BirdAnalyst
Species · BBS 2025 Release · 1966–2024

Bufflehead

AnatidaeWaterfowlBucephala albeola

Bufflehead has surged: up 484% on the route-weighted index since 1971.

+484%Since 1971TrendPercent 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 →
126RoutesSurvey routesHow many standard-protocol BBS routes contributed counts. More routes means a steadier, better-sampled index; very thin coverage is suppressed.Full methodology →
55Years SurveyedYears surveyedNumber of years with at least one standard-protocol run in this geography. A longer record makes the trend more reliable.Full methodology →

About the Bufflehead

The Bufflehead (Bucephala albeola) is a North American member of the Ducks, Geese & Waterfowl (Anatidae). In this analysis it is grouped with the waterfowl.

Size
12–43.5 in long (30–110 cm) — a medium to large waterfowl (typical for the family)
Habitat
Lakes, ponds, rivers, marshes and sheltered coastal waters.
Diet
Aquatic plants, seeds and invertebrates, dabbled at the surface or dived for.
Range
Recorded on 126 Breeding Bird Survey routes across 14 states, most concentrated in the BCR 4.
Family
Anatidae · Waterfowl

Notable Bufflehead TrendsNotable 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 Bufflehead. See the full index history below.

Bufflehead Population Forecast

If the recent trend holds, Bufflehead is projected to fall about 27% by 2029 — from 0.05 in 2024 to a central estimate of 0.04 (95% range 0.02–0.06). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±34.4%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

-27%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 →
0.04Projected 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 →
0.02–0.0695% 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 →
±34.4%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, Bufflehead is projected to fall about 27% by 2029 — from 0.05 in 2024 to a central estimate of 0.04 (95% range 0.02–0.06). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±34.4%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.19692029
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 →
20250.040.010.06
20260.040.010.06
20270.040.010.06
20280.040.020.06
20290.040.020.06

Where the Bufflehead Is Detected

BBS routes recording Bufflehead, sized by most recent count.

Bufflehead Population Trend by State

Bufflehead population trend by state.
TrendPercent 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 →Baseline yearThe first year of the smoothed window the trend is measured from. An earlier baseline means a longer record stands behind the number.Full methodology →Survey routesHow many standard-protocol BBS routes contributed counts. More routes means a steadier, better-sampled index; very thin coverage is suppressed.Full methodology →
Alaska-36%198638
California+112%198813
Coloradoinsufficient datan/a1
Idaho-43%198710
Minnesotainsufficient datan/a2
Montana+252%197916
Nevadainsufficient datan/a1
North Dakota11×198511
Oregon-82%197114
South Dakotainsufficient datan/a2
Utahinsufficient datan/a1
Washingtoninsufficient datan/a7
Wisconsininsufficient datan/a1
Wyoming-56%19899

Bufflehead Population Trend by Region

Bird Conservation Regions are the ecological unit for trends.

Bufflehead population trend by Bird Conservation Region.
TrendPercent 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 →Baseline yearThe first year of the smoothed window the trend is measured from. An earlier baseline means a longer record stands behind the number.Full methodology →Survey routesHow many standard-protocol BBS routes contributed counts. More routes means a steadier, better-sampled index; very thin coverage is suppressed.Full methodology →
BCR 4-38%198735
Great Basin-77%197127
Northern Rockies+223%198128
Prairie Potholes+938%198515

Bufflehead Conservation Status

Our route-weighted index shows it up about 484% since 1971.

Source: USGS North American Breeding Bird Survey, retrieved 2026-05-22. Trend is a route-weighted relative-abundance index, not an absolute population.