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

Killdeer Population Trend in Iowa

All statesShorebirds

Killdeer in Iowa has surged: up 669% on the route-weighted index since 1969.

+669%Since 1969
39Routes In State
57Years

Notable Killdeer Trends in Iowa

long arc increasecomputed index

Killdeer has surged in Iowa: up 668% on the route-weighted index since 1969.

Killdeer Population Forecast in Iowa

If the recent trend holds, Killdeer in Iowa is projected to rise about 19% by 2029 — from 23 in 2024 to a central estimate of 27 (95% range 23–32). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±15.2%, with 60% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

+19%Change by 2029
27Projected 2029 index
23–3295% range
±15.2%Backtest error
19672029
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
2025262130
2026262130
2027262231
2028272231
2029272332

Killdeer Survey Routes in Iowa

Routes recording Killdeer in Iowa.
Cedar Valley6819971968
Tipton5420241993
Gaza5220231969
Davis Corner3820241968
Mccallsburg3720241996
Zearing3519951967
Festina3520241969
Kanawha3420241967
Dinsdale3120241968
Burchinal2420241995
Red Rock2320241968
West Liberty2220241968
Panther2220241967
Titonka2220241968
Melrose2120241974
Wales2120181972
Rock Valley2020241968
Bryant1820241967
Lafayette1820242003
Brooklyn1620221967
Mt Hamill1520241967
Maquoketa1520241967
Scranton1520241967
Washington1320241967
Alice1319991967

Killdeer Population Trend in Other States

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

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