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

Yellow-billed Cuckoo Population Trend in Kentucky

All statesGeneralists

Yellow-billed Cuckoo in Kentucky has fallen sharply: down 50% on the route-weighted index since 1968.

-50%Since 1968
64Routes In State
58Years

Notable Yellow-billed Cuckoo Trends in Kentucky

long arc declinecomputed index

Yellow-billed Cuckoo has fallen sharply in Kentucky: down 50% on the route-weighted index since 1968.

Yellow-billed Cuckoo Population Forecast in Kentucky

If the recent trend holds, Yellow-billed Cuckoo in Kentucky is projected to fall about 24% by 2029 — from 5.0 in 2024 to a central estimate of 3.8 (95% range 0.00–8.3). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±26.7%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

-24%Change by 2029
3.8Projected 2029 index
0.00–8.395% range
±26.7%Backtest error
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 index95% low95% high
20254.30.008.8
20264.20.008.7
20274.00.008.5
20283.90.008.4
20293.80.008.3

Yellow-billed Cuckoo Survey Routes in Kentucky

Routes recording Yellow-billed Cuckoo in Kentucky.
Boxville2619831966
Joy2220231966
Beattyville 21420242006
Bardwell1320031967
Riverqueen1320242007
Apex1320242005
Merrimac1220241967
Buena Vista1220171966
Bays Fork1220191999
Morganfield1120242022
Cumberlnd Gp1020181966
Mckee920241968
Million719861966
Eastview720241967
Daniel Boone719881966
Gesling719731967
Hegira620241988
Johnsonville620211966
Porter620241966
Sewell Shop620231966
Sulphur Lick520241966
Sunnybrook520221968
Kehoe 2520242006
Plum520241966
Hodgenville 2520232008

Yellow-billed Cuckoo Population Trend in Other States

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

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