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Species · Georgia · BBS 2025 Release · 1966–2024

Yellow-crowned Night Heron Population Trend in Georgia

All statesWetland birds

Yellow-crowned Night Heron in Georgia has fallen sharply: down 57% on the route-weighted index since 1975.

-57%Since 1975TrendPercent 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 →
34Routes 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 →
41YearsYears 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 GeorgiaNotable 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 →

Yellow-crowned Night Heron has fallen sharply in Georgia: down 57% on the route-weighted index since 1975.

Yellow-crowned Night Heron Population Forecast in Georgia

If the recent trend holds, Yellow-crowned Night Heron in Georgia is projected to fall about 84% by 2028 — from 0.06 in 2023 to a central estimate of 0.01 (95% range 0.00–0.14). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±64.8%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

-84%Change by 2028TrendPercent 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 →
0.01Projected 2028 indexProjected indexThe central forecast of the abundance index if the recent trend continues. A projection of the current trajectory, not a prediction.Full methodology →
0.00–0.1495% 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 →
±64.8%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, Yellow-crowned Night Heron in Georgia is projected to fall about 84% by 2028 — from 0.06 in 2023 to a central estimate of 0.01 (95% range 0.00–0.14). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±64.8%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.19662028
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 →
20240.020.000.15
20250.010.000.14
20260.010.000.14
20270.010.000.14
20280.010.000.14

Yellow-crowned Night Heron Survey Routes in Georgia

Routes recording Yellow-crowned Night Heron in Georgia.
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 →
Keller1519931977
Pineora420182018
Fowlstown319881985
Council320232023
Fitzgerald219941989
Hawkinsville219821966
Rutledge220072007
Colonels Island220142014
Rentz220132001
Boston219951995
Ware Co220131999
Harrietts Bl119991987
Darien120171966
Stockton120042004
Baxley120102010
Everett City119891979
Cuthbert119941994
Guyton119901984
Wrightsville120142013
Nashville120102010
Lincolnton120022002
Riceboro120182018
Doles120061976
Lacross119751975
Jacksonboro119891989

Yellow-crowned Night Heron Population Trend in Other States

alabamaarkansasconnecticutdelawarefloridaillinoisindianakansaskentuckylouisianamarylandmississippimissourinew-jerseynew-yorknorth-carolinaohiooklahomapennsylvaniasouth-carolinatennesseetexasvirginiawest-virginia

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