BirdAnalyst
Species · Delaware · BBS 2026 Release · 1966–2025

Snowy Egret Population Trend in Delaware

All statesWetland birds

Snowy Egret in Delaware has surged: up 18× on the route-weighted index since 1969.

18×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 →
10Routes 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 →
54YearsYears surveyedNumber of years with at least one standard-protocol run in this geography. A longer record makes the trend more reliable.Full methodology →

Notable Snowy Egret Trends in DelawareNotable 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 →

Snowy Egret has surged in Delaware: up 18× on the route-weighted index since 1969.

Snowy Egret Population Forecast in Delaware

If the recent trend holds, Snowy Egret in Delaware is projected to rise about 47% by 2030 — from 3.0 in 2025 to a central estimate of 4.4 (95% range 0.95–7.9). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±48.9%, with 80% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

+47%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 →
4.4Projected 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 →
0.95–7.995% 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 →
±48.9%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, Snowy Egret in Delaware is projected to rise about 47% by 2030 — from 3.0 in 2025 to a central estimate of 4.4 (95% range 0.95–7.9). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±48.9%, 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 →
20264.10.677.6
20274.20.747.7
20284.30.817.7
20294.30.887.8
20304.40.957.9

Snowy Egret Survey Routes in Delaware

Routes recording Snowy Egret in Delaware.
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 →
Blackbird820251994
Pepperbox 2820252017
Bethany Bch519901970
Dover319791974
Mt Pleasant219981998
Wilmington219931987
Harrington220251971
Pepperbox220031998
Lowes Xrds119911967
Georgetown120181992

Snowy Egret Population Trend in Other States

alabamaarizonaarkansascaliforniacoloradoconnecticutfloridageorgiaidahoillinoisindianakansaskentuckylouisianamainemarylandmassachusettsmississippimissourinebraskanevadanew-jerseynew-mexiconew-yorknorth-carolinanorth-dakotaoklahomaoregonrhode-islandsouth-carolinasouth-dakotatennesseetexasutahvirginiawisconsinwyoming

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