Species · Wisconsin · BBS 2025 Release · 1966–2024

Red-breasted Merganser Population Trend in Wisconsin

Red-breasted Merganser in Wisconsin has collapsed: down 90% on the route-weighted index since 1969.

-90%Since 1969
4Routes In State
27Years

Notable Red-breasted Merganser Trends in Wisconsin

long arc declinecomputed index

Red-breasted Merganser has collapsed in Wisconsin: down 89% on the route-weighted index since 1969.

Red-breasted Merganser Population Forecast in Wisconsin

If the recent trend holds, Red-breasted Merganser in Wisconsin is projected to stay roughly flat through 2016, near 0.00 (95% range 0.00–0.28). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±499.6%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

n/aChange by 2016
0.00Projected 2016 index
0.000.2895% range
±499.6%Backtest error
19672016
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
20120.000.000.28
20130.000.000.28
20140.000.000.28
20150.000.000.28
20160.000.000.28

Red-breasted Merganser Survey Routes in Wisconsin

Routes recording Red-breasted Merganser in Wisconsin.
Washington I220111967
Casco120082008
Wausaukee119831983
Bayfield119991999

Red-breasted Merganser Population Trend in Other States

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