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Species · California · BBS 2025 Release · 1966–2024

Ring-necked Pheasant Population Trend in California

All statesGrassland birds

Ring-necked Pheasant in California has collapsed: down 91% on the route-weighted index since 1970.

-91%Since 1970TrendPercent change in the route-weighted abundance index between a smoothed baseline window and the most recent one. It tracks direction, not absolute population.Full methodology →
95Routes In StateSurvey routesHow many standard-protocol BBS routes contributed counts. More routes means a steadier, better-sampled index; very thin coverage is suppressed.Full methodology →
56YearsYears surveyedNumber of years with at least one standard-protocol run in this geography. A longer record makes the trend more reliable.Full methodology →

Notable Ring-necked Pheasant Trends in CaliforniaNotable signalsLong-arc shifts the engine flags automatically — sustained declines or increases large enough to stand out from year-to-year noise.Full methodology →

long arc declinecomputed indexTrend sourceWhether the figure is our own computed route-weighted index or an official USGS modeled estimate. The current build labels every trend as computed.Full methodology →

Ring-necked Pheasant has collapsed in California: down 91% on the route-weighted index since 1970.

Ring-necked Pheasant Population Forecast in California

If the recent trend holds, Ring-necked Pheasant in California is projected to fall about 100% by 2029 — from 0.24 in 2024 to a central estimate of 0.00 (95% range 0.00–1.8). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±125.1%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

-100%Change by 2029TrendPercent change in the route-weighted abundance index between a smoothed baseline window and the most recent one. It tracks direction, not absolute population.Full methodology →
0.00Projected 2029 indexProjected indexThe central forecast of the abundance index if the recent trend continues. A projection of the current trajectory, not a prediction.Full methodology →
0.00–1.895% range95% rangeThe 95% uncertainty band around the projection at the forecast horizon. The true value should land inside it most of the time.Full methodology →
±125.1%Backtest errorBacktest errorTypical error when we hold out the most recent years, forecast them, and compare to what actually happened. Lower means a more trustworthy projection.Full methodology →
If the recent trend holds, Ring-necked Pheasant in California is projected to fall about 100% by 2029 — from 0.24 in 2024 to a central estimate of 0.00 (95% range 0.00–1.8). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±125.1%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.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 indexProjected indexThe central forecast of the abundance index if the recent trend continues. A projection of the current trajectory, not a prediction.Full methodology →95% low95% rangeThe 95% uncertainty band around the projection at the forecast horizon. The true value should land inside it most of the time.Full methodology →95% high95% rangeThe 95% uncertainty band around the projection at the forecast horizon. The true value should land inside it most of the time.Full methodology →
20250.170.001.9
20260.090.001.8
20270.010.001.8
20280.000.001.8
20290.000.001.8

Ring-necked Pheasant Survey Routes in California

Routes recording Ring-necked Pheasant in California.
Recent countThe raw number of individuals recorded on this route in its most recent survey year. A single-route tally, not a trend.Full methodology →
Dorris4220191972
Athlone2319891972
Atwater2220121971
Tranquillity1320041972
Auburn1219801969
Ora Loma920241972
Yreka920191973
Caruthers819871972
Niland820231985
Staten Is.820241994
Glenn620231971
Lake Success519961972
Orland520191972
Livermore519851973
Oilfields419811968
Cordova419811971
Honey Lake420241972
Bartlett Sps420061975
Collegeville320041968
Gravesboro319951968
Moreno319861969
Shafter319891971
Brawley320121976
Collegeville 2320092007
Hughson220111968

Ring-necked Pheasant Population Trend in Other States

alaskaarizonacoloradoconnecticutdelawareidahoillinoisindianaiowakansasmainemarylandmassachusettsmichiganminnesotamissourimontananebraskanevadanew-hampshirenew-jerseynew-mexiconew-yorknorth-dakotaohiooklahomaoregonpennsylvaniarhode-islandsouth-dakotatexasutahvermontvirginiawashingtonwest-virginiawisconsinwyoming

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