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

Ring-necked Pheasant Population Trend in Colorado

All statesGrassland birds

Ring-necked Pheasant in Colorado has collapsed: down 95% on the route-weighted index since 1970.

-95%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 →
72Routes 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 ColoradoNotable 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 Colorado: down 95% on the route-weighted index since 1970.

Ring-necked Pheasant Population Forecast in Colorado

If the recent trend holds, Ring-necked Pheasant in Colorado is projected to fall about 100% by 2029 — from 0.89 in 2024 to a central estimate of 0.00 (95% range 0.00–8.4). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±242.9%, 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 →
0.00–8.495% 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 →
±242.9%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 Colorado is projected to fall about 100% by 2029 — from 0.89 in 2024 to a central estimate of 0.00 (95% range 0.00–8.4). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±242.9%, 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 →
20250.000.008.4
20260.000.008.4
20270.000.008.4
20280.000.008.4
20290.000.008.4

Ring-necked Pheasant Survey Routes in Colorado

Routes recording Ring-necked Pheasant in Colorado.
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 →
Julesburg3720211998
Amherst3020241992
Waverly2420191988
Cheyenne1520241990
Fruita1320071988
Bethune1020191989
Pinneo720191973
Abarr720241968
Lamar620241973
Burlington620242003
Dolores519851968
Blanca519861985
Wildhorse L520241988
Stoneham520191992
Doyle Bridge519971992
Two Buttes420151973
Campo420181988
Flagler420241997
Briggsdale320021968
Kiowa319711971
Fort Morgan320241996
Ellicott319971994
Karval320161996
Edler320241992
Fleming220241968

Ring-necked Pheasant Population Trend in Other States

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

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