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

Ring-billed Gull Population Trend in Utah

All statesWetland birds

Ring-billed Gull in Utah has surged: up 128% on the route-weighted index since 1996.

+128%Since 1996TrendPercent 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 →
15Routes 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 →
30YearsYears 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 UtahNotable 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 Utah: up 128% on the route-weighted index since 1996.

Ring-billed Gull Population Forecast in Utah

If the recent trend holds, Ring-billed Gull in Utah is projected to rise about 786% by 2029 — from 0.32 in 2024 to a central estimate of 2.9 (95% range 0.00–8.8). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±596.5%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

+786%Change by 2029TrendPercent 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 →
2.9Projected 2029 indexProjected indexThe central forecast of the abundance index if the recent trend continues. A projection of the current trajectory, not a prediction.Full methodology →
0.00–8.895% 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 →
±596.5%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 Utah is projected to rise about 786% by 2029 — from 0.32 in 2024 to a central estimate of 2.9 (95% range 0.00–8.8). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±596.5%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.19942029
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 →
20252.70.008.7
20262.70.008.7
20272.80.008.7
20282.80.008.8
20292.90.008.8

Ring-billed Gull Survey Routes in Utah

Routes recording Ring-billed Gull in Utah.
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 →
Neponset Res25020181995
Callao2320161994
Leamington1720172001
Randolph1320242003
Saleratus Cr920171995
Vernal820072004
E. Bear Lake420212000
Red Spur Mtn.420002000
Promontory320242022
Snowville320242015
Woodruff220112002
Navajo Lake219971997
Lost Cr. Res120111999
Kamas120152015
Bear River120231994

Ring-billed Gull Population Trend in Other States

alabamaarizonacaliforniacoloradoconnecticutdelawarefloridageorgiaidahoillinoisindianaiowakansaskentuckylouisianamainemarylandmassachusettsmichiganminnesotamissourimontananebraskanevadanew-hampshirenew-jerseynew-mexiconew-yorknorth-carolinanorth-dakotaohiooklahomaoregonpennsylvaniarhode-islandsouth-carolinasouth-dakotatexasvermontvirginiawashingtonwest-virginiawisconsinwyoming

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