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

Osprey Population Trend in Alaska

All statesGeneralists

Osprey in Alaska has surged: up 359% on the route-weighted index since 1991.

+359%Since 1991
24Routes In State
33Years

Notable Osprey Trends in Alaska

long arc increasecomputed index

Osprey has surged in Alaska: up 359% on the route-weighted index since 1991.

Osprey Population Forecast in Alaska

If the recent trend holds, Osprey in Alaska is projected to fall about 51% by 2029 — from 0.27 in 2024 to a central estimate of 0.13 (95% range 0.05–0.22). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±51.8%, with 60% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

-51%Change by 2029
0.13Projected 2029 index
0.05–0.2295% range
±51.8%Backtest error
19842029
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
20250.120.040.20
20260.120.040.21
20270.130.040.21
20280.130.050.21
20290.130.050.22

Osprey Survey Routes in Alaska

Routes recording Osprey in Alaska.
Mud River520241996
Kanuti Lake520242014
Birch Lake220232008
Burma Road220111996
Unalakleet River220242001
Hather Creek220241996
Anvik River220241998
Sheep Mtn220012001
Kotzebue220242022
Northway120182018
Coldfoot120222022
Happy Valley120002000
Nicholai Sl120082008
Kanuti Canyn120232012
Willow120182018
St. Mary'S120022002
Kobuk River (Short)119911991
Porcupine R.120011997
Cordova120142014
Gweek River120021994
Wrangell (Short)119841984
Petersville119871987
Cold Bay120232019
Lake Louise120032003

Osprey Population Trend in Other States

alabamaarizonaarkansascaliforniacoloradoconnecticutdelawarefloridageorgiaidahoillinoisindianaiowakentuckylouisianamainemarylandmassachusettsmichiganminnesotamississippimissourimontananebraskanevadanew-hampshirenew-jerseynew-mexiconew-yorknorth-carolinaohiooregonpennsylvaniarhode-islandsouth-carolinasouth-dakotatennesseetexasutahvermontvirginiawashingtonwest-virginiawisconsinwyoming

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