BirdAnalyst
Species · BCR 24 · BBS 2025 Release · 1966–2024

Yellow-billed Cuckoo In Central Hardwoods

All regionsCentral HardwoodsGeneralists

Yellow-billed Cuckoo in Central Hardwoods has declined: down 48% on the route-weighted index since 1968.

-48%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 →
166Routes 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 Central Hardwoods. See the full index history below.

Forecast

If the recent trend holds, Yellow-billed Cuckoo in Central Hardwoods is projected to fall about 18% by 2029 — from 5.3 in 2024 to a central estimate of 4.3 (95% range 0.28–8.4). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±17.9%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

-18%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 →
4.3Projected 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 →
0.28–8.495% 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 →
±17.9%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, Yellow-billed Cuckoo in Central Hardwoods is projected to fall about 18% by 2029 — from 5.3 in 2024 to a central estimate of 4.3 (95% range 0.28–8.4). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±17.9%, 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 →
20254.90.839.0
20264.80.698.8
20274.60.568.7
20284.50.428.5
20294.30.288.4

Routes In Central Hardwoods

Routes recording Yellow-billed Cuckoo in Central Hardwoods.
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 →
BoxvilleKENTUCKY261983
Ravenden SpringsARKANSAS222015
JoyKENTUCKY222023
BelknapILLINOIS212024
BaronOKLAHOMA212023
ColcordOKLAHOMA212022
CampbellsvilleTENNESSEE212017
BarksMISSOURI182024
Trace CollinwoodTENNESSEE182018
YellvilleARKANSAS162022
IrontonMISSOURI161980
LurtonARKANSAS152023
PulaskiILLINOIS152024
RiverqueenKENTUCKY132024
ApexKENTUCKY132024
PulaskiMISSOURI132024
GraydonMISSOURI132024
MerrimacKENTUCKY122024
Buena VistaKENTUCKY122017
Bays ForkKENTUCKY122019
WilliamsvillMISSOURI122024
Osage BeachMISSOURI122024
LincolnMISSOURI122024
DiamondMISSOURI122024
Trace LewisTENNESSEE122017

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