BirdAnalyst
Species · North Dakota · BBS 2025 Release · 1966–2024

Cliff Swallow Population Trend in North Dakota

All statesAerial insectivores

Cliff Swallow in North Dakota has surged: up 203% on the route-weighted index since 1969.

+203%Since 1969
51Routes In State
57Years

Notable Cliff Swallow Trends in North Dakota

long arc increasecomputed index

Cliff Swallow has surged in North Dakota: up 202% on the route-weighted index since 1969.

Cliff Swallow Population Forecast in North Dakota

If the recent trend holds, Cliff Swallow in North Dakota is projected to rise about 43% by 2029 — from 55 in 2024 to a central estimate of 79 (95% range 56–101). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±33.7%, with 40% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

+43%Change by 2029
79Projected 2029 index
56–10195% range
±33.7%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
2025755298
2026765399
20277754100
20287855100
20297956101

Cliff Swallow Survey Routes in North Dakota

Routes recording Cliff Swallow in North Dakota.
Braddock55520221988
Bowesmont42020141968
Nash39620171980
Cooperstown28020241970
Abercrombie 225520182013
Buchanan25220241967
Dunn Center17420241975
Ft Yates16520041968
Abercrombie14720121983
Edgeley11920241980
Gorham10720181977
Sydney10419831967
Douglas Crk9120241982
Regan8420221968
Rolla8020241973
Parshall8020131982
Bowesmont 27520162015
Carpio5720231967
Solen5720242005
Dickinson5520242000
Tobacco5520181969
Golva5220231979
Montpelier4420241990
Emerado4120241974
Carson4120241988

Cliff Swallow Population Trend in Other States

alabamaalaskaarizonaarkansascaliforniacoloradoconnecticutdelawarefloridageorgiaidahoillinoisindianaiowakansaskentuckylouisianamainemarylandmassachusettsmichiganminnesotamississippimissourimontananebraskanevadanew-hampshirenew-jerseynew-mexiconew-yorknorth-carolinaohiooklahomaoregonpennsylvaniasouth-carolinasouth-dakotatennesseetexasutahvermontvirginiawashingtonwest-virginiawisconsinwyoming

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