BirdAnalyst
Species · BCR 22 · BBS 2025 Release · 1966–2024

Yellow-billed Cuckoo In Eastern Tallgrass Prairie

All regionsEastern Tallgrass PrairieGeneralists

Yellow-billed Cuckoo in Eastern Tallgrass Prairie has edged down: down 25% on the route-weighted index since 1968.

-25%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 →
269Routes 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 →
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 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 Yellow-billed Cuckoo in Eastern Tallgrass Prairie. See the full index history below.

Yellow-billed Cuckoo In Eastern Tallgrass Prairie Population Forecast

If the recent trend holds, Yellow-billed Cuckoo in Eastern Tallgrass Prairie is projected to rise about 19% by 2029 — from 2.2 in 2024 to a central estimate of 2.6 (95% range 0.45–4.8). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±18.4%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

+19%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 →
2.6Projected 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 →
0.45–4.895% 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 →
±18.4%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, Yellow-billed Cuckoo in Eastern Tallgrass Prairie is projected to rise about 19% by 2029 — from 2.2 in 2024 to a central estimate of 2.6 (95% range 0.45–4.8). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±18.4%, with 100% 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 →
20252.70.564.9
20262.70.544.9
20272.70.514.9
20282.70.484.8
20292.60.454.8

Routes In Eastern Tallgrass Prairie

Routes recording Yellow-billed Cuckoo in Eastern Tallgrass 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 →
College SpgsIOWA252004
BelleviewILLINOIS202024
Trading PostKANSAS182024
FilleyMISSOURI182024
KeetonvilleOKLAHOMA172022
FrankfordMISSOURI162024
Mascoutah LkILLINOIS142024
BucyrusKANSAS122024
PeoriaOKLAHOMA122023
MoreheadKANSAS112024
ReeceKANSAS112024
LincolnvilleKANSAS112024
OhioMISSOURI112024
HumboldtKANSAS102022
AuburnMISSOURI102024
WainwrightOKLAHOMA102013
WrefordKANSAS92024
GeraldMISSOURI92024
WelchOKLAHOMA92024
BedfordIOWA82018
DoverKANSAS82022
SenecaKANSAS82022
SeveranceKANSAS82024
Sni MillsMISSOURI81990
HuntsvilleMISSOURI82024

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