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

Northern Cardinal Population Trend in Michigan

All statesGeneralists

Northern Cardinal in Michigan has surged: up 147% on the route-weighted index since 1968.

+147%Since 1968
89Routes In State
58Years

Notable Northern Cardinal Trends in Michigan

long arc increasecomputed index

Northern Cardinal has surged in Michigan: up 147% on the route-weighted index since 1968.

Northern Cardinal Population Forecast in Michigan

If the recent trend holds, Northern Cardinal in Michigan is projected to rise about 18% by 2029 — from 13 in 2024 to a central estimate of 15 (95% range 11–20). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±6.9%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

+18%Change by 2029
15Projected 2029 index
11–2095% range
±6.9%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
2025151119
2026151119
2027151119
2028151119
2029151120

Northern Cardinal Survey Routes in Michigan

Routes recording Northern Cardinal in Michigan.
Galesburg4220241966
Lapeer4220242000
Howardsville4020241969
Hamburg 23920242004
St Charles3720191967
Mayfield3720222000
Fowlerville3620191974
Holt3320241969
Drayton Plns3319871973
Belding 23320242004
New Buffalo3320141992
Lawrence3220241969
Belding3220031983
Homer3220241975
Almena3120151993
Hartland2920111992
Cohoctah2820242021
Barry S.G.A. 22820192013
Hamburg2720011981
Nashville2620241968
Barry S.G.A.2620121995
Mottville2520241967
Pettysville2519791969
Bell Oak 22220232016
Rochester2120241993

Northern Cardinal Population Trend in Other States

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

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