BirdAnalyst
Species · Iowa · BBS 2026 Release · 1966–2025

Ring-necked Pheasant Population Trend in Iowa

All statesGame birds

Ring-necked Pheasant in Iowa has declined: down 32% on the route-weighted index since 1969.

-32%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 →
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 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 34% by 2030 — from 19 in 2025 to a central estimate of 13 (95% range 0.13–26). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±31.3%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

-34%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 →
13Projected 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 →
0.13–2695% 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 →
±31.3%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 34% by 2030 — from 19 in 2025 to a central estimate of 13 (95% range 0.13–26). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±31.3%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.19672030
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 →
2026141.727
2027141.327
2028140.9326
2029130.5326
2030130.1326

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 →
Pierson5020251968
College Spgs4520041967
College Spgs 24320252005
Wales3920251967
Panther3820251967
Bedford3720251968
Mccallsburg3420251996
Scranton3320251967
Clare3120191967
Hudson2820251967
Williamsburg2620231967
Gaza2520251969
Davis Corner2420251968
Zearing2219951967
Rock Valley2120251968
Burchinal2120251995
Cedar Valley1919971967
Red Rock1920251968
Kanawha1920251967
Titonka1920251968
Festina1820251968
Washta1620251967
Dinsdale1520251968
Garner1519931971
Washington1420251967

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 2026-08-14.