BirdAnalyst
Species · South Dakota · BBS 2025 Release · 1966–2024

Western Cattle-Egret Population Trend in South Dakota

All statesWetland birds

Western Cattle-Egret in South Dakota has risen sharply: up 69% on the route-weighted index since 1999.

+69%Since 1999TrendPercent 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 →
11Routes 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 →
15YearsYears 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 South DakotaNotable 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 South Dakota: up 68% on the route-weighted index since 1999.

Western Cattle-Egret Survey Routes in South Dakota

Routes recording Western Cattle-Egret in South Dakota.
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 →
Broadland2220122001
White Lake1620112010
Chamberlain820102010
Forbes420122003
Gettysburg420232012
Hayes319991999
Crow Creek220232014
Howard119931993
Winner120132013
Ft Thompson120112011
Long Lake120181998

Western Cattle-Egret Population Trend in Other States

alabamaarizonaarkansascaliforniacoloradodelawarefloridageorgiaidahoillinoisindianaiowakansaskentuckylouisianamainemarylandminnesotamississippimissourinebraskanevadanew-jerseynew-mexiconew-yorknorth-carolinanorth-dakotaohiooklahomapennsylvaniasouth-carolinatennesseetexasutahvermontvirginiawisconsinwyoming

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