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Species · Montana · BBS 2025 Release · 1966–2024

Red-winged Blackbird Population Trend in Montana

All statesGeneralists

Red-winged Blackbird in Montana has risen sharply: up 67% on the route-weighted index since 1970.

+67%Since 1970
110Routes In State
56Years

Notable Red-winged Blackbird Trends in Montana

long arc increasecomputed index

Red-winged Blackbird has risen sharply in Montana: up 67% on the route-weighted index since 1970.

Red-winged Blackbird Population Forecast in Montana

If the recent trend holds, Red-winged Blackbird in Montana is projected to fall about 31% by 2029 — from 42 in 2024 to a central estimate of 29 (95% range 16–43). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±34.4%, with 40% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

-31%Change by 2029
29Projected 2029 index
16–4395% range
±34.4%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
2025291642
2026291642
2027291642
2028291643
2029291643

Red-winged Blackbird Survey Routes in Montana

Routes recording Red-winged Blackbird in Montana.
Westby29020242015
Harlem26120211968
Pablo Res.21920241995
Cleveland14920241979
Clyde Park14220242018
Winifred12420232023
Wolf Point11420242015
Winifred 210020242024
Dinosaurs H.M.9720242018
Brusett9220241982
Two Dot9120241976
Hehn Draw8920242016
Forsyth8820231980
Hay Lake8020221988
Glentana7520242015
Raynesford7520242016
Ester Lake7420242015
Wheat Basin7220242017
Willow Creek 27120241982
Lindsay7120242015
Malta7020241975
St Xavier6920111979
Circle6820231969
Chuffey Spring6820242016
Shawmut6520241979

Red-winged Blackbird Population Trend in Other States

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

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