BirdAnalyst
Species · BCR 33 · BBS 2025 Release · 1966–2024

American Avocet In Sonoran and Mojave Deserts

All regionsSonoran and Mojave DesertsShorebirds

American Avocet in Sonoran and Mojave Deserts has fallen sharply: down 74% on the route-weighted index since 1974.

-74%Since 1974TrendPercent 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 →
7Routes In RegionSurvey routesHow many standard-protocol BBS routes contributed counts. More routes means a steadier, better-sampled index; very thin coverage is suppressed.Full methodology →
46YearsYears surveyedNumber of years with at least one standard-protocol run in this geography. A longer record makes the trend more reliable.Full methodology →

Notable SignalsNotable 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 →

American Avocet has fallen sharply in Sonoran and Mojave Deserts: down 73% on the route-weighted index since 1974.

Forecast

If the recent trend holds, American Avocet in Sonoran and Mojave Deserts is projected to stay roughly flat through 2029, near 0.61 (95% range 0.00–8.4). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±1969.6%, 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 →
0.61Projected 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 →
0.00–8.495% 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 →
±1969.6%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, American Avocet in Sonoran and Mojave Deserts is projected to stay roughly flat through 2029, near 0.61 (95% range 0.00–8.4). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±1969.6%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.19682029
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 →
20250.850.008.6
20260.790.008.5
20270.730.008.5
20280.670.008.4
20290.610.008.4

Routes In Sonoran and Mojave Deserts

Routes recording American Avocet in Sonoran and Mojave Deserts.
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 →
Haiwee ResCALIFORNIA122005
NilandCALIFORNIA62022
FlorenceARIZONA21975
TronaCALIFORNIA21997
PearblossomCALIFORNIA12024
Silver PeakNEVADA11968
Silver Peak 2NEVADA12023

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