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Species · Maryland · BBS 2026 Release · 1966–2025

Belted Kingfisher Population Trend in Maryland

All statesWetland birds

Belted Kingfisher in Maryland has fallen sharply: down 51% on the route-weighted index since 1968.

-51%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 →
69Routes 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 MarylandNotable 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 Maryland: down 51% on the route-weighted index since 1968.

Belted Kingfisher Population Forecast in Maryland

If the recent trend holds, Belted Kingfisher in Maryland is projected to fall about 57% by 2030 — from 0.29 in 2025 to a central estimate of 0.12 (95% range 0.00–0.36). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±40.1%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

-57%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 →
0.12Projected 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 →
0.00–0.3695% 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 →
±40.1%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, Belted Kingfisher in Maryland is projected to fall about 57% by 2030 — from 0.29 in 2025 to a central estimate of 0.12 (95% range 0.00–0.36). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±40.1%, 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 →
20260.140.000.37
20270.140.000.37
20280.130.000.36
20290.130.000.36
20300.120.000.36

Belted Kingfisher Survey Routes in Maryland

Routes recording Belted Kingfisher in Maryland.
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 →
La Plata620091984
Floyd420011967
Olney420251966
Earlton420242017
Madison319871967
Vienna320101966
Potomac Park220161971
Silver Spg219891967
Upper Xrds220031966
Van Bibber220101967
Piney Neck220001966
Easton220251967
Mt Nebo119891986
Vindex120181967
Oldtown119981970
Williamsport120251968
Smithsburg120091966
Wolfsville120231970
Emmitsburg120231967
Norwood120021976
Warfieldsbrg120171968
Pleasant Val120211966
Bachman Mill120251966
Fowblesburg120091966
Eklo120141968

Belted Kingfisher Population Trend in Other States

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

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