BirdAnalyst
Species · BCR 35 · BBS 2026 Release · 1966–2025

Black-necked Stilt In Chihuahuan Desert

All regionsChihuahuan DesertShorebirds

Black-necked Stilt in Chihuahuan Desert has surged: up 91% on the route-weighted index since 1995.

+91%Since 1995TrendPercent 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 →
10Routes In RegionSurvey routesHow many standard-protocol BBS routes contributed counts. More routes means a steadier, better-sampled index; very thin coverage is suppressed.Full methodology →
23YearsYears surveyedNumber of years with at least one standard-protocol run in this geography. A longer record makes the trend more reliable.Full methodology →

Notable SignalsNotable 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 increasecomputed 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 →

Black-necked Stilt has surged in Chihuahuan Desert: up 91% on the route-weighted index since 1995.

Black-necked Stilt In Chihuahuan Desert Population Forecast

If the recent trend holds, Black-necked Stilt in Chihuahuan Desert is projected to fall about 24% by 2030 — from 0.33 in 2025 to a central estimate of 0.25 (95% range 0.00–0.58). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±148.4%, with 60% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

-24%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 →
0.25Projected 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 →
0.00–0.5895% 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 →
±148.4%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, Black-necked Stilt in Chihuahuan Desert is projected to fall about 24% by 2030 — from 0.33 in 2025 to a central estimate of 0.25 (95% range 0.00–0.58). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±148.4%, with 60% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.19742030
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 →
20260.240.000.57
20270.240.000.57
20280.250.000.57
20290.250.000.58
20300.250.000.58

Routes In Chihuahuan Desert

Routes recording Black-necked Stilt in Chihuahuan Desert.
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 →
Quitman Canyon 2TEXAS132019
ColumbusNEW-MEXICO122025
SlaughterTEXAS42006
PresidioTEXAS42011
San AntonioNEW-MEXICO31974
Quitman Cyn.TEXAS32009
MesillaNEW-MEXICO22000
LaborcitaNEW-MEXICO12000
GirvinTEXAS12001
ToyahvaleTEXAS12017

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