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Species · Illinois · BBS 2026 Release · 1966–2025

Ring-necked Pheasant Population Trend in Illinois

All statesGame birds

Ring-necked Pheasant in Illinois has collapsed: down 81% on the route-weighted index since 1968.

-81%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 →
59YearsYears 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 81% 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 90% by 2030 — from 3.0 in 2025 to a central estimate of 0.31 (95% range 0.00–6.6). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±42.1%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

-90%Change by 2030TrendPercent 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 →
0.31Projected 2030 indexProjected indexThe central forecast of the abundance index if the recent trend continues. A projection of the current trajectory, not a prediction.Full methodology →
0.00–6.695% 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 →
±42.1%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 Illinois is projected to fall about 90% by 2030 — from 3.0 in 2025 to a central estimate of 0.31 (95% range 0.00–6.6). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±42.1%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.19662030
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 →
20261.20.007.6
20270.990.007.3
20280.760.007.1
20290.540.006.9
20300.310.006.6

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 →
Greenview3720251993
Fairbury2720251976
Monticello1620251976
Buda1420231977
Sherburnvill1420231967
Humboldt1320251970
Streator1220251972
Chandlervill1220251971
Pontiac1120251978
Sherrard1020251993
Harristown920252001
Rosamond720251972
Sterling720232001
Essex620251969
Dailey620251967
Clarksdale620231968
Fairland620251967
Martinsville620091983
Marshall620252006
Minonk520241971
Bradbury520251971
Keithsburg520252001
Newark420221969
Milford420251966
Pawnee420251967

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 2026-08-14.