Species · Montana · BBS 2025 Release · 1966–2024

Black-billed Cuckoo Population Trend in Montana

Black-billed Cuckoo in Montana has fallen sharply: down 71% on the route-weighted index since 1971.

-71%Since 1971
29Routes In State
37Years

Notable Black-billed Cuckoo Trends in Montana

long arc declinecomputed index

Black-billed Cuckoo has fallen sharply in Montana: down 71% on the route-weighted index since 1971.

Black-billed Cuckoo Population Forecast in Montana

If the recent trend holds, Black-billed Cuckoo in Montana is projected to fall about 100% by 2028 — from 0.08 in 2023 to a central estimate of 0.00 (95% range 0.00–0.23). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±246.8%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

-100%Change by 2028
0.00Projected 2028 index
0.000.2395% range
±246.8%Backtest error
19682028
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
20240.000.000.23
20250.000.000.23
20260.000.000.23
20270.000.000.23
20280.000.000.23

Black-billed Cuckoo Survey Routes in Montana

Routes recording Black-billed Cuckoo in Montana.
Brandenberg819811969
Chuffey Spring620232023
Savage319781978
Willow Creek 2220141983
St Mary119891989
Cleveland119831983
Harlem119801980
Glasgow120001989
Oswego120122012
Bull Mtn.119951995
Augusta119811977
Highwood120121989
Jordan119941994
Circle120021979
Flatwillow119891968
Ingomar119781968
Forsyth119911989
Locate120081984
Webster119891979
Twin Bridges119761968
Willow Creek119781973
Chestnut119891968
Reed Point119921977
Laurel119971975
St Xavier119941982

Black-billed Cuckoo Population Trend in Other States

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