BirdAnalyst
Species · Louisiana · BBS 2025 Release · 1966–2024

Willet Population Trend in Louisiana

All statesShorebirds

Willet in Louisiana has collapsed: down 88% on the route-weighted index since 1971.

-88%Since 1971TrendPercent 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 →
14Routes 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 →
51YearsYears surveyedNumber of years with at least one standard-protocol run in this geography. A longer record makes the trend more reliable.Full methodology →

Notable Willet 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 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 →

Willet has collapsed in Louisiana: down 88% on the route-weighted index since 1971.

Willet Population Forecast in Louisiana

If the recent trend holds, Willet in Louisiana is projected to fall about 100% by 2029 — from 0.32 in 2024 to a central estimate of 0.00 (95% range 0.00–2.2). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±293.8%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

-100%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 →
0.00Projected 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 →
0.00–2.295% 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 →
±293.8%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 →
19672029
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 →
20250.000.002.2
20260.000.002.2
20270.000.002.2
20280.000.002.2
20290.000.002.2

Willet Survey Routes in Louisiana

Routes recording Willet 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 →
Ltl Chenier 21920112010
Gran Chenier1719821967
Ltl Chenier1320241986
Creole619871967
Grand Isle320192010
Sabine Nwr320081989
Sabine Nwr 2320162009
Hackberry220121971
Transylvania220071998
Esther220042004
Junior119871987
Hackberry 2120212021
Forked Island120152009
Forked Island 2120112011

Willet Population Trend in Other States

alabamacaliforniacoloradoconnecticutdelawarefloridaidahomainemarylandmassachusettsminnesotamontananebraskanevadanew-jerseynew-yorknorth-carolinanorth-dakotaoregonsouth-carolinasouth-dakotatexasutahvirginiawyoming

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