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 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 →
64Routes 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 KentuckyNotable 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 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 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 →
3.8Projected 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 →
0.00–8.395% 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 →
±26.7%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 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.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 →
20254.30.008.8
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.
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 →
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.