Guild · Illinois · BBS 2025 Release · 1966–2024

Aerial Insectivores In Illinois

17 species in this guild. As a group they are +24% since 1968.

Guild Signals

No notable trend signals for aerial insectivores in Illinois. See the full index history below.

Forecast

If the recent trend holds, Aerial insectivores in Illinois is projected to fall about 19% by 2029 — from 5.7 in 2024 to a central estimate of 4.6 (95% range 3.7–5.5). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±14%, with 80% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

-19%Change by 2029
4.6Projected 2029 index
3.75.595% range
±14%Backtest error
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 index95% low95% high
20254.63.75.5
20264.63.75.5
20274.63.75.5
20284.63.75.5
20294.63.75.5

Member Species In Illinois

Aerial insectivores species in Illinois.
Bank SwallowHirundinidae-95%
Least FlycatcherTyrannidae-82%
Chuck-will's-widowCaprimulgidae-77%
Eastern Whip-poor-willCaprimulgidae-68%
Chimney SwiftApodidae-66%
Purple MartinHirundinidae-44%
Common NighthawkCaprimulgidae-27%
Eastern KingbirdTyrannidae-8%
Willow FlycatcherTyrannidae+5%
Barn SwallowHirundinidae+10%
Great Crested FlycatcherTyrannidae+122%
Tree SwallowHirundinidae+140%
Eastern Wood-PeweeTyrannidae+203%
Eastern PhoebeTyrannidae+378%
Acadian FlycatcherTyrannidae+447%
Northern Rough-winged SwallowHirundinidae+458%
Cliff SwallowHirundinidae179×

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