BirdAnalyst
Species · Colorado · BBS 2025 Release · 1966–2024

Yellow-billed Cuckoo Population Trend in Colorado

All statesGeneralists

Yellow-billed Cuckoo in Colorado has collapsed: down 77% on the route-weighted index since 1981.

-77%Since 1981TrendPercent 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 →
14Routes 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 →
19YearsYears surveyedNumber of years with at least one standard-protocol run in this geography. A longer record makes the trend more reliable.Full methodology →

Notable Yellow-billed Cuckoo 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 →

Yellow-billed Cuckoo has collapsed in Colorado: down 77% on the route-weighted index since 1981.

Yellow-billed Cuckoo Population Forecast in Colorado

If the recent trend holds, Yellow-billed Cuckoo in Colorado is projected to stay roughly flat through 2028, near 0.00 (95% range 0.00–0.16). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±241.8%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

n/aChange by 2028TrendPercent 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 →
0.00Projected 2028 indexProjected indexThe central forecast of the abundance index if the recent trend continues. A projection of the current trajectory, not a prediction.Full methodology →
0.00–0.1695% 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 →
±241.8%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 Colorado is projected to stay roughly flat through 2028, near 0.00 (95% range 0.00–0.16). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±241.8%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.19732028
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 →
20240.000.000.16
20250.000.000.16
20260.000.000.16
20270.000.000.16
20280.000.000.16

Yellow-billed Cuckoo Survey Routes in Colorado

Routes recording Yellow-billed Cuckoo 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 →
Lamar619851985
Wildhorse L520121990
Doyle Bridge 2420011998
Doyle Bridge219971996
Great Divide119831983
Ninaview120011995
Harmony120131980
Pinneo119881981
Gordon Creek119981998
Abarr119981985
Fort Morgan120131999
Trinchera119961990
Two Buttes119821973
Neegrande120232023

Yellow-billed Cuckoo Population Trend in Other States

alabamaarizonaarkansascaliforniaconnecticutdelawarefloridageorgiaidahoillinoisindianaiowakansaskentuckylouisianamainemarylandmassachusettsmichiganminnesotamississippimissourimontananebraskanevadanew-hampshirenew-jerseynew-mexiconew-yorknorth-carolinanorth-dakotaohiooklahomapennsylvaniarhode-islandsouth-carolinasouth-dakotatennesseetexasutahvermontvirginiawest-virginiawisconsinwyoming

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