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ABSTRACT Failure to account for observation error can cause bias in estimators of variables important for wildlife management and conservation, such as abundance, occupancy, and species composition. Therefore, long-term monitoring programs need to evaluate sources of bias to ensure that objectives of the program can be met. Although trend estimation is possible using biased estimators, population status, and management decisions can be sensitive to random and systematic heterogeneity in the observation process. For example, standard methods used to monitor reproductive attempts at bald eagle ( Haliaeetus leucocephalus) nests fail to quantify observation error. We used bald eagle nest surveys from 3 national parks...
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