Species · Montana · BBS 2025 Release · 1966–2024

American Bittern Population Trend in Montana

American Bittern in Montana has edged down: down 13% on the route-weighted index since 1970.

-13%Since 1970
19Routes In State
45Years

Notable American Bittern Trends in Montana

No notable trend signals for American Bittern in Montana. See the full index history below.

American Bittern Population Forecast in Montana

If the recent trend holds, American Bittern in Montana is projected to stay roughly flat through 2029, near 0.00 (95% range 0.00–0.15). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±111.1%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

n/aChange by 2029
0.00Projected 2029 index
0.000.1595% range
±111.1%Backtest error
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 index95% low95% high
20250.010.000.15
20260.000.000.15
20270.000.000.15
20280.000.000.15
20290.000.000.15

American Bittern Survey Routes in Montana

Routes recording American Bittern in Montana.
Webster320232003
Kalispell220241968
Ester Lake220232016
Westby220232023
St Mary119951976
Flatwillow 2120182018
Cleveland120171979
Malta120231976
Redstone119791976
Roy120192019
Brusett119821982
Ingomar119801980
St Xavier119961996
Powderville119741970
Albion120082008
Beaverhead120241986
Winnett120232018
Lindsay120182018
Pablo Res.119951995

American Bittern Population Trend in Other States

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