BirdAnalyst
Species · North Dakota · BBS 2026 Release · 1966–2025

Ring-billed Gull Population Trend in North Dakota

All statesWetland birds

Ring-billed Gull in North Dakota has surged: up 773% on the route-weighted index since 1969.

+773%Since 1969TrendPercent 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 →
42Routes 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 Ring-billed Gull Trends in North DakotaNotable 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 →

Ring-billed Gull has surged in North Dakota: up 773% on the route-weighted index since 1969.

Ring-billed Gull Population Forecast in North Dakota

If the recent trend holds, Ring-billed Gull in North Dakota is projected to stay roughly flat through 2030, near 20 (95% range 12–29). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±23.4%, with 80% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

+8%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 →
20Projected 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 →
12–2995% 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 →
±23.4%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, Ring-billed Gull in North Dakota is projected to stay roughly flat through 2030, near 20 (95% range 12–29). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±23.4%, with 80% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.19672030
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 →
2026191127
2027191128
2028201128
2029201228
2030201229

Ring-billed Gull Survey Routes in North Dakota

Routes recording Ring-billed Gull in North Dakota.
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 →
Douglas Crk16620251982
Wild Rose15220251982
Danzig5920141991
Carpio4120231969
Lakota 23920252010
Webster2320241995
Powers Lake2120251982
Niles2020251989
Edgeley1920251994
Lake George1820221967
Buchanan1820251967
Parshall1720131982
Cooperstown1620251975
Lakota1320091968
Danzig 21120252019
Wimbledon1020251981
Horsehead Lk1020251980
Regan920251968
Bowesmont720132011
Rolla720241976
Kempton620001967
Sheyenne Lk620251980
Stanley420251977
Sydney319761968
Emerado320231973

Ring-billed Gull Population Trend in Other States

alabamaarizonacaliforniacoloradoconnecticutdelawarefloridageorgiaidahoillinoisindianaiowakansaskentuckylouisianamainemarylandmassachusettsmichiganminnesotamissourimontananebraskanevadanew-hampshirenew-jerseynew-mexiconew-yorknorth-carolinaohiooklahomaoregonpennsylvaniarhode-islandsouth-carolinasouth-dakotatexasutahvermontvirginiawashingtonwest-virginiawisconsinwyoming

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