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Species · Illinois · BBS 2025 Release · 1966–2024

Ring-necked Pheasant Population Trend in Illinois

All statesGrassland birds

Ring-necked Pheasant in Illinois has collapsed: down 80% on the route-weighted index since 1968.

-80%Since 1968TrendPercent 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 →
85Routes 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 →
58YearsYears 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 IllinoisNotable 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 Illinois: down 80% on the route-weighted index since 1968.

Ring-necked Pheasant Population Forecast in Illinois

If the recent trend holds, Ring-necked Pheasant in Illinois is projected to fall about 78% by 2029 — from 1.9 in 2024 to a central estimate of 0.41 (95% range 0.00–6.8). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±35.8%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

-78%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 →
0.41Projected 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 →
0.00–6.895% 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 →
±35.8%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 Illinois is projected to fall about 78% by 2029 — from 1.9 in 2024 to a central estimate of 0.41 (95% range 0.00–6.8). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±35.8%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.19662029
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 →
20251.30.007.7
20261.10.007.5
20270.870.007.2
20280.640.007.0
20290.410.006.8

Ring-necked Pheasant Survey Routes in Illinois

Routes recording Ring-necked Pheasant in Illinois.
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 →
Greenview2120241993
Rosamond1520241972
Buda1420231977
Sherburnvill1420231967
Keithsburg1320222001
Streator1120241972
Dailey1120221967
Harristown1120242001
Bradbury1020241971
Milford920231966
Mill Creek720241966
Chandlervill720241971
Monticello720241976
Fairland720241967
Alden720192019
Sterling720232001
Pontiac620241978
Clarksdale620231968
Humphrey620221972
Martinsville620091983
Minonk520241971
Caledonia520231993
Newark420221969
Mackinaw420231966
Shannon420241993

Ring-necked Pheasant Population Trend in Other States

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

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