Species · Alaska · BBS 2025 Release · 1966–2024

Pelagic Cormorant Population Trend in Alaska

Pelagic Cormorant in Alaska has collapsed: down 77% on the route-weighted index since 1985.

-77%Since 1985
9Routes In State
31Years

Notable Pelagic Cormorant Trends in Alaska

long arc declinecomputed index

Pelagic Cormorant has collapsed in Alaska: down 77% on the route-weighted index since 1985.

Pelagic Cormorant Population Forecast in Alaska

If the recent trend holds, Pelagic Cormorant in Alaska is projected to fall about 100% by 2029 — from 0.07 in 2024 to a central estimate of 0.00 (95% range 0.00–0.28). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±181.5%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

-100%Change by 2029
0.00Projected 2029 index
0.000.2895% range
±181.5%Backtest error
19832029
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
20250.000.000.28
20260.000.000.28
20270.000.000.28
20280.000.000.28
20290.000.000.28

Pelagic Cormorant Survey Routes in Alaska

Routes recording Pelagic Cormorant in Alaska.
Sitka320242010
Cape Nome220121993
Yakutat220242008
Chiniak120151987
Kodiak 2120091988
Nome119971997
Adak120011983
Cold Bay (Short)119911991
Kodiak119831983

Pelagic Cormorant Population Trend in Other States

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