BirdAnalyst
Species · BCR 22 · BBS 2026 Release · 1966–2025

Sandhill Crane In Eastern Tallgrass Prairie

All regionsEastern Tallgrass PrairieWetland birds

Sandhill Crane in Eastern Tallgrass Prairie has surged: up 14× on the route-weighted index since 2000.

14×Since 2000TrendPercent 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 →
31Routes 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 →
23YearsYears 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 Eastern Tallgrass Prairie. See the full index history below.

Sandhill Crane In Eastern Tallgrass Prairie Population Forecast

If the recent trend holds, Sandhill Crane in Eastern Tallgrass Prairie is projected to rise about 12% by 2030 — from 0.13 in 2025 to a central estimate of 0.14 (95% range 0.08–0.21). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±20.4%, with 80% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

+12%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 →
0.14Projected 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 →
0.08–0.2195% 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 →
±20.4%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 Eastern Tallgrass Prairie is projected to rise about 12% by 2030 — from 0.13 in 2025 to a central estimate of 0.14 (95% range 0.08–0.21). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±20.4%, with 80% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.19942030
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 →
20260.130.060.19
20270.130.070.19
20280.130.070.20
20290.140.070.20
20300.140.080.21

Routes In Eastern Tallgrass Prairie

Routes recording Sandhill Crane in Eastern Tallgrass Prairie.
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 →
CaledoniaILLINOIS62021
Lake SummersetILLINOIS52022
CubaINDIANA42025
KunkleOHIO42025
Kankakee SandsINDIANA32025
BryantIOWA32025
RaymondWISCONSIN32025
GeneseoILLINOIS22025
WayneILLINOIS22019
ShannonILLINOIS22015
FairdaleILLINOIS22025
W LafayetteINDIANA22024
Portage 2INDIANA22022
Crown PointINDIANA22018
Davis CornerIOWA22017
LakevilleMINNESOTA22018
AustinMINNESOTA22023
SheffieldILLINOIS12022
New LenoxILLINOIS12017
BelleviewILLINOIS12023
JamestownILLINOIS12019
SenecaILLINOIS12024
AldenILLINOIS12023
UnionILLINOIS12017
SterlingILLINOIS12017

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