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

Scaled Quail Population Trend in Colorado

All statesGame birds

Scaled Quail in Colorado has fallen sharply: down 67% on the route-weighted index since 1971.

-67%Since 1971TrendPercent 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 →
25Routes 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 →
54YearsYears surveyedNumber of years with at least one standard-protocol run in this geography. A longer record makes the trend more reliable.Full methodology →

Notable Scaled Quail Trends in ColoradoNotable 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 declinecomputed 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 →

Scaled Quail has fallen sharply in Colorado: down 67% on the route-weighted index since 1971.

Scaled Quail Population Forecast in Colorado

If the recent trend holds, Scaled Quail in Colorado is projected to stay roughly flat through 2030, near 0.34 (95% range 0.00–0.94). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±599%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

n/aChange 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 →
0.34Projected 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 →
0.00–0.9495% 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 →
±599%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, Scaled Quail in Colorado is projected to stay roughly flat through 2030, near 0.34 (95% range 0.00–0.94). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±599%, 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 →
20260.350.000.96
20270.350.000.96
20280.340.000.95
20290.340.000.95
20300.340.000.94

Scaled Quail Survey Routes in Colorado

Routes recording Scaled Quail in Colorado.
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 →
Doyle Bridge1519971992
Haswell1020242006
Pritchett720171995
Lamar420241975
Mica Butte419861968
Doyle Bridge 2420191998
Rush320221983
Boyero320171981
Gilpin320171970
Edison320241994
Crowley320241989
Neegrande320181992
Two Buttes220141980
Cone Mtn220211994
Cheyenne119921992
Trinchera120211997
Villegreen120171996
Campo120251988
Ellicott120221995
Karval120191995
Walsenburg120022002
Timpas120251997
Cokedale120062006
Ninaview120231994
Edler120251992

Scaled Quail Population Trend in Other States

arizonakansasnew-mexicooklahomatexasutahwashington

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