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Species · Montana · BBS 2026 Release · 1966–2025

Sandhill Crane Population Trend in Montana

All statesWetland birds

Sandhill Crane in Montana has surged: up 19× on the route-weighted index since 1970.

19×Since 1970TrendPercent 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 →
72Routes 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 →
57YearsYears 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 MontanaNotable 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 Montana: up 19× on the route-weighted index since 1970.

Sandhill Crane Population Forecast in Montana

If the recent trend holds, Sandhill Crane in Montana is projected to fall about 40% by 2030 — from 3.5 in 2025 to a central estimate of 2.1 (95% range 0.00–5.1). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±22.4%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

-40%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 →
2.1Projected 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 →
0.00–5.195% 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 →
±22.4%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 Montana is projected to fall about 40% by 2030 — from 3.5 in 2025 to a central estimate of 2.1 (95% range 0.00–5.1). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±22.4%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.19682030
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 →
20262.10.005.1
20272.10.005.1
20282.10.005.1
20292.10.005.1
20302.10.005.1

Sandhill Crane Survey Routes in Montana

Routes recording Sandhill Crane in Montana.
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 →
Willow Creek 27220251982
Red Rock4920251973
Pablo Res.2820252005
Church Hill2820252018
Beaverhead1520251973
Two Dot1120251977
Highwood1020252004
Fort Logan1020252018
Glen920251977
Winifred 2720252024
Winnett720252017
Twin Bridges619761968
Sula520241987
St Xavier520101994
Ninemile520252005
Freeman Creek520162015
Clyde Park520252018
Kalispell420251988
Victor420242024
Brandenberg420141997
Albion420221994
Wolf Creek420192019
Raynesford420242016
Philipsburg420232019
Chuffey Spring420222022

Sandhill Crane Population Trend in Other States

alaskacaliforniacoloradofloridageorgiaidahoillinoisindianaiowamassachusettsmichiganminnesotamississippimissourinebraskanevadanew-yorknorth-dakotaohiooregonpennsylvaniasouth-dakotautahwashingtonwisconsinwyoming

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