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

Mourning Dove Population Trend in Iowa

All statesGeneralists

Mourning Dove in Iowa has held roughly steady: down 7% on the route-weighted index since 1969.

-7%Since 1969TrendPercent 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 →
39Routes 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 →
57YearsYears surveyedNumber of years with at least one standard-protocol run in this geography. A longer record makes the trend more reliable.Full methodology →

Notable Mourning Dove Trends in IowaNotable 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 Mourning Dove in Iowa. See the full index history below.

Mourning Dove Population Forecast in Iowa

If the recent trend holds, Mourning Dove in Iowa is projected to rise about 43% by 2029 — from 29 in 2024 to a central estimate of 41 (95% range 29–53). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±28.8%, with 80% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

+43%Change by 2029TrendPercent 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 →
41Projected 2029 indexProjected indexThe central forecast of the abundance index if the recent trend continues. A projection of the current trajectory, not a prediction.Full methodology →
29–5395% 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 →
±28.8%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, Mourning Dove in Iowa is projected to rise about 43% by 2029 — from 29 in 2024 to a central estimate of 41 (95% range 29–53). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±28.8%, with 80% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.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 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 →
2025402852
2026402853
2027402853
2028412853
2029412953

Mourning Dove Survey Routes in Iowa

Routes recording Mourning Dove in Iowa.
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 →
College Spgs13820041967
Mt Hamill7420241967
College Spgs 27420232005
Wales5920181967
Bedford5620181968
Panther5220241967
Rock Valley4720241968
Scranton4620241967
Red Rock4520241968
Zearing4519951967
Neola4220161968
Mccallsburg3820241996
Williamsburg3220231967
Hudson3120221967
Cedar Valley3019971967
West Liberty2920241968
Washta2920141967
Kanawha2720241967
Davis Corner2520241968
Titonka2420241968
Exline2320241974
Alice2319991967
Sioux City2320241968
Festina2320241968
Tipton2320241993

Mourning Dove 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.