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Species · Florida · BBS 2025 Release · 1966–2024

White Ibis Population Trend in Florida

All statesWetland birds

White Ibis in Florida has fallen sharply: down 61% on the route-weighted index since 1968.

-61%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 →
118Routes 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 White Ibis 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 declinecomputed 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 →

White Ibis has fallen sharply in Florida: down 61% on the route-weighted index since 1968.

White Ibis Population Forecast in Florida

If the recent trend holds, White Ibis in Florida is projected to rise about 60% by 2029 — from 8.8 in 2024 to a central estimate of 14 (95% range 1.5–26). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±54.7%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

+60%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 →
14Projected 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 →
1.5–2695% 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 →
±54.7%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 in Florida is projected to rise about 60% by 2029 — from 8.8 in 2024 to a central estimate of 14 (95% range 1.5–26). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±54.7%, with 100% 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 →
2025141.526
2026141.526
2027141.526
2028141.526
2029141.526

White Ibis Survey Routes in Florida

Routes recording White Ibis 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 →
Scottsmoor14120241969
Shawano 27120112004
Davie5920171994
Ft Waltn Bch5519921992
Sandy5020151987
Citrus Park4620241989
Kenansville4320211967
Wildernes Pk3720141992
Sunniland Gr3620191966
Sanderson3620211966
Corbett3520241987
New Hope3320112009
Vero Beach3320221993
Merritt Island 23020142014
Winter Gardn2920191988
Kendall2719881988
Croom2620241988
Myakka Head2520111966
Ridge Harbor2520241998
Pleasant Gr2420091987
Mabel 22420192012
Card Sound2420211998
Romeo2220241967
Indiantown2220171966
Goethe2120242011

White Ibis Population Trend in Other States

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