BirdAnalyst
Species · BBS 2026 Release · 1966–2025

Sandhill Crane Population Analysis

GruidaeWetland birdsAntigone canadensis

Sandhill Crane has surged: up 18× on the route-weighted index since 1968.

18×Since 1968TrendPercent 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 →
783RoutesSurvey routesHow many standard-protocol BBS routes contributed counts. More routes means a steadier, better-sampled index; very thin coverage is suppressed.Full methodology →
59Years SurveyedYears surveyedNumber of years with at least one standard-protocol run in this geography. A longer record makes the trend more reliable.Full methodology →

About the Sandhill Crane

The Sandhill Crane (Antigone canadensis) is a North American member of the Cranes (Gruidae). In this analysis it is grouped with the wetland birds.

Size
39.5–47 in long (100–120 cm) — a very large wading bird (typical for the family)
Habitat
Marshes, ponds, lakeshores and other freshwater wetlands.
Diet
Aquatic invertebrates, small fish, frogs and plant matter.
Range
Recorded on 783 Breeding Bird Survey routes across 27 states, most concentrated in the Northern Rockies.
Family
Gruidae · Wetland birds

Notable Sandhill Crane TrendsNotable 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 Sandhill Crane. See the full index history below.

Sandhill Crane Population Forecast

If the recent trend holds, Sandhill Crane is projected to rise about 23% by 2030 — from 0.82 in 2025 to a central estimate of 1.0 (95% range 0.86–1.2). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±13.1%, with 60% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

+23%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 →
1.0Projected 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 →
0.86–1.295% 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 →
±13.1%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, Sandhill Crane is projected to rise about 23% by 2030 — from 0.82 in 2025 to a central estimate of 1.0 (95% range 0.86–1.2). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±13.1%, with 60% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.19662030
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 →
20260.950.801.1
20270.970.821.1
20280.980.831.1
20291.000.851.1
20301.00.861.2

Where the Sandhill Crane Is Detected

BBS routes recording Sandhill Crane, sized by most recent count.

Sandhill Crane Population Trend by State

Sandhill Crane population trend by state.
TrendPercent 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 →Baseline yearThe first year of the smoothed window the trend is measured from. An earlier baseline means a longer record stands behind the number.Full methodology →Survey routesHow many standard-protocol BBS routes contributed counts. More routes means a steadier, better-sampled index; very thin coverage is suppressed.Full methodology →
Alaska+95%198472
California+167%197227
Colorado+138%199722
Florida+264%196872
Georgiainsufficient datan/a3
Idaho+348%197231
Illinois-17%201114
Indiana+527%200413
Iowa+135%20024
Massachusettsinsufficient datan/a2
Michigan41×196989
Minnesota+356%197857
Mississippi+2%19764
Missouriinsufficient datan/a1
Montana19×197072
Nebraskainsufficient datan/a5
Nevada+290%197223
New Yorkinsufficient datan/a2
North Dakotainsufficient datan/a6
Ohioinsufficient datan/a6
Oregon+8%197044
Pennsylvaniainsufficient datan/a4
South Dakotainsufficient datan/a1
Utah28×199043
Washingtoninsufficient datan/a3
Wisconsin33×196893
Wyoming+992%197770

Sandhill Crane Population Trend by Region

Bird Conservation Regions are the ecological unit for trends.

Sandhill Crane population trend by Bird Conservation Region.
TrendPercent 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 →Baseline yearThe first year of the smoothed window the trend is measured from. An earlier baseline means a longer record stands behind the number.Full methodology →Survey routesHow many standard-protocol BBS routes contributed counts. More routes means a steadier, better-sampled index; very thin coverage is suppressed.Full methodology →
BCR 2-7%198720
BCR 4+72%198441
Northern Pacific Rainforest+194%198313
Great Basin+136%197199
Northern Rockies+596%1970134
Prairie Potholes-46%197826
Boreal Hardwood Transition42×1969105
Sierra Nevada-12%197310
Southern Rockies / Colorado Plateau12×199242
Badlands and Prairies22×198735
Eastern Tallgrass Prairie14×200031
Prairie Hardwood Transition42×1968126
Southeastern Coastal Plain-57%196912
Peninsular Florida+237%196867

Sandhill Crane Conservation Status

Our route-weighted index shows it up about 1718% since 1968.

Source: USGS North American Breeding Bird Survey, retrieved 2026-08-14. Trend is a route-weighted relative-abundance index, not an absolute population.