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

Mallard Population Trend in Montana

All statesWaterfowl

Mallard in Montana has edged down: down 19% on the route-weighted index since 1970.

-19%Since 1970
105Routes In State
56Years

Notable Mallard Trends in Montana

No notable trend signals for Mallard in Montana. See the full index history below.

Mallard Population Forecast in Montana

If the recent trend holds, Mallard in Montana is projected to rise about 26% by 2029 — from 3.3 in 2024 to a central estimate of 4.2 (95% range 0.47–7.9). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±26.7%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

+26%Change by 2029
4.2Projected 2029 index
0.47–7.995% range
±26.7%Backtest error
19682029
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
20254.20.538.0
20264.20.518.0
20274.20.507.9
20284.20.487.9
20294.20.477.9

Mallard Survey Routes in Montana

Routes recording Mallard in Montana.
Great Falls3120241972
Oswego2820241978
St Xavier2520101979
Heart Butte2520192016
Ester Lake2420242015
Hay Lake2020221989
Saco1920232015
Pablo Res.1720241995
Chinook1720242016
Westby1720242015
Webster1620241978
Hebgen Lake1620242017
Jordan1120241968
Shawmut1120241979
Winifred1020232023
Reed Point920241981
Locate820241986
Elliston720231970
Ingomar720231968
Wise River720221993
Brandenberg620141968
Noxon620212000
East Glacier Park620242015
Philipsburg620242015
Cleveland520241979

Mallard Population Trend in Other States

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

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