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Species · Nebraska · BBS 2025 Release · 1966–2024

American Coot Population Trend in Nebraska

All statesWetland birds

American Coot in Nebraska has collapsed: down 77% on the route-weighted index since 1970.

-77%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 →
26Routes 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 →
53YearsYears 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 NebraskaNotable 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 collapsed in Nebraska: down 77% on the route-weighted index since 1970.

American Coot Population Forecast in Nebraska

If the recent trend holds, American Coot in Nebraska is projected to rise about 182% by 2029 — from 0.13 in 2024 to a central estimate of 0.35 (95% range 0.00–1.7). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±545.1%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

+182%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 →
0.35Projected 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 →
0.00–1.795% 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 →
±545.1%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 Nebraska is projected to rise about 182% by 2029 — from 0.13 in 2024 to a central estimate of 0.35 (95% range 0.00–1.7). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±545.1%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.19672029
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 →
20250.380.001.7
20260.380.001.7
20270.370.001.7
20280.360.001.7
20290.350.001.7

American Coot Survey Routes in Nebraska

Routes recording American Coot in Nebraska.
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 →
Brownlee2120211995
Hampton1820192019
Swan Lake1020191977
Oglala Nat. Grass.620191999
Gordon620191996
Crescent Lk520171980
Arthur320242016
Seward219731973
Kimball219781978
Brady220152015
Murray Lake219871987
Bassett220222022
Wheeler Co220241982
Julian120122012
Belvidere119751975
Kenesaw120162016
Pine Ridge120192015
Richland120161998
Paxton120152015
Winside119761976
Eagle Creek119911991
Johnstown119851985
Piester Lake120241967
Kennedy120211977
Table120132007

American Coot Population Trend in Other States

alabamaarizonaarkansascaliforniacoloradoconnecticutfloridageorgiaidahoillinoisindianaiowakansaskentuckylouisianamichiganminnesotamississippimissourimontananevadanew-mexiconew-yorknorth-carolinanorth-dakotaohiooklahomaoregonpennsylvaniasouth-dakotatennesseetexasutahvermontwashingtonwest-virginiawisconsinwyoming

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