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Species · Massachusetts · BBS 2025 Release · 1966–2024

Killdeer Population Trend in Massachusetts

All statesShorebirds

Killdeer in Massachusetts has fallen sharply: down 68% on the route-weighted index since 1968.

-68%Since 1968
30Routes In State
58Years

Notable Killdeer Trends in Massachusetts

long arc declinecomputed index

Killdeer has fallen sharply in Massachusetts: down 68% on the route-weighted index since 1968.

Killdeer Population Forecast in Massachusetts

If the recent trend holds, Killdeer in Massachusetts is projected to fall about 54% by 2029 — from 0.80 in 2024 to a central estimate of 0.37 (95% range 0.00–1.1). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±71.7%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

-54%Change by 2029
0.37Projected 2029 index
0.00–1.195% range
±71.7%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
20250.440.001.2
20260.420.001.1
20270.410.001.1
20280.390.001.1
20290.370.001.1

Killdeer Survey Routes in Massachusetts

Routes recording Killdeer in Massachusetts.
Mansfield420241968
Holden420211984
S Barre320241969
E Dennis219781977
Marion220241966
Wellfleet220071979
Prattville220161966
Warren220061968
Cummington 2220152015
Hancock220142001
Brockton120111975
Newburyport120221967
Maynard120211967
Littleton120221967
N Oxford120241969
Princeton119741972
E Pepperell119931966
Belchertown120211967
N Orange119991968
Cummington120131971
Chesterfield120181973
Cheshire119941970
Pittsfield120051968
Sheffield120131970
Monterey120232023

Killdeer Population Trend in Other States

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

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