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Species · Iowa · BBS 2025 Release · 1966–2024

Ring-necked Pheasant Population Trend in Iowa

All statesGrassland birds

Ring-necked Pheasant in Iowa has declined: down 29% on the route-weighted index since 1969.

-29%Since 1969TrendPercent 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 →
39Routes 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 →
57YearsYears 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 IowaNotable signalsLong-arc shifts the engine flags automatically — sustained declines or increases large enough to stand out from year-to-year noise.Full methodology →

No notable trend signals for Ring-necked Pheasant in Iowa. See the full index history below.

Ring-necked Pheasant Population Forecast in Iowa

If the recent trend holds, Ring-necked Pheasant in Iowa is projected to fall about 24% by 2029 — from 17 in 2024 to a central estimate of 13 (95% range 0.10–26). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±33.8%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

-24%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 →
13Projected 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 →
0.10–2695% 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 →
±33.8%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 Iowa is projected to fall about 24% by 2029 — from 17 in 2024 to a central estimate of 13 (95% range 0.10–26). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±33.8%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.19672029
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 →
2025151.727
2026141.327
2027140.9126
2028130.5026
2029130.1026

Ring-necked Pheasant Survey Routes in Iowa

Routes recording Ring-necked Pheasant in Iowa.
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 →
Brooklyn6020221967
Wales5020181967
College Spgs4520041967
Scranton4320241967
Panther3820241967
Davis Corner3720241968
Titonka3520241968
Bedford3220181968
Washta3220141967
Clare3120191967
Rock Valley3020241968
Mccallsburg3020241996
Sioux City2820241968
Williamsburg2620231967
College Spgs 22620232005
Zearing2219951967
Gaza2220231969
Cedar Valley1919971967
Burchinal1920241995
Pierson1620191968
Garner1519931971
Bryant1320241967
Washington1320241967
Kanawha1320241967
Festina1220241968

Ring-necked Pheasant Population Trend in Other States

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

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