BirdAnalyst
Species · BCR 17 · BBS 2026 Release · 1966–2025

Golden Eagle In Badlands and Prairies

All regionsBadlands and PrairiesBirds of prey

Golden Eagle in Badlands and Prairies has surged: up 93% on the route-weighted index since 1970.

+93%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 →
103Routes 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 →
57YearsYears 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 →

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 →

Golden Eagle has surged in Badlands and Prairies: up 93% on the route-weighted index since 1970.

Golden Eagle In Badlands and Prairies Population Forecast

If the recent trend holds, Golden Eagle in Badlands and Prairies is projected to rise about 16% by 2030 — from 0.24 in 2025 to a central estimate of 0.27 (95% range 0.10–0.45). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±19.9%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

+16%Change by 2030TrendPercent 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 →
0.27Projected 2030 indexProjected indexThe central forecast of the abundance index if the recent trend continues. A projection of the current trajectory, not a prediction.Full methodology →
0.10–0.4595% 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 →
±19.9%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 Badlands and Prairies is projected to rise about 16% by 2030 — from 0.24 in 2025 to a central estimate of 0.27 (95% range 0.10–0.45). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±19.9%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.19682030
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 →
20260.270.100.44
20270.270.100.44
20280.270.100.44
20290.270.100.44
20300.270.100.45

Routes In Badlands and Prairies

Routes recording Golden Eagle in Badlands and Prairies.
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 →
NatronaWYOMING61992
Soda WellWYOMING52023
GlenrockWYOMING41976
JordanMONTANA32023
Miles CityMONTANA32023
HighlightWYOMING32007
RavenWYOMING32025
BucknumWYOMING32018
HampshireWYOMING32022
SavageMONTANA21995
IngomarMONTANA22024
St XavierMONTANA22006
PowdervilleMONTANA22022
Jordan SouthMONTANA22024
Dinosaurs H.M.MONTANA22025
ZapNORTH-DAKOTA22019
GorhamNORTH-DAKOTA22004
OwankaSOUTH-DAKOTA22001
MaurineSOUTH-DAKOTA22025
WyarnoWYOMING22019
DaytonWYOMING22021
RecluseWYOMING22024
SeelyWYOMING21993
Teapot DomeWYOMING21987
MayoworthWYOMING22011

Source: USGS North American Breeding Bird Survey, retrieved 2026-08-14.