Species · Illinois · BBS 2025 Release · 1966–2024

Black-billed Cuckoo Population Trend in Illinois

Black-billed Cuckoo in Illinois has collapsed: down 91% on the route-weighted index since 1968.

-91%Since 1968
62Routes In State
55Years

Notable Black-billed Cuckoo Trends in Illinois

long arc declinecomputed index

Black-billed Cuckoo has collapsed in Illinois: down 91% on the route-weighted index since 1968.

Black-billed Cuckoo Population Forecast in Illinois

If the recent trend holds, Black-billed Cuckoo in Illinois is projected to stay roughly flat through 2028, near 0.00 (95% range 0.00–0.25). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±309.4%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

n/aChange by 2028
0.00Projected 2028 index
0.000.2595% range
±309.4%Backtest error
19662028
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
20240.000.000.25
20250.000.000.25
20260.000.000.25
20270.000.000.25
20280.000.000.25

Black-billed Cuckoo Survey Routes in Illinois

Routes recording Black-billed Cuckoo in Illinois.
Guilford420231973
Holcomb320081972
Geneseo320131967
Compton319731973
Mill Creek220071966
Putnam219901990
Chandlervill219731972
Deer Creek219971978
Milford220071970
Concord220111967
Rosamond219781978
Grape Creek220192019
Caledonia220161993
Seneca220212021
Cherry Val119931973
Barrington119911972
Atkinson119891982
Sheffield120041966
Buda119911977
Streator119921972
Wayne119971975
Newark119901990
Sherburnvill120191979
New Lenox119911966
Gulfport119911982

Black-billed Cuckoo Population Trend in Other States

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