BirdAnalyst
Species · BCR 11 · BBS 2026 Release · 1966–2025

Sandhill Crane In Prairie Potholes

All regionsPrairie PotholesWetland birds

Sandhill Crane in Prairie Potholes has declined: down 46% on the route-weighted index since 1978.

-46%Since 1978TrendPercent 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 →
26Routes 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 →
49YearsYears 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 →

No notable trend signals for Sandhill Crane in Prairie Potholes. See the full index history below.

Sandhill Crane In Prairie Potholes Population Forecast

If the recent trend holds, Sandhill Crane in Prairie Potholes is projected to rise about 57% by 2030 — from 0.22 in 2025 to a central estimate of 0.34 (95% range 0.00–1.3). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±240.5%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

+57%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 →
0.34Projected 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 →
0.00–1.395% 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 →
±240.5%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 Prairie Potholes is projected to rise about 57% by 2030 — from 0.22 in 2025 to a central estimate of 0.34 (95% range 0.00–1.3). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±240.5%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.19762030
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 →
20260.390.001.3
20270.380.001.3
20280.360.001.3
20290.350.001.3
20300.340.001.3

Routes In Prairie Potholes

Routes recording Sandhill Crane in Prairie Potholes.
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 →
Lake BronsonMINNESOTA162011
GryglaMINNESOTA112017
RollaNORTH-DAKOTA112003
OkleeMINNESOTA82021
ErieMINNESOTA72017
BadgerMINNESOTA72018
HartlandMINNESOTA42011
GlyndonMINNESOTA42025
BeltramiMINNESOTA42025
WylieMINNESOTA32024
GluekMINNESOTA22015
VirgelleMONTANA22025
ClevelandMONTANA22025
Great FallsMONTANA22013
Ester LakeMONTANA22022
GlentanaMONTANA22025
KemptonNORTH-DAKOTA22015
TitonkaIOWA12021
CourtlandMINNESOTA12025
ChinookMONTANA12019
SacoMONTANA12018
EmeradoNORTH-DAKOTA12016
Horsehead LkNORTH-DAKOTA11990
NilesNORTH-DAKOTA11995
DenbighNORTH-DAKOTA12022

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