BirdAnalyst
Species · Vermont · BBS 2025 Release · 1966–2024

Ring-necked Pheasant Population Trend in Vermont

All statesGrassland birds

Ring-necked Pheasant in Vermont has declined: down 47% on the route-weighted index since 1970.

-47%Since 1970TrendPercent 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 →
9Routes 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 →
18YearsYears 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 VermontNotable 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 Vermont. See the full index history below.

Ring-necked Pheasant Population Forecast in Vermont

If the recent trend holds, Ring-necked Pheasant in Vermont is projected to stay roughly flat through 2023, near 0.03 (95% range 0.00–0.11). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±45%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

n/aChange by 2023TrendPercent 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 →
0.03Projected 2023 indexProjected indexThe central forecast of the abundance index if the recent trend continues. A projection of the current trajectory, not a prediction.Full methodology →
0.00–0.1195% 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 →
±45%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 Vermont is projected to stay roughly flat through 2023, near 0.03 (95% range 0.00–0.11). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±45%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.19682023
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 →
20190.040.000.11
20200.040.000.11
20210.040.000.11
20220.030.000.11
20230.030.000.11

Ring-necked Pheasant Survey Routes in Vermont

Routes recording Ring-necked Pheasant in Vermont.
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 →
North Pownal219921968
S Wallingfrd119931985
W Rutland120181973
East Haven119991999
Middlesex119691969
Fletcher119741973
Newbury 2120112011
Hinesburg119811979
Grand Isle119951995

Ring-necked Pheasant Population Trend in Other States

alaskaarizonacaliforniacoloradoconnecticutdelawareidahoillinoisindianaiowakansasmainemarylandmassachusettsmichiganminnesotamissourimontananebraskanevadanew-hampshirenew-jerseynew-mexiconew-yorknorth-dakotaohiooklahomaoregonpennsylvaniarhode-islandsouth-dakotatexasutahvirginiawashingtonwest-virginiawisconsinwyoming

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