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Species · Washington · BBS 2026 Release · 1966–2025

Ring-necked Pheasant Population Trend in Washington

All statesGame birds

Ring-necked Pheasant in Washington has surged: up 105% on the route-weighted index since 1970.

+105%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 →
80Routes 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 WashingtonNotable 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 increasecomputed 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 surged in Washington: up 105% on the route-weighted index since 1970.

Ring-necked Pheasant Population Forecast in Washington

If the recent trend holds, Ring-necked Pheasant in Washington is projected to fall about 19% by 2030 — from 4.7 in 2025 to a central estimate of 3.8 (95% range 0.00–8.8). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±38.6%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

-19%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 →
3.8Projected 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 →
0.00–8.895% 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 →
±38.6%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 Washington is projected to fall about 19% by 2030 — from 4.7 in 2025 to a central estimate of 3.8 (95% range 0.00–8.8). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±38.6%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.19682030
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 →
20264.00.008.9
20273.90.008.9
20283.90.008.8
20293.90.008.8
20303.80.008.8

Ring-necked Pheasant Survey Routes in Washington

Routes recording Ring-necked Pheasant in Washington.
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 →
Malden5620251998
Ewan5120191983
Ewan 24720252023
Mesa4320081994
Keystone2720251994
Odessa2520251993
Wilbur2320251983
Reardan1920251968
Othello1919911981
Pomeroy1620241992
Harrington1420121972
Pomona1319991998
Walla Walla1219931993
Scootney Reservoir1220252009
Waitsburg1120041994
Harwood1019971993
Hatton1019941992
Asotin820251971
Prescott720221981
Hartline720241994
Tonasket620161982
Deer Park620121994
Nighthawk520251992
Hanford Site519961988
Mercer420221968

Ring-necked Pheasant Population Trend in Other States

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

Source: USGS North American Breeding Bird Survey, retrieved 2026-08-14.