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

Gray Catbird Population Trend in Illinois

All statesGeneralists

Gray Catbird in Illinois has risen sharply: up 57% on the route-weighted index since 1968.

+57%Since 1968
105Routes In State
58Years

Notable Gray Catbird Trends in Illinois

long arc increasecomputed index

Gray Catbird has risen sharply in Illinois: up 56% on the route-weighted index since 1968.

Gray Catbird Population Forecast in Illinois

If the recent trend holds, Gray Catbird in Illinois is projected to stay roughly flat through 2029, near 5.0 (95% range 3.6–6.3). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±28.7%, with 20% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

-5%Change by 2029
5.0Projected 2029 index
3.6–6.395% range
±28.7%Backtest error
19662029
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
20254.83.56.2
20264.93.56.2
20274.93.56.3
20284.93.66.3
20295.03.66.3

Gray Catbird Survey Routes in Illinois

Routes recording Gray Catbird in Illinois.
Belleview3120241966
Sheffield2820241966
Terre Haute2020241966
Melrose1919991973
Mill Creek1420241966
Alden1420232019
Athensville1320241971
Lake Galena1320212001
Geneseo1220211967
Wayne1220241966
Monica1220191973
Seneca1220241993
Atkinson1120241966
Shannon1120241993
Lake Summerset1120222001
Guilford1020231967
Buda1020231979
Stillwell1020241971
Beaucoup1020241971
Caledonia1020241993
Sherrard1020241993
Duncan Mills1020241993
Bartonville920241973
Concord920241967
Keithsburg920222001

Gray Catbird Population Trend in Other States

alabamaarizonaarkansascoloradoconnecticutdelawarefloridageorgiaidahoindianaiowakansaskentuckylouisianamainemarylandmassachusettsmichiganminnesotamississippimissourimontananebraskanevadanew-hampshirenew-jerseynew-mexiconew-yorknorth-carolinanorth-dakotaohiooklahomaoregonpennsylvaniarhode-islandsouth-carolinasouth-dakotatennesseetexasutahvermontvirginiawashingtonwest-virginiawisconsinwyoming

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