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Species · Maryland · BBS 2025 Release · 1966–2024

Ring-necked Pheasant Population Trend in Maryland

All statesGrassland birds

Ring-necked Pheasant in Maryland has collapsed: down 100% on the route-weighted index since 1968.

-100%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 →
49Routes 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 →
49YearsYears 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 MarylandNotable 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 Maryland: down 100% on the route-weighted index since 1968.

Ring-necked Pheasant Population Forecast in Maryland

If the recent trend holds, Ring-necked Pheasant in Maryland is projected to stay roughly flat through 2027, near 0.00 (95% range 0.00–4.2). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±10463.5%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

n/aChange by 2027TrendPercent 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 →
0.00Projected 2027 indexProjected indexThe central forecast of the abundance index if the recent trend continues. A projection of the current trajectory, not a prediction.Full methodology →
0.00–4.295% 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 →
±10463.5%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 Maryland is projected to stay roughly flat through 2027, near 0.00 (95% range 0.00–4.2). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±10463.5%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.19662027
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 →
20230.000.004.2
20240.000.004.2
20250.000.004.2
20260.000.004.2
20270.000.004.2

Ring-necked Pheasant Survey Routes in Maryland

Routes recording Ring-necked Pheasant in Maryland.
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 →
Harmony719771977
Jones319941990
Elkton319921966
Davidsnville319851985
Bald Friar219951994
Van Bibber219831966
Beltsville219871967
Fair Hill219921992
Ijamsville220071986
Island Creek219991999
Potomac Park119831983
Williamsport120061966
Smithsburg119941967
Wolfsville120131966
Emmitsburg120191966
Olney120061967
Norwood119851971
Warfieldsbrg120101966
Pleasant Val120001966
Bachman Mill120031966
Fowblesburg120101966
Eklo120111966
Randallstown120071966
Upper Xrds120071966
Madonna120222013

Ring-necked Pheasant Population Trend in Other States

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

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