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Species · Montana · BBS 2025 Release · 1966–2024

Mourning Dove Population Trend in Montana

All statesGeneralists

Mourning Dove in Montana has held roughly steady: down 9% on the route-weighted index since 1970.

-9%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 →
56YearsYears 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 2029 — from 23 in 2024 to a central estimate of 14 (95% range 4.4–23). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±43.5%, with 60% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

-40%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 →
14Projected 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 →
4.4–2395% 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 →
±43.5%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 2029 — from 23 in 2024 to a central estimate of 14 (95% range 4.4–23). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±43.5%, with 60% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.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 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 →
2025155.124
2026144.924
2027144.824
2028144.623
2029144.423

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 →
Circle12820231969
Custer 212320242024
Jordan11620241968
Westby10520242015
Lindsay10420242015
Oswego9120241978
Dinosaurs H.M.8920242018
Glasgow8420241968
Wolf Point8120242015
Brusett7820241982
Savage7420211968
Redstone6420241968
Forsyth6420231980
Miles City5920242015
Chinook5520242015
Lambert5120242021
Powderville4920241968
Locate4820241981
Albion4620241982
Wheat Basin4420242017
Laurel4320221968
Cabin Creek4320242018
Flatwillow 24020232010
Winnett3820232017
Hehn Draw3720242016

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 2026-05-22.