BirdAnalyst
Species · Washington · BBS 2025 Release · 1966–2024

American Coot Population Trend in Washington

All statesWetland birds

American Coot in Washington has fallen sharply: down 55% on the route-weighted index since 1970.

-55%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 →
39Routes 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 WashingtonNotable 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 Washington: down 55% on the route-weighted index since 1970.

American Coot Population Forecast in Washington

If the recent trend holds, American Coot in Washington is projected to rise about 481% by 2029 — from 0.14 in 2024 to a central estimate of 0.81 (95% range 0.00–3.3). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±586.6%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

+481%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 →
0.81Projected 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 →
0.00–3.395% 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 →
±586.6%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 Coot in Washington is projected to rise about 481% by 2029 — from 0.14 in 2024 to a central estimate of 0.81 (95% range 0.00–3.3). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±586.6%, 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 →
20250.850.003.3
20260.840.003.3
20270.830.003.3
20280.820.003.3
20290.810.003.3

American Coot Survey Routes in Washington

Routes recording American Coot in Washington.
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 →
Brewster1420181977
Othello919911981
Wapato819951972
Warm Beach719931983
Tonasket720181982
Harrington420121974
Moses Lake320071974
Mendota 2319931993
Curlew319941992
Laurier320171997
Turnbull Nwr220231993
L Pend O Nwr220241996
Connell219911974
Asotin220022002
Ewan220191983
Omak Creek220242007
Moses Coulee220231999
Odessa220181993
Carnation219961996
Mendota 3220062006
Port Angeles120101973
Hanford Site119881988
Twisp120241980
Chewelah120081983
Ewan 2120242024

American Coot Population Trend in Other States

alabamaarizonaarkansascaliforniacoloradoconnecticutfloridageorgiaidahoillinoisindianaiowakansaskentuckylouisianamichiganminnesotamississippimissourimontananebraskanevadanew-mexiconew-yorknorth-carolinanorth-dakotaohiooklahomaoregonpennsylvaniasouth-dakotatennesseetexasutahvermontwest-virginiawisconsinwyoming

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