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

Sandhill Crane Population Trend in Wisconsin

All statesWetland birds

Sandhill Crane in Wisconsin has surged: up 35× on the route-weighted index since 1968.

35×Since 1968TrendPercent 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 →
93Routes 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 WisconsinNotable 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 Wisconsin: up 35× on the route-weighted index since 1968.

Sandhill Crane Population Forecast in Wisconsin

If the recent trend holds, Sandhill Crane in Wisconsin is projected to rise about 50% by 2029 — from 7.0 in 2024 to a central estimate of 10 (95% range 8.0–13). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±27.4%, with 40% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

+50%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 →
10Projected 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 →
8.0–1395% 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 →
±27.4%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 Wisconsin is projected to rise about 50% by 2029 — from 7.0 in 2024 to a central estimate of 10 (95% range 8.0–13). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±27.4%, 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 →
20259.77.312
20269.97.512
2027107.712
2028107.913
2029108.013

Sandhill Crane Survey Routes in Wisconsin

Routes recording Sandhill Crane in Wisconsin.
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 →
Mukwonago 25520242005
Omro 24420242002
Grimms4420211999
Omro4320011971
Princeton2920241966
Fall River2720241981
Briggsville2620241999
Pt Washingtn2420241999
Gresham2420241998
Pardeeville2320241968
Mather2220231966
Rolling Pr2120241987
Gilman2020241979
Clintonville1920241969
Beaver Dam1920231978
Eden1820241980
Buena Vista1820241998
Paris1720241982
Wis Rapids1520231967
Holland1520241998
Manitowoc1320241997
Dresser1220241993
Wiota1120241991
Loraine1020211993
Cumberland1020241987

Sandhill Crane Population Trend in Other States

alaskacaliforniacoloradofloridageorgiaidahoillinoisindianaiowamassachusettsmichiganminnesotamississippimissourimontananebraskanevadanew-yorknorth-dakotaohiooregonpennsylvaniasouth-dakotautahwashingtonwyoming

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