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Species · Alabama · BBS 2025 Release · 1966–2024

Yellow-crowned Night Heron Population Trend in Alabama

All statesWetland birds

Yellow-crowned Night Heron in Alabama has held roughly steady: up 6% on the route-weighted index since 1968.

+6%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 →
54Routes 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 Yellow-crowned Night Heron Trends in AlabamaNotable 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 Yellow-crowned Night Heron in Alabama. See the full index history below.

Yellow-crowned Night Heron Population Forecast in Alabama

If the recent trend holds, Yellow-crowned Night Heron in Alabama is projected to fall about 12% by 2029 — from 0.10 in 2024 to a central estimate of 0.09 (95% range 0.00–0.29). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±90.9%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

-12%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 →
0.09Projected 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 →
0.00–0.2995% 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 →
±90.9%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, Yellow-crowned Night Heron in Alabama is projected to fall about 12% by 2029 — from 0.10 in 2024 to a central estimate of 0.09 (95% range 0.00–0.29). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±90.9%, 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 →
20250.100.000.29
20260.100.000.29
20270.100.000.29
20280.090.000.29
20290.090.000.29

Yellow-crowned Night Heron Survey Routes in Alabama

Routes recording Yellow-crowned Night Heron in Alabama.
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 →
Birmingham1119951969
Grangeburg520241975
Howard419901984
Alabama Pt419951995
Valhermoso Spgs220091968
Pine Grove219961966
Smyer Lake219901973
Whitehall220191998
Bon Secour220031996
Helicon220152015
Gainestown Ferry220152000
St Florian119671967
Hillsboro119781978
Summitt119721972
Swaim119791966
Dauphin Is 2119951992
Greensport119891977
Mt Olive119801980
Alabama Pt 2120062006
Elberta119971997
Liberty119861986
Riderwood119861973
Harrell119961968
Greensboro120221973
Sprague120231991

Yellow-crowned Night Heron Population Trend in Other States

arkansasconnecticutdelawarefloridageorgiaillinoisindianakansaskentuckylouisianamarylandmississippimissourinew-jerseynew-yorknorth-carolinaohiooklahomapennsylvaniasouth-carolinatennesseetexasvirginiawest-virginia

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