BirdAnalyst
Species · Montana · BBS 2026 Release · 1966–2025

Mourning Dove Population Trend in Montana

All statesGeneralists

Mourning Dove in Montana has held roughly steady: down 3% on the route-weighted index since 1970.

-3%Since 1970TrendPercent 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 →
110Routes 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 MontanaNotable 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 Montana. See the full index history below.

Mourning Dove Population Forecast in Montana

If the recent trend holds, Mourning Dove in Montana is projected to fall about 40% by 2030 — from 24 in 2025 to a central estimate of 14 (95% range 4.8–24). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±46.3%, with 40% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

-40%Change by 2030TrendPercent 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 →
14Projected 2030 indexProjected indexThe central forecast of the abundance index if the recent trend continues. A projection of the current trajectory, not a prediction.Full methodology →
4.8–2495% 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 →
±46.3%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 Montana is projected to fall about 40% by 2030 — from 24 in 2025 to a central estimate of 14 (95% range 4.8–24). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±46.3%, with 40% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.19682030
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 →
2026155.425
2027155.224
2028155.124
2029154.924
2030144.824

Mourning Dove Survey Routes in Montana

Routes recording Mourning Dove in Montana.
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 →
Locate16620251981
Circle12820231969
Oswego12020251978
Westby11720252015
Jordan11620241968
Redstone11320251968
Glasgow10520251968
Lindsay10420242015
Webster9320251978
Cabin Creek8720252018
Wolf Point8120242015
Brusett7820241982
Lambert7420252021
Forsyth6420231980
Miles City6020252015
Albion5920251982
Custer 25520252024
Brandenberg5320251968
Hehn Draw5320252016
Winnett4620252017
Church Hill4320252017
Powderville4220251968
Savage4020251968
Flatwillow 24020232010
Dinosaurs H.M.4020252018

Mourning Dove Population Trend in Other States

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

Source: USGS North American Breeding Bird Survey, retrieved 2026-08-14.