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

Northern Rough-winged Swallow Population Trend in Colorado

All statesAerial insectivores

Northern Rough-winged Swallow in Colorado has declined: down 43% on the route-weighted index since 1970.

-43%Since 1970
117Routes In State
56Years

Notable Northern Rough-winged Swallow Trends in Colorado

No notable trend signals for Northern Rough-winged Swallow in Colorado. See the full index history below.

Northern Rough-winged Swallow Population Forecast in Colorado

If the recent trend holds, Northern Rough-winged Swallow in Colorado is projected to stay roughly flat through 2029, near 0.78 (95% range 0.00–2.8). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±64.2%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

+8%Change by 2029
0.78Projected 2029 index
0.00–2.895% range
±64.2%Backtest error
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 index95% low95% high
20250.850.002.9
20260.830.002.9
20270.810.002.9
20280.790.002.9
20290.780.002.8

Northern Rough-winged Swallow Survey Routes in Colorado

Routes recording Northern Rough-winged Swallow in Colorado.
Walden2320181990
Bethune2020172013
Fort Morgan1820241996
Browns Park1520241992
Cortez1120081988
Rifle Falls1020211998
Rosevale920232009
Doyle Bridge919951993
Pritchett820172008
Buford720241972
Dolores719871968
Animas620001996
Douglas Pass520241987
Moffat520031974
Pagosa Spgs519821970
Haycamp Mesa519981998
Maybell420241972
Yellowjacket Pass420231998
Ludlow420161998
Yampa320221969
Falfa320241971
Wray Gulch320231988
Wilson Creek320241990
Lost Lake320221990
Wildhorse L320142014

Northern Rough-winged Swallow Population Trend in Other States

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

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