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

Rock Pigeon Population Trend in Illinois

All statesGeneralists

Rock Pigeon in Illinois has fallen sharply: down 71% on the route-weighted index since 1968.

-71%Since 1968
105Routes In State
58Years

Notable Rock Pigeon Trends in Illinois

long arc declinecomputed index

Rock Pigeon has fallen sharply in Illinois: down 71% on the route-weighted index since 1968.

Rock Pigeon Population Forecast in Illinois

If the recent trend holds, Rock Pigeon in Illinois is projected to fall about 88% by 2029 — from 6.1 in 2024 to a central estimate of 0.76 (95% range 0.00–6.4). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±51.9%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

-88%Change by 2029
0.76Projected 2029 index
0.00–6.495% range
±51.9%Backtest error
19662029
Projection of the recent trend (dashed) with 80/95% bands — a projection, not a prediction. Habitat, climate, and land use are not modeled.
YearProjected index95% low95% high
20252.00.007.6
20261.70.007.3
20271.40.007.0
20281.10.006.7
20290.760.006.4

Rock Pigeon Survey Routes in Illinois

Routes recording Rock Pigeon in Illinois.
Itasca11620241966
Humboldt7420241970
Cherry Val6220031972
Camp Point6020171994
Alden5420232019
Clarksdale3720221968
Streator3220241973
Mt Vernon2820221972
Caledonia2620241993
Union1920132001
Concord West1920162003
Fairbury1620241976
Jamestown1620241966
Olney1620241969
Terre Haute1520241966
Humphrey1520241972
Harristown1520232001
Holcomb1320241971
Sterling1320232001
Mascoutah Lk1220241968
Marshall1220232003
Dailey920221968
Janesville920231972
Melrose819991973
Birds820221977

Rock Pigeon Population Trend in Other States

alabamaalaskaarizonaarkansascaliforniacoloradoconnecticutdelawarefloridageorgiaidahoindianaiowakansaskentuckylouisianamainemarylandmassachusettsmichiganminnesotamississippimissourimontananebraskanevadanew-hampshirenew-jerseynew-mexiconew-yorknorth-carolinanorth-dakotaohiooklahomaoregonpennsylvaniarhode-islandsouth-carolinasouth-dakotatennesseetexasutahvermontvirginiawashingtonwest-virginiawisconsinwyoming

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