BirdAnalyst
Species · Colorado · BBS 2026 Release · 1966–2025

Belted Kingfisher Population Trend in Colorado

All statesWetland birds

Belted Kingfisher in Colorado has fallen sharply: down 70% on the route-weighted index since 1972.

-70%Since 1972TrendPercent 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 →
73Routes 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 →
55YearsYears surveyedNumber of years with at least one standard-protocol run in this geography. A longer record makes the trend more reliable.Full methodology →

Notable Belted Kingfisher Trends in ColoradoNotable 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 →

Belted Kingfisher has fallen sharply in Colorado: down 70% on the route-weighted index since 1972.

Belted Kingfisher Population Forecast in Colorado

If the recent trend holds, Belted Kingfisher in Colorado is projected to fall about 37% by 2030 — from 0.07 in 2025 to a central estimate of 0.04 (95% range 0.00–0.15). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±33.2%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

-37%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 →
0.04Projected 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 →
0.00–0.1595% 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 →
±33.2%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, Belted Kingfisher in Colorado is projected to fall about 37% by 2030 — from 0.07 in 2025 to a central estimate of 0.04 (95% range 0.00–0.15). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±33.2%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.19692030
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 →
20260.050.000.16
20270.050.000.16
20280.040.000.15
20290.040.000.15
20300.040.000.15

Belted Kingfisher Survey Routes in Colorado

Routes recording Belted Kingfisher in Colorado.
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 →
Fruita319891989
Radium320131998
Hudson220162016
Cortez 2220172017
Steamboat L.220241997
Fort Morgan220211996
Dolores Riv220011991
Gribbles Prk220072007
Gardner219981998
Maybell119921992
Yampa120211972
Harmony120161976
Arsenal120001992
Trail Ridge Road120042004
Buford120251973
Aspen120221980
Cheesman Lk120081971
Rosevale120182018
Arsenal 2120252016
Abarr119861972
Delta119821982
Colona119781978
Parlin120181979
Lamar119821982
Dolores119851969

Belted Kingfisher Population Trend in Other States

alabamaalaskaarizonaarkansascaliforniaconnecticutdelawarefloridageorgiaidahoillinoisindianaiowakansaskentuckylouisianamainemarylandmassachusettsmichiganminnesotamississippimissourimontananebraskanevadanew-hampshirenew-jerseynew-mexiconew-yorknorth-carolinanorth-dakotaohiooklahomaoregonpennsylvaniarhode-islandsouth-carolinasouth-dakotatennesseetexasutahvermontvirginiawashingtonwest-virginiawisconsinwyoming

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