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

Sandhill Crane Population Trend in Montana

All statesWetland birds

Sandhill Crane in Montana has surged: up 16× on the route-weighted index since 1970.

16×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 →
70Routes 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 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 16× 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 stay roughly flat through 2029, near 2.0 (95% range 0.00–5.0). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±20.9%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

+4%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 →
2.0Projected 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 →
0.00–5.095% 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 →
±20.9%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 stay roughly flat through 2029, near 2.0 (95% range 0.00–5.0). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±20.9%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.19682029
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 →
20252.00.005.0
20262.00.005.0
20272.00.005.0
20282.00.005.0
20292.00.005.0

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 →
Red Rock2720241973
Two Dot2520241977
Willow Creek 21320241982
Beaverhead1220241973
Glen820241977
Laurel820221987
Clyde Park820242018
Highwood720242004
Twin Bridges619761968
Winnett620222017
Pablo Res.620212005
Sula520241987
St Xavier520101994
Ninemile520242005
Freeman Creek520162015
Victor420242024
Shawmut420241995
Webster420232015
Brandenberg420141997
Albion420221994
Wolf Creek420192019
Raynesford420242016
Philipsburg420232019
Chuffey Spring420222022
Kalispell320241988

Sandhill Crane Population Trend in Other States

alaskacaliforniacoloradofloridageorgiaidahoillinoisindianaiowamassachusettsmichiganminnesotamississippimissourinebraskanevadanew-yorknorth-dakotaohiooregonpennsylvaniasouth-dakotautahwashingtonwisconsinwyoming

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