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Species · Florida · BBS 2025 Release · 1966–2024

Roseate Spoonbill Population Trend in Florida

All statesWetland birds

Roseate Spoonbill in Florida has surged: up 144% on the route-weighted index since 1974.

+144%Since 1974TrendPercent 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 →
43Routes 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 →
42YearsYears surveyedNumber of years with at least one standard-protocol run in this geography. A longer record makes the trend more reliable.Full methodology →

Notable Roseate Spoonbill Trends in FloridaNotable 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 →

Roseate Spoonbill has surged in Florida: up 144% on the route-weighted index since 1974.

Roseate Spoonbill Population Forecast in Florida

If the recent trend holds, Roseate Spoonbill in Florida is projected to fall about 71% by 2029 — from 0.37 in 2024 to a central estimate of 0.11 (95% range 0.00–0.93). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±369.1%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

-71%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 →
0.11Projected 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 →
0.00–0.9395% 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 →
±369.1%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 in Florida is projected to fall about 71% by 2029 — from 0.37 in 2024 to a central estimate of 0.11 (95% range 0.00–0.93). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±369.1%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.19702029
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 →
20250.130.000.95
20260.130.000.95
20270.120.000.94
20280.110.000.94
20290.110.000.93

Roseate Spoonbill Survey Routes in Florida

Routes recording Roseate Spoonbill in Florida.
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 →
Scottsmoor1220241977
Sandy1220151992
Sunniland Gr1020031985
Wildernes Pk920121997
Sandy 2920172016
Merritt Island 2820142014
Devils Gardn620172010
Croom520051999
Webb520242024
Winter Gardn520112011
Merritt Isl420111991
Pleasant Gr420081994
Flamingo320172000
Holey Land320242016
Childs320132013
Pennywash Cr320092009
Indiantown 2220232019
Chassahowitz220152015
Plantation K219911970
Boca Raton219821982
Vero Beach220161997
Shawano 2220112004
Card Sound220151998
Lake Buffum120122012
Corbett120122000

Roseate Spoonbill Population Trend in Other States

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