Species · Montana · BBS 2025 Release · 1966–2024
Ruddy Duck Population Trend in Montana
Ruddy Duck in Montana has surged: up 192% on the route-weighted index since 1974.
+192%Since 1974
35Routes In State
46Years
Notable Ruddy Duck Trends in Montana
long arc increasecomputed index
Ruddy Duck has surged in Montana: up 192% on the route-weighted index since 1974.
Ruddy Duck Population Forecast in Montana
If the recent trend holds, Ruddy Duck in Montana is projected to fall about 41% by 2029 — from 0.18 in 2024 to a central estimate of 0.10 (95% range 0.00–0.30). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±52.1%, with 80% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.
-41%Change by 2029
0.10Projected 2029 index
0.00–0.3095% range
±52.1%Backtest error
| Year | Projected index | 95% low | 95% high |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 0.11 | 0.00 | 0.30 |
| 2026 | 0.10 | 0.00 | 0.30 |
| 2027 | 0.10 | 0.00 | 0.30 |
| 2028 | 0.10 | 0.00 | 0.30 |
| 2029 | 0.10 | 0.00 | 0.30 |
Ruddy Duck Survey Routes in Montana
| Westby | 25 | 2023 | 2015 |
| Brusett | 7 | 2024 | 1989 |
| Roy | 4 | 2019 | 2007 |
| Shelby | 4 | 2018 | 2018 |
| Sunburst | 3 | 2002 | 1978 |
| Virgelle | 3 | 2018 | 2018 |
| Highwood | 3 | 2012 | 1970 |
| Beaverhead | 3 | 1996 | 1996 |
| Red Rock | 3 | 2019 | 2017 |
| Coleman Coulee | 3 | 2023 | 2019 |
| Glasgow | 2 | 1997 | 1997 |
| Polson | 2 | 1996 | 1996 |
| Savage | 2 | 1980 | 1980 |
| Ingomar | 2 | 2016 | 1980 |
| Winifred 2 | 2 | 2024 | 2024 |
| Powderville | 2 | 1974 | 1974 |
| Wise River | 2 | 2006 | 2006 |
| Whitlash | 2 | 2024 | 2011 |
| Kalispell | 1 | 2002 | 1973 |
| Hay Lake | 1 | 2015 | 1994 |
| Malta | 1 | 2024 | 1979 |
| Oswego | 1 | 1978 | 1978 |
| Willow Creek 2 | 1 | 2024 | 2003 |
| Augusta | 1 | 2018 | 1977 |
| Great Falls | 1 | 2019 | 1989 |
Ruddy Duck Population Trend in Other States
Source: USGS North American Breeding Bird Survey, retrieved 2026-05-22.