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Species · Louisiana · BBS 2026 Release · 1966–2025

Western Cattle-Egret Population Trend in Louisiana

All statesWetland birds

Western Cattle-Egret in Louisiana has risen sharply: up 69% on the route-weighted index since 1969.

+69%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 →
99Routes 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 Western Cattle-Egret Trends in LouisianaNotable 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 →

Western Cattle-Egret has risen sharply in Louisiana: up 69% on the route-weighted index since 1969.

Western Cattle-Egret Population Forecast in Louisiana

If the recent trend holds, Western Cattle-Egret in Louisiana is projected to rise about 24% by 2030 — from 30 in 2025 to a central estimate of 37 (95% range 0.00–74). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±46.2%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

+24%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 →
37Projected 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 →
0.00–7495% 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 →
±46.2%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, Western Cattle-Egret in Louisiana is projected to rise about 24% by 2030 — from 30 in 2025 to a central estimate of 37 (95% range 0.00–74). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±46.2%, with 100% 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 →
2026380.1975
2027370.0075
2028370.0075
2029370.0074
2030370.0074

Western Cattle-Egret Survey Routes in Louisiana

Routes recording Western Cattle-Egret in Louisiana.
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 →
Esther30920251988
Derry28719891968
Mamou27719821967
Easton17219901967
Ramah14220251988
Rayville 212520252009
Forked Island 210920112010
Morgan City10819861968
Richard9820251998
Maurice9320241988
Junior9019911987
Hackberry8320161973
Ville Platte8020191988
Cypress6919871967
Hackberry 26620252018
Keystone6220131967
River Road5820251987
Fillmore5719891969
Woodlawn5220212008
Port Allen4720242000
Kaplan4620231998
Rayville4520081968
Carlisle4219881987
Forked Island3820252008
Berwick3720181987

Western Cattle-Egret Population Trend in Other States

alabamaarizonaarkansascaliforniacoloradodelawarefloridageorgiaidahoillinoisindianaiowakansaskentuckymainemarylandminnesotamississippimissourinebraskanevadanew-jerseynew-mexiconew-yorknorth-carolinanorth-dakotaohiooklahomapennsylvaniasouth-carolinasouth-dakotatennesseetexasutahvermontvirginiawisconsinwyoming

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