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

Great Egret Population Trend in Wisconsin

All statesWetland birds

Great Egret in Wisconsin has surged: up 194% on the route-weighted index since 1968.

+194%Since 1968TrendPercent 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 →
31Routes 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 →
56YearsYears 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 WisconsinNotable signalsLong-arc shifts the engine flags automatically — sustained declines or increases large enough to stand out from year-to-year noise.Full methodology →

long arc increasecomputed indexTrend sourceWhether the figure is our own computed route-weighted index or an official USGS modeled estimate. The current build labels every trend as computed.Full methodology →

Great Egret has surged in Wisconsin: up 194% on the route-weighted index since 1968.

Great Egret Population Forecast in Wisconsin

If the recent trend holds, Great Egret in Wisconsin is projected to rise about 12% by 2029 — from 0.21 in 2024 to a central estimate of 0.24 (95% range 0.00–0.54). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±85.9%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

+12%Change by 2029TrendPercent 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 →
0.24Projected 2029 indexProjected indexThe central forecast of the abundance index if the recent trend continues. A projection of the current trajectory, not a prediction.Full methodology →
0.00–0.5495% 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 →
±85.9%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 Wisconsin is projected to rise about 12% by 2029 — from 0.21 in 2024 to a central estimate of 0.24 (95% range 0.00–0.54). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±85.9%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.19662029
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 →
20250.230.000.52
20260.230.000.53
20270.230.000.53
20280.230.000.53
20290.240.000.54

Great Egret Survey Routes in Wisconsin

Routes recording Great Egret in Wisconsin.
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 →
Eden720241974
Kiel420222002
Fall River320241984
Paris320231998
Omro 2220242006
Washington I220112010
Cochrane220131968
Viroqua219781978
Rolling Pr220241966
Beaver Dam219971978
Raymond220242000
Hudson120181969
Dresser120062006
Loraine119891989
Esdaile119961985
Gilmanton120001974
Cadott119851985
Mather119861986
Oconto Falls119771977
Omro119951977
Manitowoc119831983
Newburg Crns119781967
Rolling Grnd119911989
Pardeeville120221992
Brownsville120191980

Great Egret Population Trend in Other States

alabamaarizonaarkansascaliforniacoloradoconnecticutdelawarefloridageorgiaidahoillinoisindianaiowakansaskentuckylouisianamainemarylandmassachusettsmichiganminnesotamississippimissourimontananebraskanevadanew-jerseynew-mexiconew-yorknorth-carolinanorth-dakotaohiooklahomaoregonpennsylvaniarhode-islandsouth-carolinasouth-dakotatennesseetexasutahvermontvirginiawashingtonwest-virginiawyoming

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