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Species · Georgia · BBS 2025 Release · 1966–2024

Little Blue Heron Population Trend in Georgia

All statesWetland birds

Little Blue Heron in Georgia has fallen sharply: down 56% on the route-weighted index since 1968.

-56%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 →
69Routes 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 →
58YearsYears surveyedNumber of years with at least one standard-protocol run in this geography. A longer record makes the trend more reliable.Full methodology →

Notable Little Blue Heron Trends in GeorgiaNotable 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 declinecomputed 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 →

Little Blue Heron has fallen sharply in Georgia: down 56% on the route-weighted index since 1968.

Little Blue Heron Population Forecast in Georgia

If the recent trend holds, Little Blue Heron in Georgia is projected to fall about 59% by 2029 — from 1.7 in 2024 to a central estimate of 0.68 (95% range 0.00–2.0). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±62.7%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

-59%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 →
0.68Projected 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 →
0.00–2.095% 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 →
±62.7%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, Little Blue Heron in Georgia is projected to fall about 59% by 2029 — from 1.7 in 2024 to a central estimate of 0.68 (95% range 0.00–2.0). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±62.7%, 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 →
20250.710.002.1
20260.700.002.0
20270.700.002.0
20280.690.002.0
20290.680.002.0

Little Blue Heron Survey Routes in Georgia

Routes recording Little Blue Heron in Georgia.
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 →
Newton4020241975
Henderson1920241975
Tarver1520241991
Douglas1219841978
Dickey720172009
Needmore619821977
Ousley620242015
Coffee Co520171986
Doles520191976
Union520232011
Owensboro520232015
Lincolnton420021976
Glenmore420242013
Millen420212009
Barges420232012
Harrietts Bl320221970
Fowlstown320161968
Shiloh320242016
Weber320242013
Roland320122012
Ware Co320241987
Colonels Island320192006
Cuthbert220241969
Wrightsville220231966
Hawkinsville220241966

Little Blue Heron Population Trend in Other States

alabamaarkansasconnecticutdelawarefloridaillinoiskansaskentuckylouisianamarylandmassachusettsmississippimissourinew-jerseynew-yorknorth-carolinanorth-dakotaoklahomapennsylvaniarhode-islandsouth-carolinatennesseetexasvirginia

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