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Species · Minnesota · BBS 2025 Release · 1966–2024

Cliff Swallow Population Trend in Minnesota

All statesAerial insectivores

Cliff Swallow in Minnesota has surged: up 292% on the route-weighted index since 1969.

+292%Since 1969
82Routes In State
57Years

Notable Cliff Swallow Trends in Minnesota

long arc increasecomputed index

Cliff Swallow has surged in Minnesota: up 292% on the route-weighted index since 1969.

Cliff Swallow Population Forecast in Minnesota

If the recent trend holds, Cliff Swallow in Minnesota is projected to rise about 26% by 2029 — from 27 in 2024 to a central estimate of 34 (95% range 5.5–63). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±72.7%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

+26%Change by 2029
34Projected 2029 index
5.5–6395% range
±72.7%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
2025345.263
2026345.363
2027345.363
2028345.463
2029345.563

Cliff Swallow Survey Routes in Minnesota

Routes recording Cliff Swallow in Minnesota.
Lockhart25020241993
Millville22720191968
Oklee17820211969
Beltrami16520241973
Erie15420171976
Wylie13720241969
Tyler13720241995
Caledonia12620102007
Appleton9920241978
Whitewater 28420192011
Chokio8020241981
Edwards7220241975
Chatfield 26820242003
St Stephen6120161975
Glyndon5920241978
Money Creek5820241989
Dawson5020241978
Big Stone4420121995
Chandler4220231974
Huntley4020241967
Waskish4020241978
Le Roy3820241993
Ash Creek3420241983
Lake Bronson3320111978
Sherburne Nr3220241990

Cliff Swallow Population Trend in Other States

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

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