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Species · Kentucky · BBS 2026 Release · 1966–2025

Belted Kingfisher Population Trend in Kentucky

All statesWetland birds

Belted Kingfisher in Kentucky has held roughly steady: down 8% on the route-weighted index since 1968.

-8%Since 1968TrendPercent 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 →
59Routes 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 →
59YearsYears 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 KentuckyNotable signalsLong-arc shifts the engine flags automatically — sustained declines or increases large enough to stand out from year-to-year noise.Full methodology →

No notable trend signals for Belted Kingfisher in Kentucky. See the full index history below.

Belted Kingfisher Population Forecast in Kentucky

If the recent trend holds, Belted Kingfisher in Kentucky is projected to fall about 41% by 2030 — from 0.50 in 2025 to a central estimate of 0.30 (95% range 0.00–0.78). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±33%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

-41%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 →
0.30Projected 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 →
0.00–0.7895% 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%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 Kentucky is projected to fall about 41% by 2030 — from 0.50 in 2025 to a central estimate of 0.30 (95% range 0.00–0.78). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±33%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.19662030
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 →
20260.320.000.81
20270.320.000.80
20280.310.000.79
20290.300.000.79
20300.300.000.78

Belted Kingfisher Survey Routes in Kentucky

Routes recording Belted Kingfisher in Kentucky.
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 →
Million419861970
Cumberlnd Gp320181967
Hustonville320221969
Sewell Shop320251967
East Union320221968
Paintsville319941979
Campton320211979
Levee 2320192007
Iron Bridge219881978
Riverqueen220252008
Pippa Passes219971988
Pine Ridge219761968
Merrimac220221967
Gatewood219951971
Joy220231968
Kehoe219921973
Staffordsvil219971996
Lovelacevile120131967
Shiloh120221967
Canton120241969
Keysburg120061971
Cedar Grove120181967
Sulphur Lick120221966
Hegira120222022
Sunnybrook120181968

Belted Kingfisher Population Trend in Other States

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

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