BirdAnalyst
Species · BCR 11 · BBS 2025 Release · 1966–2024

Golden Eagle In Prairie Potholes

All regionsPrairie PotholesGeneralists

Golden Eagle in Prairie Potholes has edged down: down 24% on the route-weighted index since 1976.

-24%Since 1976TrendPercent 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 →
15Routes In RegionSurvey routesHow many standard-protocol BBS routes contributed counts. More routes means a steadier, better-sampled index; very thin coverage is suppressed.Full methodology →
40YearsYears surveyedNumber of years with at least one standard-protocol run in this geography. A longer record makes the trend more reliable.Full methodology →

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

No notable trend signals for Golden Eagle in Prairie Potholes. See the full index history below.

Golden Eagle In Prairie Potholes Population Forecast

If the recent trend holds, Golden Eagle in Prairie Potholes is projected to stay roughly flat through 2029, near 0.05 (95% range 0.00–0.11). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±249.9%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

n/aChange 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 →
0.05Projected 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 →
0.00–0.1195% 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 →
±249.9%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, Golden Eagle in Prairie Potholes is projected to stay roughly flat through 2029, near 0.05 (95% range 0.00–0.11). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±249.9%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.19712029
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 →
20250.050.000.11
20260.050.000.11
20270.050.000.11
20280.050.000.11
20290.050.000.11

Routes In Prairie Potholes

Routes recording Golden Eagle in Prairie Potholes.
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 →
WhitlashMONTANA42018
ClevelandMONTANA32015
ChinookMONTANA32016
HarlemMONTANA22002
Hay LakeMONTANA12021
SunburstMONTANA12002
VirgelleMONTANA12001
MaltaMONTANA12005
RedstoneMONTANA11973
Ester LakeMONTANA12015
SacoMONTANA12016
GlentanaMONTANA12018
Sun RiverMONTANA12024
StanleyNORTH-DAKOTA11995
GeddesSOUTH-DAKOTA11999

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