Species · Montana · BBS 2025 Release · 1966–2024
Red Crossbill Population Trend in Montana
Red Crossbill in Montana has surged: up 207% on the route-weighted index since 1971.
+207%Since 1971
58Routes In State
54Years
Notable Red Crossbill Trends in Montana
long arc increasecomputed index
Red Crossbill has surged in Montana: up 207% on the route-weighted index since 1971.
Red Crossbill Population Forecast in Montana
If the recent trend holds, Red Crossbill in Montana is projected to rise about 131% by 2029 — from 1.1 in 2024 to a central estimate of 2.5 (95% range 0.00–5.2). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±62.5%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.
+131%Change by 2029
2.5Projected 2029 index
0.00–5.295% range
±62.5%Backtest error
| Year | Projected index | 95% low | 95% high |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2.4 | 0.00 | 5.1 |
| 2026 | 2.5 | 0.00 | 5.1 |
| 2027 | 2.5 | 0.00 | 5.1 |
| 2028 | 2.5 | 0.00 | 5.2 |
| 2029 | 2.5 | 0.00 | 5.2 |
Red Crossbill Survey Routes in Montana
| Pryor Mtn. | 33 | 2024 | 1995 |
| St Mary | 25 | 1997 | 1997 |
| Two Dot | 25 | 2001 | 1985 |
| Chestnut | 22 | 2017 | 1971 |
| Skalkho-Rye | 21 | 2022 | 1999 |
| Maynard Coulee | 16 | 2024 | 2017 |
| Brandenberg | 15 | 2019 | 1970 |
| Pagil Gulch | 15 | 2023 | 2015 |
| St Regis | 14 | 2022 | 1979 |
| Ninemile | 14 | 2024 | 1993 |
| Cramer Creek | 13 | 2019 | 1997 |
| Greenough | 12 | 2004 | 1996 |
| Clinton | 11 | 2022 | 1981 |
| Painted Rock | 10 | 2022 | 1993 |
| Swan Lake | 9 | 2023 | 2017 |
| Chuffey Spring | 9 | 2021 | 2021 |
| Victor | 8 | 2023 | 1994 |
| Heart Butte | 8 | 2017 | 2017 |
| Roundup | 8 | 2024 | 2021 |
| Fish Creek | 7 | 2023 | 1995 |
| Sula | 6 | 2023 | 1978 |
| Fort Logan | 6 | 2024 | 2022 |
| Inside Road | 5 | 2023 | 1991 |
| Elevation Mt | 4 | 2024 | 1997 |
| Brusett | 4 | 2022 | 1982 |
Red Crossbill Population Trend in Other States
Source: USGS North American Breeding Bird Survey, retrieved 2026-05-22.