BirdAnalyst
Species · South Carolina · BBS 2025 Release · 1966–2024

Belted Kingfisher Population Trend in South Carolina

All statesGeneralists

Belted Kingfisher in South Carolina has fallen sharply: down 54% on the route-weighted index since 1968.

-54%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 →
38Routes 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 Belted Kingfisher Trends in South CarolinaNotable 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 South Carolina: down 54% on the route-weighted index since 1968.

Belted Kingfisher Population Forecast in South Carolina

If the recent trend holds, Belted Kingfisher in South Carolina is projected to fall about 81% by 2029 — from 0.33 in 2024 to a central estimate of 0.06 (95% range 0.00–0.38). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±34.8%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

-81%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 →
0.06Projected 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 →
0.00–0.3895% 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 →
±34.8%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 South Carolina is projected to fall about 81% by 2029 — from 0.33 in 2024 to a central estimate of 0.06 (95% range 0.00–0.38). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±34.8%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.19662029
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 →
20250.090.000.41
20260.090.000.41
20270.080.000.40
20280.070.000.39
20290.060.000.38

Belted Kingfisher Survey Routes in South Carolina

Routes recording Belted Kingfisher in South Carolina.
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 →
Sandhills520241994
Salem320142014
New Holland219931968
Little Mtn219861966
Plum Branch220141977
Chesnee220052001
Red Bluff219981997
Jamestown119721972
Hardeeville119711967
Rome120121971
Holly Hill120231972
Coward120011966
Foreston119801966
Wagener119931993
Dillon120181971
Bishopville119981975
Boykin Ml Pd119681967
Walterboro119751975
Salem Xrd120071986
Owings120042004
Barton Creek120221967
Boiling Spgs119761973
Nixonville119931993
Campobello120242024
Whitmire120242024

Belted Kingfisher Population Trend in Other States

alabamaalaskaarizonaarkansascaliforniacoloradoconnecticutdelawarefloridageorgiaidahoillinoisindianaiowakansaskentuckylouisianamainemarylandmassachusettsmichiganminnesotamississippimissourimontananebraskanevadanew-hampshirenew-jerseynew-mexiconew-yorknorth-carolinanorth-dakotaohiooklahomaoregonpennsylvaniarhode-islandsouth-dakotatennesseetexasutahvermontvirginiawashingtonwest-virginiawisconsinwyoming

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