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Species · Montana · BBS 2025 Release · 1966–2024

American Coot Population Trend in Montana

All statesWetland birds

American Coot in Montana has risen sharply: up 62% on the route-weighted index since 1970.

+62%Since 1970TrendPercent 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 →
55Routes In StateSurvey routesHow many standard-protocol BBS routes contributed counts. More routes means a steadier, better-sampled index; very thin coverage is suppressed.Full methodology →
56YearsYears surveyedNumber of years with at least one standard-protocol run in this geography. A longer record makes the trend more reliable.Full methodology →

Notable American Coot Trends in MontanaNotable 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 increasecomputed 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 risen sharply in Montana: up 62% on the route-weighted index since 1970.

American Coot Population Forecast in Montana

If the recent trend holds, American Coot in Montana is projected to fall about 37% by 2029 — from 0.78 in 2024 to a central estimate of 0.49 (95% range 0.00–2.2). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±998%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

-37%Change 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 →
0.49Projected 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 →
0.00–2.295% 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 →
±998%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 Montana is projected to fall about 37% by 2029 — from 0.78 in 2024 to a central estimate of 0.49 (95% range 0.00–2.2). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±998%, 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 →
20250.550.002.3
20260.530.002.2
20270.520.002.2
20280.510.002.2
20290.490.002.2

American Coot Survey Routes in Montana

Routes recording American Coot in Montana.
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 →
Westby2520242015
Wheat Basin2320192019
Shelby2120182018
Shawmut1320241982
Sunburst1220071975
Hay Lake1020181990
Kalispell920181968
Polson620061996
Two Dot620241978
Oswego520211978
Cleveland420121990
Brusett420241982
Flatwillow419911982
Ester Lake420242016
Virgelle220241979
Arlee219891985
Great Falls220191973
Savage220211979
Forsyth220192005
Locate220141982
Raynesford220162016
Jordan South220182018
Pablo Res.220241995
Hebgen Lake220192019
Whitlash220232012

American Coot Population Trend in Other States

alabamaarizonaarkansascaliforniacoloradoconnecticutfloridageorgiaidahoillinoisindianaiowakansaskentuckylouisianamichiganminnesotamississippimissourinebraskanevadanew-mexiconew-yorknorth-carolinanorth-dakotaohiooklahomaoregonpennsylvaniasouth-dakotatennesseetexasutahvermontwashingtonwest-virginiawisconsinwyoming

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