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

Sandhill Crane Population Trend in Utah

All statesWetland birds

Sandhill Crane in Utah has surged: up 28× on the route-weighted index since 1990.

28×Since 1990TrendPercent 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 →
43Routes 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 →
36YearsYears 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 UtahNotable 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 Utah: up 28× on the route-weighted index since 1990.

Sandhill Crane Population Forecast in Utah

If the recent trend holds, Sandhill Crane in Utah is projected to fall about 12% by 2029 — from 2.1 in 2024 to a central estimate of 1.8 (95% range 1.2–2.4). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±30.1%, with 40% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

-12%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 →
1.8Projected 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 →
1.2–2.495% 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 →
±30.1%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 Utah is projected to fall about 12% by 2029 — from 2.1 in 2024 to a central estimate of 1.8 (95% range 1.2–2.4). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±30.1%, with 40% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.19872029
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 →
20251.61.02.2
20261.71.12.3
20271.71.12.3
20281.81.22.4
20291.81.22.4

Sandhill Crane Survey Routes in Utah

Routes recording Sandhill Crane in Utah.
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 →
Randolph7620241992
Kamas2420241997
Jensen820241992
Woodruff720242003
Saleratus Cr520151998
Lynn420231988
Bear River420231992
Goose Creek Mtn.420192010
Hardware Ranch420181996
Fairfield420212021
Cleveland420212021
Wellington 2320082008
Timpie Spg220022002
Beck219871987
Neponset Res220181995
Grizzly Rdge220242024
Goshen220241990
Boulder220212021
Vernon220222010
Soapstone220222008
Callao220221993
Fayette220191996
Skyline Driv220161993
Castle Dale220192018
Beck 2220032003

Sandhill Crane Population Trend in Other States

alaskacaliforniacoloradofloridageorgiaidahoillinoisindianaiowamassachusettsmichiganminnesotamississippimissourimontananebraskanevadanew-yorknorth-dakotaohiooregonpennsylvaniasouth-dakotawashingtonwisconsinwyoming

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