BirdAnalyst
Species · BCR 17 · BBS 2025 Release · 1966–2024

Sandhill Crane In Badlands and Prairies

All regionsBadlands and PrairiesWetland birds

Sandhill Crane in Badlands and Prairies has surged: up 24× on the route-weighted index since 1987.

24×Since 1987TrendPercent 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 →
33Routes 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 →
37YearsYears 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 Badlands and Prairies: up 24× on the route-weighted index since 1987.

Forecast

If the recent trend holds, Sandhill Crane in Badlands and Prairies is projected to stay roughly flat through 2029, near 0.96 (95% range 0.65–1.3). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±20.9%, with 80% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

+3%Change by 2029TrendPercent 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 →
0.96Projected 2029 indexProjected indexThe central forecast of the abundance index if the recent trend continues. A projection of the current trajectory, not a prediction.Full methodology →
0.65–1.395% 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 →
±20.9%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 Badlands and Prairies is projected to stay roughly flat through 2029, near 0.96 (95% range 0.65–1.3). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±20.9%, with 80% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.19772029
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 →
20250.860.551.2
20260.890.581.2
20270.910.601.2
20280.930.621.2
20290.960.651.3

Routes In Badlands and Prairies

Routes recording Sandhill Crane in Badlands and Prairies.
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 →
Two DotMONTANA252024
DaytonWYOMING112024
HighwoodMONTANA72024
WinnettMONTANA62022
DwyerWYOMING62017
St XavierMONTANA52010
SussexWYOMING52024
ShawmutMONTANA42024
WebsterMONTANA42023
BrandenbergMONTANA42014
AlbionMONTANA42022
Chuffey SpringMONTANA42022
PowdervilleMONTANA32023
RoundupMONTANA32024
BrusettMONTANA22022
FlatwillowMONTANA22008
ForsythMONTANA22018
Reed PointMONTANA22024
WinifredMONTANA22023
Maynard CouleeMONTANA22022
CusterMONTANA22022
Coleman CouleeMONTANA22017
Hehn DrawMONTANA22024
Winifred 2MONTANA22024
Soda WellWYOMING22017

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