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Species · BCR 18 · BBS 2026 Release · 1966–2025

Sharp-tailed Grouse In Shortgrass Prairie

All regionsShortgrass PrairieGame birds

Sharp-tailed Grouse in Shortgrass Prairie has edged down: down 13% on the route-weighted index since 1983.

-13%Since 1983TrendPercent 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 →
10Routes In RegionSurvey routesHow many standard-protocol BBS routes contributed counts. More routes means a steadier, better-sampled index; very thin coverage is suppressed.Full methodology →
21YearsYears surveyedNumber of years with at least one standard-protocol run in this geography. A longer record makes the trend more reliable.Full methodology →

Notable SignalsNotable signalsLong-arc shifts the engine flags automatically — sustained declines or increases large enough to stand out from year-to-year noise.Full methodology →

No notable trend signals for Sharp-tailed Grouse in Shortgrass Prairie. See the full index history below.

Sharp-tailed Grouse In Shortgrass Prairie Population Forecast

If the recent trend holds, Sharp-tailed Grouse in Shortgrass Prairie is projected to fall about 60% by 2030 — from 0.07 in 2025 to a central estimate of 0.03 (95% range 0.00–0.08). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±58.1%, with 80% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

-60%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 →
0.03Projected 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 →
0.00–0.0895% 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 →
±58.1%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, Sharp-tailed Grouse in Shortgrass Prairie is projected to fall about 60% by 2030 — from 0.07 in 2025 to a central estimate of 0.03 (95% range 0.00–0.08). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±58.1%, with 80% 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 →
20260.030.000.08
20270.030.000.08
20280.030.000.08
20290.030.000.08
20300.030.000.08

Routes In Shortgrass Prairie

Routes recording Sharp-tailed Grouse in Shortgrass Prairie.
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 →
CrawfordNEBRASKA32002
Pine RidgeNEBRASKA32025
ChugwaterWYOMING32024
Murray LakeNEBRASKA22018
Hay SpringsNEBRASKA22025
Pine BluffWYOMING21998
DaltonNEBRASKA11996
AgateNEBRASKA11983
BereaNEBRASKA12012
CheyenneWYOMING11994

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