BirdAnalyst
Species · BCR 17 · BBS 2026 Release · 1966–2025

Sandhill Crane In Badlands and Prairies

All regionsBadlands and PrairiesWetland birds

Sandhill Crane in Badlands and Prairies has surged: up 22× on the route-weighted index since 1987.

22×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 →
35Routes 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 →
38YearsYears 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 Badlands and Prairies. See the full index history below.

Sandhill Crane In Badlands and Prairies Population Forecast

If the recent trend holds, Sandhill Crane in Badlands and Prairies is projected to rise about 10% by 2030 — from 0.89 in 2025 to a central estimate of 0.98 (95% range 0.68–1.3). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±20.6%, with 80% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

+10%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 →
0.98Projected 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 →
0.68–1.395% 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 →
±20.6%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 rise about 10% by 2030 — from 0.89 in 2025 to a central estimate of 0.98 (95% range 0.68–1.3). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±20.6%, with 80% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.19772030
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 →
20260.890.581.2
20270.910.611.2
20280.930.631.2
20290.960.651.3
20300.980.681.3

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 DotMONTANA112025
HighwoodMONTANA102025
DaytonWYOMING102025
SussexWYOMING92025
WinnettMONTANA72025
Winifred 2MONTANA72025
DwyerWYOMING62017
St XavierMONTANA52010
BrandenbergMONTANA42014
AlbionMONTANA42022
Chuffey SpringMONTANA42022
WebsterMONTANA32025
RoundupMONTANA32024
WyarnoWYOMING32025
BrusettMONTANA22022
ShawmutMONTANA22025
FlatwillowMONTANA22008
ForsythMONTANA22018
Reed PointMONTANA22025
WinifredMONTANA22023
Maynard CouleeMONTANA22022
CusterMONTANA22022
Coleman CouleeMONTANA22017
Wheat BasinMONTANA22025
Hehn DrawMONTANA22024

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