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

Yellow-billed Cuckoo Population Trend in Iowa

All statesGeneralists

Yellow-billed Cuckoo in Iowa has fallen sharply: down 71% on the route-weighted index since 1969.

-71%Since 1969
39Routes In State
57Years

Notable Yellow-billed Cuckoo Trends in Iowa

long arc declinecomputed index

Yellow-billed Cuckoo has fallen sharply in Iowa: down 71% on the route-weighted index since 1969.

Yellow-billed Cuckoo Population Forecast in Iowa

If the recent trend holds, Yellow-billed Cuckoo in Iowa is projected to rise about 222% by 2029 — from 0.18 in 2024 to a central estimate of 0.59 (95% range 0.00–1.4). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±144.9%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

+222%Change by 2029
0.59Projected 2029 index
0.00–1.495% range
±144.9%Backtest error
19672029
Projection of the recent trend (dashed) with 80/95% bands — a projection, not a prediction. Habitat, climate, and land use are not modeled.
YearProjected index95% low95% high
20250.630.001.4
20260.620.001.4
20270.610.001.4
20280.600.001.4
20290.590.001.4

Yellow-billed Cuckoo Survey Routes in Iowa

Routes recording Yellow-billed Cuckoo in Iowa.
College Spgs2520041968
Bedford820181968
Wales420181969
Hudson420211967
Melrose320221978
Exline220241974
Bryant220181967
Williamsburg220111970
Desmoines219781972
Festina220211969
Tipton220191999
Lafayette220192004
Mt Hamill120241967
West Liberty120211968
Cedar Valley119961967
Brooklyn120211967
Red Rock120191968
Panther120221967
Washington120221968
Neola120141968
Maquoketa120221969
Alice119961967
Prairieburg119991971
Dinsdale120051969
Kanawha120191967

Yellow-billed Cuckoo Population Trend in Other States

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

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