dakota.
Forman420221996
Lakota 2420102010
Montpelier320092009
Horsehead Lk320241998
Edgeley120132013
Lake George120192000
Danzig120102010
Sheyenne Lk120232023
Buchanan120242015
Braddock119971997
Danzig 2120232023
Lakota120092006
Niles120222017

Great Egret Population Trend in Other States

alabamaarizonaarkansascaliforniacoloradoconnecticutdelawarefloridageorgiaidahoillinoisindianaiowakansaskentuckylouisianamainemarylandmassachusettsmichiganminnesotamississippimissourimontananebraskanevadanew-jerseynew-mexiconew-yorknorth-carolinaohiooklahomaoregonpennsylvaniarhode-islandsouth-carolinasouth-dakotatennesseetexasutahvermontvirginiawashingtonwest-virginiawisconsinwyoming

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