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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 1968
85Routes In State
58Years

Notable Ring-necked Pheasant Trends in Illinois

long arc declinecomputed index

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 2029
0.41Projected 2029 index
0.00–6.895% range
±35.8%Backtest error
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 index95% low95% high
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.
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.