Species · Maryland · BBS 2025 Release · 1966–2024

Northern Bobwhite Population Trend in Maryland

All states Grassland birds

Northern Bobwhite in Maryland has collapsed: down 99% on the route-weighted index since 1968.

-99%Since 1968

67Routes In State

58Years

Notable Northern Bobwhite Trends in Maryland

long arc declinecomputed index

Northern Bobwhite has collapsed in Maryland: down 99% on the route-weighted index since 1968.

Northern Bobwhite Population Forecast in Maryland

If the recent trend holds, Northern Bobwhite in Maryland is projected to fall about 100% by 2029 — from 0.36 in 2024 to a central estimate of 0.00 (95% range 0.00–9.9). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±3241.6%, with 0% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

-100%Change by 2029

0.00Projected 2029 index

0.00–9.995% range

±3241.6%Backtest error

Projection of the recent trend (dashed) with 80/95% bands — a projection, not a prediction. Habitat, climate, and land use are not modeled.

Year	Projected index	95% low	95% high
2025	0.00	0.00	9.9
2026	0.00	0.00	9.9
2027	0.00	0.00	9.9
2028	0.00	0.00	9.9
2029	0.00	0.00	9.9

Northern Bobwhite Survey Routes in Maryland

Routes recording Northern Bobwhite in Maryland.

Sinepuxent	68	1978	1966
Snow Hill	66	1976	1966
Fruitland	29	1998	1966
Pt Republic	11	1989	1966
Madison	11	2024	1966
Grove Neck	9	1996	1992
Millington	7	2023	1966
La Plata	5	2009	1966
Beltsville	4	1992	1966
Largo	4	1981	1966
Fair Hill	4	1995	1992
Floyd	3	1974	1967
Wheaton	3	1992	1991
Potomac Park	2	1998	1970
Smithsburg	2	1997	1966
Emmitsburg	2	1993	1966
Silver Spg	2	1987	1966
Norwood	2	1993	1966
Bachman Mill	2	1994	1966
Fowblesburg	2	2000	1966
Van Bibber	2	2000	1966
Northeast	2	1996	1966
Piney Neck	2	2017	1966
Honga	2	2023	1966
Cokesbury	2	2022	1966

Northern Bobwhite Population Trend in Other States

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