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

Yellow-billed Cuckoo Population Trend in Massachusetts

All statesGeneralists

Yellow-billed Cuckoo in Massachusetts has surged: up 123% on the route-weighted index since 1969.

+123%Since 1969TrendPercent 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 →
28Routes 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 →
52YearsYears 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 MassachusettsNotable 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 increasecomputed 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 surged in Massachusetts: up 123% on the route-weighted index since 1969.

Yellow-billed Cuckoo Population Forecast in Massachusetts

If the recent trend holds, Yellow-billed Cuckoo in Massachusetts is projected to rise about 125% by 2029 — from 0.20 in 2024 to a central estimate of 0.45 (95% range 0.00–0.98). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±116.7%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

+125%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 →
0.45Projected 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 →
0.00–0.9895% 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 →
±116.7%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 Massachusetts is projected to rise about 125% by 2029 — from 0.20 in 2024 to a central estimate of 0.45 (95% range 0.00–0.98). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±116.7%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.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 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 →
20250.430.000.96
20260.440.000.96
20270.440.000.97
20280.450.000.97
20290.450.000.98

Yellow-billed Cuckoo Survey Routes in Massachusetts

Routes recording Yellow-billed Cuckoo in Massachusetts.
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 →
Wellfleet 2420172016
Belchertown320191973
Warren 2320192017
Chilmark219831971
Marion220181971
Prattville220161968
S Barre220191977
Chesterfield220191976
E Dennis120211967
Wellfleet119981986
Brockton120191981
Newburyport119971993
Maynard120181994
Littleton120191969
N Oxford120181969
Mansfield120161993
Ware River120192013
E Pepperell119931982
Warren120081972
N Orange120221969
Cummington120051970
Pittsfield120161969
Sheffield120221973
Monterey120242019
Cape Cod Ns119991999

Yellow-billed Cuckoo Population Trend in Other States

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

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