BirdAnalyst
Species · BBS 2025 Release · 1966–2024

Wood Stork

CiconiidaeWetland birdsMycteria americana

Wood Stork has declined: down 45% on the route-weighted index since 1968.

-45%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 →
217RoutesSurvey 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 Wood Stork

The Wood Stork (Mycteria americana) is a North American member of the Storks (Ciconiidae). In this analysis it is grouped with the wetland birds.

Size
33.5–45.5 in long (85–115 cm) — a very 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 217 Breeding Bird Survey routes across 9 states, most concentrated in the Southeastern Coastal Plain.
Family
Ciconiidae · Wetland birds

Notable Wood Stork 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 Wood Stork. See the full index history below.

Wood Stork Population Forecast

If the recent trend holds, Wood Stork is projected to stay roughly flat through 2029, near 0.12 (95% range 0.00–0.30). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±371%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

n/aChange 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 →
0.12Projected 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 →
0.00–0.3095% 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 →
±371%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, Wood Stork is projected to stay roughly flat through 2029, near 0.12 (95% range 0.00–0.30). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±371%, 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 →
20250.110.000.30
20260.110.000.30
20270.110.000.30
20280.110.000.30
20290.120.000.30

Where the Wood Stork Is Detected

BBS routes recording Wood Stork, sized by most recent count.

Wood Stork Population Trend by State

Wood Stork 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 →
Alabamainsufficient datan/a2
Californiainsufficient datan/a1
Florida-49%196892
Georgia-58%196951
Louisiana-25%197718
Mississippiinsufficient datan/a5
North Carolinainsufficient datan/a5
South Carolina-64%197715
Texas-80%197228

Wood Stork Population Trend by Region

Bird Conservation Regions are the ecological unit for trends.

Wood Stork 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 Prairies+112%198410
Mississippi Alluvial Valley+21%19956
Southeastern Coastal Plain+1%1969101
Peninsular Florida-54%196868
Gulf Coastal Prairie-92%197423

Wood Stork Conservation Status

Our route-weighted index shows it down about 45% 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.