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

Greater Prairie-Chicken Population Trend in Wisconsin

All statesGrassland birds

Greater Prairie-Chicken in Wisconsin has declined: down 40% on the route-weighted index since 1978.

-40%Since 1978TrendPercent 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 →
4Routes 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 →
25YearsYears surveyedNumber of years with at least one standard-protocol run in this geography. A longer record makes the trend more reliable.Full methodology →

Notable Greater Prairie-Chicken Trends in WisconsinNotable 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 Greater Prairie-Chicken in Wisconsin. See the full index history below.

Greater Prairie-Chicken Population Forecast in Wisconsin

If the recent trend holds, Greater Prairie-Chicken in Wisconsin is projected to stay roughly flat through 2027, near 0.03 (95% range 0.00–0.15). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±457.7%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

n/aChange by 2027TrendPercent 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 →
0.03Projected 2027 indexProjected indexThe central forecast of the abundance index if the recent trend continues. A projection of the current trajectory, not a prediction.Full methodology →
0.00–0.1595% 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 →
±457.7%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, Greater Prairie-Chicken in Wisconsin is projected to stay roughly flat through 2027, near 0.03 (95% range 0.00–0.15). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±457.7%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.19752027
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 →
20230.040.000.15
20240.040.000.15
20250.030.000.15
20260.030.000.15
20270.030.000.15

Greater Prairie-Chicken Survey Routes in Wisconsin

Routes recording Greater Prairie-Chicken in Wisconsin.
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 →
Unity320011977
Wis Rapids120021975
Buena Vista120221998
Colby120022001

Greater Prairie-Chicken Population Trend in Other States

coloradoillinoiskansasminnesotamissourinebraskanorth-dakotaoklahomasouth-dakota

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