BirdAnalyst
Species · BCR 17 · BBS 2026 Release · 1966–2025

American Coot In Badlands and Prairies

All regionsBadlands and PrairiesWetland birds

American Coot in Badlands and Prairies has fallen sharply: down 52% on the route-weighted index since 1969.

-52%Since 1969TrendPercent 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 →
78Routes 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 →
58YearsYears 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 Coot has fallen sharply in Badlands and Prairies: down 52% on the route-weighted index since 1969.

American Coot In Badlands and Prairies Population Forecast

If the recent trend holds, American Coot in Badlands and Prairies is projected to stay roughly flat through 2030, near 0.55 (95% range 0.00–2.0). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±129.5%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

-5%Change by 2030TrendPercent 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 →
0.55Projected 2030 indexProjected indexThe central forecast of the abundance index if the recent trend continues. A projection of the current trajectory, not a prediction.Full methodology →
0.00–2.095% 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 →
±129.5%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 Coot in Badlands and Prairies is projected to stay roughly flat through 2030, near 0.55 (95% range 0.00–2.0). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±129.5%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.19672030
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 →
20260.600.002.1
20270.590.002.1
20280.570.002.1
20290.560.002.0
20300.550.002.0

Routes In Badlands and Prairies

Routes recording American Coot in Badlands and Prairies.
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 →
S. PioneerSOUTH-DAKOTA252024
Wheat BasinMONTANA232019
IngomarMONTANA222025
White RiverSOUTH-DAKOTA211998
IsabelSOUTH-DAKOTA192015
CottonwoodSOUTH-DAKOTA192025
BadlandsSOUTH-DAKOTA141997
ShawmutMONTANA132024
NatronaWYOMING131992
DwyerWYOMING131992
French CreekSOUTH-DAKOTA122001
Caballa CrkWYOMING101997
Two DotMONTANA62024
Coleman CouleeMONTANA62024
Oglala Nat. Grass.NEBRASKA62019
ArdmoreSOUTH-DAKOTA62019
GlenrockWYOMING61968
Cedar CreekNORTH-DAKOTA51990
WelchWYOMING51996
BrusettMONTANA42024
FlatwillowMONTANA41991
GorhamNORTH-DAKOTA42016
SavageMONTANA32025
VolunteerSOUTH-DAKOTA32019
DaytonWYOMING32008

Source: USGS North American Breeding Bird Survey, retrieved 2026-08-14.