BirdAnalyst
Species · Nebraska · BBS 2025 Release · 1966–2024

Brown-headed Cowbird Population Trend in Nebraska

All statesGeneralists

Brown-headed Cowbird in Nebraska has increased: up 25% on the route-weighted index since 1969.

+25%Since 1969TrendPercent 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 →
76Routes 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 →
57YearsYears surveyedNumber of years with at least one standard-protocol run in this geography. A longer record makes the trend more reliable.Full methodology →

Notable Brown-headed Cowbird Trends in NebraskaNotable signalsLong-arc shifts the engine flags automatically — sustained declines or increases large enough to stand out from year-to-year noise.Full methodology →

No notable trend signals for Brown-headed Cowbird in Nebraska. See the full index history below.

Brown-headed Cowbird Population Forecast in Nebraska

If the recent trend holds, Brown-headed Cowbird in Nebraska is projected to stay roughly flat through 2029, near 33 (95% range 22–44). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±22.2%, with 60% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

-10%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 →
33Projected 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 →
22–4495% 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 →
±22.2%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, Brown-headed Cowbird in Nebraska is projected to stay roughly flat through 2029, near 33 (95% range 22–44). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±22.2%, with 60% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.19672029
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 →
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Brown-headed Cowbird Survey Routes in Nebraska

Routes recording Brown-headed Cowbird in Nebraska.
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 →
Sumner16620241967
Sparta14920211967
Berwyn 210820212014
Winside 210820222005
Kenesaw10520241967
Ponca8520242018
Surprise8320241967
Chambers7820232023
Berwyn7220101993
Table7120241973
Tilden6520242019
Crookston6420242018
Bartley6320241967
Hampton6320242018
Swan Lake5720231969
Wheeler Co5720241978
Hendley5520242018
Murdock5320242018
Liberty5120031967
Lyons4920242018
Oconto4619811968
Hay Springs4620242018
Almeria4520211969
Belvidere4420241967
Petersburg4320231969

Brown-headed Cowbird Population Trend in Other States

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

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