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

Great Egret Population Trend in Washington

All statesWetland birds

Great Egret in Washington has surged: up 179% on the route-weighted index since 1997.

+179%Since 1997
5Routes In State
28Years

Notable Great Egret Trends in Washington

long arc increasecomputed index

Great Egret has surged in Washington: up 179% on the route-weighted index since 1997.

Great Egret Population Forecast in Washington

If the recent trend holds, Great Egret in Washington is projected to stay roughly flat through 2029, near 0.31 (95% range 0.00–0.67). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±757.1%, with 60% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

n/aChange by 2029
0.31Projected 2029 index
0.00–0.6795% range
±757.1%Backtest error
19882029
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
20250.290.000.65
20260.300.000.65
20270.300.000.66
20280.310.000.66
20290.310.000.67

Great Egret Survey Routes in Washington

Routes recording Great Egret in Washington.
Moses Lake1720211988
Scootney Reservoir220242016
Columbia Nwr120221998
Horn Rapids120232007
Potholes120151997

Great Egret Population Trend in Other States

alabamaarizonaarkansascaliforniacoloradoconnecticutdelawarefloridageorgiaidahoillinoisindianaiowakansaskentuckylouisianamainemarylandmassachusettsmichiganminnesotamississippimissourimontananebraskanevadanew-jerseynew-mexiconew-yorknorth-carolinanorth-dakotaohiooklahomaoregonpennsylvaniarhode-islandsouth-carolinasouth-dakotatennesseetexasutahvermontvirginiawest-virginiawisconsinwyoming

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