BirdAnalyst
Species · BBS 2025 Release · 1966–2024

Roseate Spoonbill

ThreskiornithidaeWetland birdsPlatalea ajaja

Roseate Spoonbill has surged: up 192% on the route-weighted index since 1969.

+192%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 →
116RoutesSurvey routesHow many standard-protocol BBS routes contributed counts. More routes means a steadier, better-sampled index; very thin coverage is suppressed.Full methodology →
57Years SurveyedYears surveyedNumber of years with at least one standard-protocol run in this geography. A longer record makes the trend more reliable.Full methodology →

About the Roseate Spoonbill

The Roseate Spoonbill (Platalea ajaja) is a North American member of the Ibises & Spoonbills (Threskiornithidae). In this analysis it is grouped with the wetland birds.

Size
21.5–35.5 in long (55–90 cm) — a large wader (typical for the family)
Habitat
Marshes, ponds, lakeshores and other freshwater wetlands.
Diet
Aquatic invertebrates, small fish, frogs and plant matter.
Range
Recorded on 116 Breeding Bird Survey routes across 6 states, most concentrated in the Peninsular Florida.
Family
Threskiornithidae · Wetland birds

Notable Roseate Spoonbill TrendsNotable signalsLong-arc shifts the engine flags automatically — sustained declines or increases large enough to stand out from year-to-year noise.Full methodology →

No notable trend signals for Roseate Spoonbill. See the full index history below.

Roseate Spoonbill Population Forecast

If the recent trend holds, Roseate Spoonbill is projected to rise about 51% by 2029 — from 0.05 in 2024 to a central estimate of 0.08 (95% range 0.01–0.14). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±272%, with 40% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

+51%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 →
0.08Projected 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 →
0.01–0.1495% 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 →
±272%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, Roseate Spoonbill is projected to rise about 51% by 2029 — from 0.05 in 2024 to a central estimate of 0.08 (95% range 0.01–0.14). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±272%, with 40% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.19672029
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 →
20250.070.010.14
20260.080.010.14
20270.080.010.14
20280.080.010.14
20290.080.010.14

Where the Roseate Spoonbill Is Detected

BBS routes recording Roseate Spoonbill, sized by most recent count.

Roseate Spoonbill Population Trend by State

Roseate Spoonbill population trend by state.
TrendPercent 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 →Baseline yearThe first year of the smoothed window the trend is measured from. An earlier baseline means a longer record stands behind the number.Full methodology →Survey routesHow many standard-protocol BBS routes contributed counts. More routes means a steadier, better-sampled index; very thin coverage is suppressed.Full methodology →
Florida+144%197443
Georgiainsufficient datan/a3
Louisiana+563%197836
Mississippiinsufficient datan/a3
South Carolinainsufficient datan/a1
Texas-48%196930

Roseate Spoonbill Population Trend by Region

Bird Conservation Regions are the ecological unit for trends.

Roseate Spoonbill population trend by Bird Conservation Region.
TrendPercent 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 →Baseline yearThe first year of the smoothed window the trend is measured from. An earlier baseline means a longer record stands behind the number.Full methodology →Survey routesHow many standard-protocol BBS routes contributed counts. More routes means a steadier, better-sampled index; very thin coverage is suppressed.Full methodology →
Mississippi Alluvial Valley+164%199918
Peninsular Florida+95%197443
Gulf Coastal Prairie+148%196941

Roseate Spoonbill Conservation Status

Our route-weighted index shows it up about 192% since 1969.

Source: USGS North American Breeding Bird Survey, retrieved 2026-05-22. Trend is a route-weighted relative-abundance index, not an absolute population.