BirdAnalyst
Species · BCR 3 · BBS 2026 Release · 1966–2025

Red-throated Loon In BCR 3

All regionsBCR 3Wetland birds

Red-throated Loon in BCR 3 has surged: up 152% on the route-weighted index since 1998.

+152%Since 1998TrendPercent 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 →
4Routes In RegionSurvey routesHow many standard-protocol BBS routes contributed counts. More routes means a steadier, better-sampled index; very thin coverage is suppressed.Full methodology →
21YearsYears surveyedNumber of years with at least one standard-protocol run in this geography. A longer record makes the trend more reliable.Full methodology →

Notable SignalsNotable 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 increasecomputed 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 →

Red-throated Loon has surged in BCR 3: up 152% on the route-weighted index since 1998.

Red-throated Loon In BCR 3 Population Forecast

If the recent trend holds, Red-throated Loon in BCR 3 is projected to rise about 177% by 2030 — from 0.50 in 2025 to a central estimate of 1.4 (95% range 0.26–2.5). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±59%, with 20% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

+177%Change by 2030TrendPercent 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 →
1.4Projected 2030 indexProjected indexThe central forecast of the abundance index if the recent trend continues. A projection of the current trajectory, not a prediction.Full methodology →
0.26–2.595% 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 →
±59%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, Red-throated Loon in BCR 3 is projected to rise about 177% by 2030 — from 0.50 in 2025 to a central estimate of 1.4 (95% range 0.26–2.5). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±59%, with 20% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.19942030
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 →
20261.30.132.4
20271.30.162.4
20281.30.192.4
20291.40.232.5
20301.40.262.5

Routes In BCR 3

Routes recording Red-throated Loon in BCR 3.
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 →
UtqiagvikALASKA72023
Galbraith L.ALASKA52024
Happy ValleyALASKA12025
Red DogALASKA12025

Source: USGS North American Breeding Bird Survey, retrieved 2026-08-14.