BirdAnalyst
Species · Michigan · BBS 2025 Release · 1966–2024

Sandhill Crane Population Trend in Michigan

All statesWetland birds

Sandhill Crane in Michigan has surged: up 40× on the route-weighted index since 1969.

40×Since 1969TrendPercent 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 →
89Routes 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 →
56YearsYears 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 MichiganNotable 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 Michigan: up 40× on the route-weighted index since 1969.

Sandhill Crane Population Forecast in Michigan

If the recent trend holds, Sandhill Crane in Michigan is projected to rise about 13% by 2029 — from 4.6 in 2024 to a central estimate of 5.2 (95% range 3.8–6.6). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±24.6%, with 40% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

+13%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 →
5.2Projected 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 →
3.8–6.695% 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 →
±24.6%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 Michigan is projected to rise about 13% by 2029 — from 4.6 in 2024 to a central estimate of 5.2 (95% range 3.8–6.6). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±24.6%, with 40% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.19662029
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 →
20254.83.46.3
20264.93.56.4
20275.03.66.4
20285.13.76.5
20295.23.86.6

Sandhill Crane Survey Routes in Michigan

Routes recording Sandhill Crane in Michigan.
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 →
Maple Rapids8120232001
Mottville3320241988
Pickford2220241980
Cohoctah1820242021
Nashville1220241974
Bell Oak 21020212016
Riggsville920191983
Barry S.G.A. 2920192013
Creighton820231978
Galesburg820241991
Raco820241971
Lapeer820242001
Ensign820102006
Herman720222013
Howardsville720241979
Holt720241996
Cathro720162005
Belding 2720242004
Walloon Lake 2720242009
S Lyons619921992
Cluster Lakes620102006
Bootjack520231993
Ned Lake520241994
Crystal Fls520242008
Coopersville520242002

Sandhill Crane Population Trend in Other States

alaskacaliforniacoloradofloridageorgiaidahoillinoisindianaiowamassachusettsminnesotamississippimissourimontananebraskanevadanew-yorknorth-dakotaohiooregonpennsylvaniasouth-dakotautahwashingtonwisconsinwyoming

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