BirdAnalyst
Species · BCR 10 · BBS 2026 Release · 1966–2025

Sandhill Crane In Northern Rockies

All regionsNorthern RockiesWetland birds

Sandhill Crane in Northern Rockies has surged: up 596% on the route-weighted index since 1970.

+596%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 →
134Routes In RegionSurvey 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 SignalsNotable 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 →

Sandhill Crane has surged in Northern Rockies: up 596% on the route-weighted index since 1970.

Sandhill Crane In Northern Rockies Population Forecast

If the recent trend holds, Sandhill Crane in Northern Rockies is projected to fall about 20% by 2030 — from 3.2 in 2025 to a central estimate of 2.6 (95% range 0.85–4.3). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±15.9%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

-20%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 →
2.6Projected 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 →
0.85–4.395% 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 →
±15.9%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 in Northern Rockies is projected to fall about 20% by 2030 — from 3.2 in 2025 to a central estimate of 2.6 (95% range 0.85–4.3). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±15.9%, 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 →
20262.50.774.2
20272.50.794.2
20282.50.814.2
20292.50.834.2
20302.60.854.3

Routes In Northern Rockies

Routes recording Sandhill Crane in Northern Rockies.
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 →
Willow Creek 2MONTANA722025
Red RockMONTANA492025
Cape HornIDAHO422025
Sawtooth City 2IDAHO282025
Pablo Res.MONTANA282025
Church HillMONTANA282025
YellowstoneWYOMING252025
RandolphUTAH222025
BoulderWYOMING222025
BeaverheadMONTANA152025
CabartonIDAHO112024
CodyWYOMING112025
Fort LoganMONTANA102025
GlenMONTANA92025
FontenelleWYOMING72025
EtheteWYOMING72025
Crane CreekIDAHO62008
Twin BridgesMONTANA61976
LogdellOREGON62000
Summit PrOREGON62025
Hunter PeakWYOMING62017
DanielWYOMING61988
Hayden ValWYOMING61985
CascadeIDAHO51983
Sawtooth CtyIDAHO52014

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