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

Bufflehead Population Trend in Montana

All statesWaterfowl

Bufflehead in Montana has surged: up 252% on the route-weighted index since 1979.

+252%Since 1979
16Routes In State
30Years

Notable Bufflehead Trends in Montana

long arc increasecomputed index

Bufflehead has surged in Montana: up 252% on the route-weighted index since 1979.

Bufflehead Population Forecast in Montana

If the recent trend holds, Bufflehead in Montana is projected to fall about 41% by 2029 — from 0.23 in 2024 to a central estimate of 0.14 (95% range 0.00–0.33). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±81.9%, with 60% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

-41%Change by 2029
0.14Projected 2029 index
0.00–0.3395% range
±81.9%Backtest error
19742029
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
20250.130.000.33
20260.130.000.33
20270.130.000.33
20280.140.000.33
20290.140.000.33

Bufflehead Survey Routes in Montana

Routes recording Bufflehead in Montana.
Hebgen Lake1620242017
Virgelle520232023
Red Rock419951995
Shawmut419951979
Westby320192019
St Mary220081987
Sunburst219961996
St. Mary 2220242009
East Glacier Park220242024
Wise River220072007
Two Dot220012000
Dinosaurs H.M.220192019
Inside Road120052005
Kalispell120121974
Clancy120232015
Augusta120221991

Bufflehead Population Trend in Other States

alaskacaliforniacoloradoidahominnesotanevadanorth-dakotaoregonsouth-dakotautahwashingtonwisconsinwyoming

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