Species · BCR 17 · BBS 2025 Release · 1966–2024

Merlin In Badlands and Prairies

Merlin in Badlands and Prairies has edged up: up 21% on the route-weighted index since 1977.

+21%Since 1977
29Routes In Region
28Years

Notable Signals

No notable trend signals for Merlin in Badlands and Prairies. See the full index history below.

Forecast

If the recent trend holds, Merlin in Badlands and Prairies is projected to fall about 56% by 2029 — from 0.07 in 2024 to a central estimate of 0.03 (95% range 0.00–0.07). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±24.8%, with 80% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

-56%Change by 2029
0.03Projected 2029 index
0.000.0795% range
±24.8%Backtest error
19702029
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
20250.030.000.07
20260.030.000.07
20270.030.000.07
20280.030.000.07
20290.030.000.07

Routes In Badlands and Prairies

Routes recording Merlin in Badlands and Prairies.
PromiseSOUTH-DAKOTA32012
IngomarMONTANA22024
ForsythMONTANA22022
BillWYOMING21999
ShawneeWYOMING22019
Seely 2WYOMING22003
Two DotMONTANA12005
FlatwillowMONTANA11999
LocateMONTANA12016
BrandenbergMONTANA11991
PowdervilleMONTANA12017
Dinosaurs H.M.MONTANA12018
Maynard CouleeMONTANA12024
Bull Mtn.MONTANA12009
Oglala Nat. Grass.NEBRASKA12002
Dunn CenterNORTH-DAKOTA12024
GolvaNORTH-DAKOTA12003
CarsonNORTH-DAKOTA12006
HardingSOUTH-DAKOTA11990
Cedar PassSOUTH-DAKOTA11970
RevaSOUTH-DAKOTA11992
MarcusSOUTH-DAKOTA12003
CottonwoodSOUTH-DAKOTA12010
SundanceWYOMING12007
SeelyWYOMING12000

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