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

Common Raven Population Trend in Montana

All statesGeneralists

Common Raven in Montana has surged: up 374% on the route-weighted index since 1970.

+374%Since 1970TrendPercent 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 →
93Routes In StateSurvey routesHow many standard-protocol BBS routes contributed counts. More routes means a steadier, better-sampled index; very thin coverage is suppressed.Full methodology →
56YearsYears surveyedNumber of years with at least one standard-protocol run in this geography. A longer record makes the trend more reliable.Full methodology →

Notable Common Raven Trends in MontanaNotable signalsLong-arc shifts the engine flags automatically — sustained declines or increases large enough to stand out from year-to-year noise.Full methodology →

long arc increasecomputed indexTrend sourceWhether the figure is our own computed route-weighted index or an official USGS modeled estimate. The current build labels every trend as computed.Full methodology →

Common Raven has surged in Montana: up 374% on the route-weighted index since 1970.

Common Raven Population Forecast in Montana

If the recent trend holds, Common Raven in Montana is projected to fall about 12% by 2029 — from 6.6 in 2024 to a central estimate of 5.8 (95% range 4.3–7.3). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±23.7%, with 80% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

-12%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 →
5.8Projected 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 →
4.3–7.395% 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 →
±23.7%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, Common Raven in Montana is projected to fall about 12% by 2029 — from 6.6 in 2024 to a central estimate of 5.8 (95% range 4.3–7.3). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±23.7%, with 80% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.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 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 →
20255.54.07.0
20265.64.17.0
20275.74.27.1
20285.74.37.2
20295.84.37.3

Common Raven Survey Routes in Montana

Routes recording Common Raven in Montana.
Recent countThe raw number of individuals recorded on this route in its most recent survey year. A single-route tally, not a trend.Full methodology →
Boulder11920241975
Wolf Creek4120222015
Philipsburg2420242015
Polson2320241977
Clyde Park2220242018
Church Hill1720242017
Willow Creek 21620241983
Threemile Wa1420241993
Glen1320241978
Wheat Basin1320242017
Two Dot1120241976
Beaverhead1120241975
East Glacier Park1120242015
Heart Butte1120242015
Fort Logan1120242018
Leroy1020242005
Brusett1020242017
Elliston1020241968
Red Rock1020241974
Ninemile1020241993
Noxon1020231995
St. Mary 21020242010
Cleveland920241997
Fish Creek920241995
Freeman Creek920162015

Common Raven Population Trend in Other States

alaskaarizonacaliforniacoloradoconnecticutgeorgiaidahokentuckymainemarylandmassachusettsmichiganminnesotanebraskanevadanew-hampshirenew-jerseynew-mexiconew-yorknorth-carolinanorth-dakotaohiooklahomaoregonpennsylvaniarhode-islandsouth-carolinatennesseetexasutahvermontvirginiawashingtonwest-virginiawisconsinwyoming

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