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

Hooded Merganser Population Trend in Minnesota

All statesWaterfowl

Hooded Merganser in Minnesota has fallen sharply: down 52% on the route-weighted index since 1978.

-52%Since 1978
53Routes In State
39Years

Notable Hooded Merganser Trends in Minnesota

long arc declinecomputed index

Hooded Merganser has fallen sharply in Minnesota: down 52% on the route-weighted index since 1978.

Hooded Merganser Population Forecast in Minnesota

If the recent trend holds, Hooded Merganser in Minnesota is projected to rise about 74% by 2029 — from 0.07 in 2024 to a central estimate of 0.13 (95% range 0.00–0.33). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±111.7%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

+74%Change by 2029
0.13Projected 2029 index
0.00–0.3395% range
±111.7%Backtest error
19712029
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
20250.130.000.33
20260.130.000.33
20270.130.000.33
20280.130.000.33
20290.130.000.33

Hooded Merganser Survey Routes in Minnesota

Routes recording Hooded Merganser in Minnesota.
Big Stone820121995
Chandler320192019
Tamarac Nwr320232004
Lakeville220142011
Nebish220132013
Gluek220042004
Pine River220181999
Glyndon220152006
Oklee220042004
Beltrami220102003
Franklin220142014
Money Creek119901990
Huntley119821982
Ash Creek120132013
Sherburne Nr120211990
Minnetonka120181971
Arlington120212015
Courtland120232023
Cass Lake120162005
Princeton120181998
Osseo120172017
Knapp120241992
Appleton120122009
Cromwell120012001
Wigwam Bay119921980

Hooded Merganser Population Trend in Other States

alabamaalaskaarkansascoloradoconnecticutidahoillinoisindianaiowakansaskentuckymainemarylandmassachusettsmichiganmississippimissourimontananebraskanew-hampshirenew-yorknorth-dakotaohiooklahomaoregonpennsylvaniarhode-islandsouth-carolinasouth-dakotatennesseetexasvermontwashingtonwest-virginiawisconsinwyoming

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