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

Ring-necked Pheasant Population Trend in Washington

All statesGrassland birds

Ring-necked Pheasant in Washington has risen sharply: up 59% on the route-weighted index since 1970.

+59%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 →
79Routes 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 →
56YearsYears 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 risen sharply in Washington: up 59% 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 stay roughly flat through 2029, near 3.8 (95% range 0.00–8.8). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±41.7%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

+4%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 →
3.8Projected 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 →
0.00–8.895% 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 →
±41.7%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 stay roughly flat through 2029, near 3.8 (95% range 0.00–8.8). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±41.7%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.19682029
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 →
20254.00.008.9
20263.90.008.9
20273.90.008.9
20283.80.008.8
20293.80.008.8

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 →
Ewan5120191983
Ewan 24420242023
Mesa4320081994
Malden3220241998
Wilbur2820241983
Othello1919911981
Reardan1820241968
Pomeroy1620241992
Scootney Reservoir1620242009
Harrington1420121972
Asotin1320241971
Pomona1319991998
Walla Walla1219931993
Keystone1120241994
Waitsburg1120041994
Harwood1019971993
Hatton1019941992
Odessa920241993
Prescott720221981
Hartline720241994
Tonasket620161982
Deer Park620121994
Nighthawk520241992
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 2026-05-22.