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

Yellow-billed Cuckoo Population Trend in Indiana

All statesGeneralists

Yellow-billed Cuckoo in Indiana has collapsed: down 78% on the route-weighted index since 1968.

-78%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 →
63Routes 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 →
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 Yellow-billed Cuckoo Trends in IndianaNotable 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 Indiana: down 78% on the route-weighted index since 1968.

Yellow-billed Cuckoo Population Forecast in Indiana

If the recent trend holds, Yellow-billed Cuckoo in Indiana is projected to rise about 30% by 2029 — from 0.85 in 2024 to a central estimate of 1.1 (95% range 0.00–3.3). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±59.5%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

+30%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 →
1.1Projected 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 →
0.00–3.395% 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 →
±59.5%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 Indiana is projected to rise about 30% by 2029 — from 0.85 in 2024 to a central estimate of 1.1 (95% range 0.00–3.3). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±59.5%, 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 →
20251.30.003.5
20261.30.003.4
20271.20.003.4
20281.20.003.4
20291.10.003.3

Yellow-billed Cuckoo Survey Routes in Indiana

Routes recording Yellow-billed Cuckoo in Indiana.
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 →
Cyprss720111999
Cumback620211966
Kokomo520241995
Georgia420241999
South Bend319841967
W Lafayette320161981
Berne320181967
Pimento320241981
Friendswood320171990
Jamestown320221987
Milroy320211966
Brookville320241966
Indian Spgs320241982
Celestine320241979
Cuba320212017
Hoosier320241990
New Castle320242016
Packertown 2320192005
Gary219831980
Knox220221981
Middlebury220211993
Packertown220041967
Ellis220211967
Galveston220191981
Thorntown220191982

Yellow-billed Cuckoo Population Trend in Other States

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

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