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

Northern Cardinal Population Trend in Kentucky

All statesGeneralists

Northern Cardinal in Kentucky has edged down: down 14% on the route-weighted index since 1968.

-14%Since 1968
64Routes In State
58Years

Notable Northern Cardinal Trends in Kentucky

No notable trend signals for Northern Cardinal in Kentucky. See the full index history below.

Northern Cardinal Population Forecast in Kentucky

If the recent trend holds, Northern Cardinal in Kentucky is projected to stay roughly flat through 2029, near 32 (95% range 25–39). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±7%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

+6%Change by 2029
32Projected 2029 index
25–3995% range
±7%Backtest error
19662029
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
2025332540
2026332540
2027322540
2028322540
2029322539

Northern Cardinal Survey Routes in Kentucky

Routes recording Northern Cardinal in Kentucky.
Staffordsvil15819971996
Paintsville12819951979
Sewell Shop9520231966
Boxville7219831966
Joy7220231966
Cumberlnd Gp5820181966
Goshen5219991966
Johnsonville4920211966
Cedar Grove4720241966
Million 24620242006
Gatewood4520191966
Kehoe 24420242005
Hodgenville 24420232008
Mckee4320241967
Kehoe4119921966
Keysburg4020241968
Levee 24020192007
Bardwell3920031967
Gesling3819731967
Beattyville3620011966
Hustonville3620241966
Bays Fork3620191999
Sulphur Lick3520241966
Buena Vista3420171966
Morganfield3420242022

Northern Cardinal Population Trend in Other States

alabamaarizonaarkansascaliforniacoloradoconnecticutdelawarefloridageorgiaillinoisindianaiowakansaslouisianamainemarylandmassachusettsmichiganminnesotamississippimissourinebraskanew-hampshirenew-jerseynew-mexiconew-yorknorth-carolinanorth-dakotaohiooklahomapennsylvaniarhode-islandsouth-carolinasouth-dakotatennesseetexasvermontvirginiawest-virginiawisconsinwyoming

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