BirdAnalyst
Species · Wisconsin · BBS 2026 Release · 1966–2025

Sandhill Crane Population Trend in Wisconsin

All statesWetland birds

Sandhill Crane in Wisconsin has surged: up 33× on the route-weighted index since 1968.

33×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 →
58YearsYears 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 33× 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 98% by 2030 — from 5.2 in 2025 to a central estimate of 10 (95% range 7.6–13). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±37.9%, with 40% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

+98%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 →
10Projected 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 →
7.6–1395% 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 →
±37.9%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 Wisconsin is projected to rise about 98% by 2030 — from 5.2 in 2025 to a central estimate of 10 (95% range 7.6–13). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±37.9%, with 40% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.19662030
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 →
20269.66.912
20279.77.112
20289.97.313
2029107.413
2030107.613

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 →
Grimms4420211999
Omro4320011971
Briggsville4220251999
Fall River3320251981
Princeton2920241966
Paris2620251982
Pt Washingtn2420241999
Mather2220231966
Clintonville2220251969
Beaver Dam1920231978
Gresham1920251998
Hebron1820251981
Manawa1620251976
Beloit1620252000
Mukwonago 21620252005
Wis Rapids1520231967
Manitowoc1320241997
Omro 21320252002
Rolling Pr1220251987
Pardeeville1120251968
Cadott1020251982
Unity1020251968
Eden1020251980
Stevens Pt920231973
Elderon920241975

Sandhill Crane Population Trend in Other States

alaskacaliforniacoloradofloridageorgiaidahoillinoisindianaiowamassachusettsmichiganminnesotamississippimissourimontananebraskanevadanew-yorknorth-dakotaohiooregonpennsylvaniasouth-dakotautahwashingtonwyoming

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