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

Western Bluebird In Shortgrass Prairie

All regionsShortgrass PrairieForest birds

Western Bluebird in Shortgrass Prairie has increased: up 30% on the route-weighted index since 1998.

+30%Since 1998TrendPercent 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 →
7Routes 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 →
29YearsYears 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 Western Bluebird in Shortgrass Prairie. See the full index history below.

Western Bluebird In Shortgrass Prairie Population Forecast

If the recent trend holds, Western Bluebird in Shortgrass Prairie is projected to fall about 41% by 2030 — from 0.27 in 2025 to a central estimate of 0.16 (95% range 0.03–0.30). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±128.2%, with 80% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

-41%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 →
0.16Projected 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 →
0.03–0.3095% 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 →
±128.2%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, Western Bluebird in Shortgrass Prairie is projected to fall about 41% by 2030 — from 0.27 in 2025 to a central estimate of 0.16 (95% range 0.03–0.30). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±128.2%, 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 →
20260.160.020.29
20270.160.020.29
20280.160.020.30
20290.160.030.30
20300.160.030.30

Routes In Shortgrass Prairie

Routes recording Western Bluebird 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 →
ElbertCOLORADO132025
Kiowa 2COLORADO82025
FarleyNEW-MEXICO51989
KiowaCOLORADO42015
VillegreenCOLORADO41998
TrincheraCOLORADO12022
Cooley LakeNEW-MEXICO11968

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