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

Brown-headed Cowbird Population Trend in Texas

All statesGeneralists

Brown-headed Cowbird in Texas has fallen sharply: down 61% on the route-weighted index since 1969.

-61%Since 1969
246Routes In State
57Years

Notable Brown-headed Cowbird Trends in Texas

long arc declinecomputed index

Brown-headed Cowbird has fallen sharply in Texas: down 61% on the route-weighted index since 1969.

Brown-headed Cowbird Population Forecast in Texas

If the recent trend holds, Brown-headed Cowbird in Texas is projected to fall about 32% by 2029 — from 9.4 in 2024 to a central estimate of 6.4 (95% range 2.9–9.9). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±11.7%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

-32%Change by 2029
6.4Projected 2029 index
2.9–9.995% range
±11.7%Backtest error
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 index95% low95% high
20257.43.811
20267.13.611
20276.93.410
20286.63.110
20296.42.99.9

Brown-headed Cowbird Survey Routes in Texas

Routes recording Brown-headed Cowbird in Texas.
Oyster Lake5820241995
Cactus5120241994
Rhome4820241967
Three Rivers4820241994
Hondo4720241969
Chinquapin4620241995
E Georgetown4019791967
Duran3819991995
Oakwood3719951967
Winnie3420241967
Georgetown3119851967
Quitman Cyn.2920091999
Dripping Spg2820241985
Goliad Prairie2820162004
Mcfaddin2520162006
Comanche2520242000
Shields 22520232004
San Saba2420241969
Decatur2420241995
Harper2320241969
Chandler2320041968
Booker2320241975
Loyola Beach2320091994
Brite2320241994
Rachal2220231967

Brown-headed Cowbird Population Trend in Other States

alabamaalaskaarizonaarkansascaliforniacoloradoconnecticutdelawarefloridageorgiaidahoillinoisindianaiowakansaskentuckylouisianamainemarylandmassachusettsmichiganminnesotamississippimissourimontananebraskanevadanew-hampshirenew-jerseynew-mexiconew-yorknorth-carolinanorth-dakotaohiooklahomaoregonpennsylvaniarhode-islandsouth-carolinasouth-dakotatennesseeutahvermontvirginiawashingtonwest-virginiawisconsinwyoming

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