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

American White Pelican Population Trend in Montana

All statesWetland birds

American White Pelican in Montana has surged: up 18× on the route-weighted index since 1971.

18×Since 1971
45Routes In State
50Years

Notable American White Pelican Trends in Montana

long arc increasecomputed index

American White Pelican has surged in Montana: up 18× on the route-weighted index since 1971.

American White Pelican Population Forecast in Montana

If the recent trend holds, American White Pelican in Montana is projected to fall about 21% by 2029 — from 2.4 in 2024 to a central estimate of 1.9 (95% range 0.00–6.3). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±44.1%, with 80% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

-21%Change by 2029
1.9Projected 2029 index
0.00–6.395% range
±44.1%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
20251.90.006.2
20261.90.006.2
20271.90.006.3
20281.90.006.3
20291.90.006.3

American White Pelican Survey Routes in Montana

Routes recording American White Pelican in Montana.
Two Dot7220241979
Hay Lake4620172015
Winifred3220232023
Willow Creek 22620241992
Harlem2520171998
Freeman Creek2420152015
Wheat Basin2420242019
Forsyth2120062004
Red Rock2020241974
Malta1820181992
Oswego1720062003
Hebgen Lake1320242017
Beaverhead1120241986
Wise River1120172017
Flatwillow 21020222010
Ester Lake1020242015
Savage920131990
East Glacier Park720192019
Clyde Park620182018
Virgelle420192019
Cleveland420241982
Augusta420241976
Jordan420241968
Circle420181999
Shawmut420242024

American White Pelican Population Trend in Other States

alabamaarkansascaliforniacoloradoidahoiowakansaslouisianaminnesotanebraskanevadanew-mexiconorth-dakotaoklahomaoregonsouth-dakotatexasutahwashingtonwisconsinwyoming

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