BirdAnalyst
Species · New Mexico · BBS 2025 Release · 1966–2024

Brown-headed Cowbird Population Trend in New Mexico

All statesGeneralists

Brown-headed Cowbird in New Mexico has held roughly steady: down 7% on the route-weighted index since 1970.

-7%Since 1970
84Routes In State
56Years

Notable Brown-headed Cowbird Trends in New Mexico

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

Brown-headed Cowbird Population Forecast in New Mexico

If the recent trend holds, Brown-headed Cowbird in New Mexico is projected to rise about 30% by 2029 — from 2.5 in 2024 to a central estimate of 3.3 (95% range 0.52–6.0). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±105.7%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

+30%Change by 2029
3.3Projected 2029 index
0.52–6.095% range
±105.7%Backtest error
19682029
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
20253.30.566.1
20263.30.556.0
20273.30.546.0
20283.30.536.0
20293.30.526.0

Brown-headed Cowbird Survey Routes in New Mexico

Routes recording Brown-headed Cowbird in New Mexico.
Mesilla2020001992
Floyd1820191975
Aztec1819891988
San Antonio1719771974
Columbus1620241992
Red Rock1520241992
Capulin1519931993
Pastura1420161994
Claunch 21020242001
Sunshine Wll1020211992
Valencia819971968
Angel Fire820021992
Variadero820221994
Sabinoso820211980
Tucumcari719751975
Claunch720001978
Hatchet Peak720241992
Farley620241979
Logan620241977
Maxwell620241996
Farmington519871975
Correo519821977
Gage520241968
Laborcita520191992
Crownpoint419961988

Brown-headed Cowbird Population Trend in Other States

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

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