BirdAnalyst
Species · Indiana · BBS 2026 Release · 1966–2025

Sandhill Crane Population Trend in Indiana

All statesWetland birds

Sandhill Crane in Indiana has surged: up 527% on the route-weighted index since 2004.

+527%Since 2004TrendPercent 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 →
13Routes In StateSurvey 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 Sandhill Crane Trends in IndianaNotable 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 Indiana: up 527% on the route-weighted index since 2004.

Sandhill Crane Population Forecast in Indiana

If the recent trend holds, Sandhill Crane in Indiana is projected to fall about 28% by 2030 — from 0.63 in 2025 to a central estimate of 0.46 (95% range 0.24–0.67). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±42.4%, with 60% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

-28%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 →
0.46Projected 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 →
0.24–0.6795% 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 →
±42.4%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 Indiana is projected to fall about 28% by 2030 — from 0.63 in 2025 to a central estimate of 0.46 (95% range 0.24–0.67). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±42.4%, with 60% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.20012030
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 →
20260.400.180.61
20270.410.200.63
20280.430.210.64
20290.440.230.66
20300.460.240.67

Sandhill Crane Survey Routes in Indiana

Routes recording Sandhill Crane in Indiana.
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 →
Indiana Dune1220252009
Ellis420242001
Lagrange420252001
Cuba420252019
Middlebury320252005
Kankakee Sands320252006
Packertown 2320252017
Lakeville220152015
Portage 2220222019
W Lafayette220242007
Crown Point220182018
Knox120242024
Wabash120132013

Sandhill Crane Population Trend in Other States

alaskacaliforniacoloradofloridageorgiaidahoillinoisiowamassachusettsmichiganminnesotamississippimissourimontananebraskanevadanew-yorknorth-dakotaohiooregonpennsylvaniasouth-dakotautahwashingtonwisconsinwyoming

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