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

Cliff Swallow Population Trend in Alabama

All statesAerial insectivores

Cliff Swallow in Alabama has surged: up 173× on the route-weighted index since 1971.

173×Since 1971
66Routes In State
54Years

Notable Cliff Swallow Trends in Alabama

long arc increasecomputed index

Cliff Swallow has surged in Alabama: up 173× on the route-weighted index since 1971.

Cliff Swallow Population Forecast in Alabama

If the recent trend holds, Cliff Swallow in Alabama is projected to fall about 39% by 2029 — from 30 in 2024 to a central estimate of 18 (95% range 11–26). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±23.3%, with 80% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

-39%Change by 2029
18Projected 2029 index
11–2695% range
±23.3%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
2025179.324
2026179.625
20271810.025
2028181025
2029181126

Cliff Swallow Survey Routes in Alabama

Routes recording Cliff Swallow in Alabama.
Pine Grove70020241977
Epes50720241987
Triana41720122000
Sprott-Cahaba Riv30020141999
Riverside22720132000
Swaim18220241980
Guntersville10620171980
Mt Olive7020241996
Smyer Lake5720222009
Stevenson5220241996
Billingsley4020222000
Oneonta3020232005
Gastonburg3020222018
Seale3020172008
Vina2720231997
Talladega2720242003
Elkmont2320241994
Wheeler Dam2220231995
Valhermoso Spgs2020101978
Holt2020242003
Hillsboro1919931993
Wedgeworth1920241998
Childersburg1819991998
St. Elmo1820212001
Liberty1620222008

Cliff Swallow Population Trend in Other States

alaskaarizonaarkansascaliforniacoloradoconnecticutdelawarefloridageorgiaidahoillinoisindianaiowakansaskentuckylouisianamainemarylandmassachusettsmichiganminnesotamississippimissourimontananebraskanevadanew-hampshirenew-jerseynew-mexiconew-yorknorth-carolinanorth-dakotaohiooklahomaoregonpennsylvaniasouth-carolinasouth-dakotatennesseetexasutahvermontvirginiawashingtonwest-virginiawisconsinwyoming

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