BirdAnalyst
Species · BBS 2025 Release · 1966–2024

White Ibis

ThreskiornithidaeWetland birdsEudocimus albus

White Ibis has edged down: down 19% on the route-weighted index since 1968.

-19%Since 1968TrendPercent 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 →
410RoutesSurvey routesHow many standard-protocol BBS routes contributed counts. More routes means a steadier, better-sampled index; very thin coverage is suppressed.Full methodology →
58Years 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 White Ibis

The White Ibis (Eudocimus albus) 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 410 Breeding Bird Survey routes across 13 states, most concentrated in the Southeastern Coastal Plain.
Family
Threskiornithidae · Wetland birds

Notable White Ibis 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 White Ibis. See the full index history below.

White Ibis Population Forecast

If the recent trend holds, White Ibis is projected to rise about 90% by 2029 — from 0.86 in 2024 to a central estimate of 1.6 (95% range 0.76–2.5). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±117.8%, with 20% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

+90%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 →
1.6Projected 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 →
0.76–2.595% 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 →
±117.8%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, White Ibis is projected to rise about 90% by 2029 — from 0.86 in 2024 to a central estimate of 1.6 (95% range 0.76–2.5). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±117.8%, with 20% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.19662029
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 →
20251.60.682.4
20261.60.702.5
20271.60.722.5
20281.60.742.5
20291.60.762.5

Where the White Ibis Is Detected

BBS routes recording White Ibis, sized by most recent count.

White Ibis Population Trend by State

White Ibis 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 →
Alabama+318%196936
Arkansas-80%20017
Florida-61%1968118
Georgia+23%196856
Louisiana+397%196977
Marylandinsufficient datan/a2
Mississippi-5%197722
New Jerseyinsufficient datan/a1
North Carolina+148%197020
Oklahomainsufficient datan/a1
South Carolina-26%196819
Texas+980%197048
Virginiainsufficient datan/a3

White Ibis Population Trend by Region

Bird Conservation Regions are the ecological unit for trends.

White Ibis 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 →
Oaks and Prairies16×198010
West Gulf Coastal Plain / Ouachitas+76%198839
Mississippi Alluvial Valley+75%197039
Southeastern Coastal Plain-45%1968188
Peninsular Florida-55%196881
Gulf Coastal Prairie24×196946

White Ibis Conservation Status

Our route-weighted index shows it down about 18% since 1968.

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