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

Yellow-billed Cuckoo Population Trend in Michigan

All statesGeneralists

Yellow-billed Cuckoo in Michigan has risen sharply: up 54% on the route-weighted index since 1968.

+54%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 →
84Routes 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 MichiganNotable 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 risen sharply in Michigan: up 54% on the route-weighted index since 1968.

Yellow-billed Cuckoo Population Forecast in Michigan

If the recent trend holds, Yellow-billed Cuckoo in Michigan is projected to rise about 129% by 2029 — from 0.34 in 2024 to a central estimate of 0.78 (95% range 0.06–1.5). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±45.3%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

+129%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 →
0.78Projected 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 →
0.06–1.595% 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 →
±45.3%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 Michigan is projected to rise about 129% by 2029 — from 0.34 in 2024 to a central estimate of 0.78 (95% range 0.06–1.5). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±45.3%, 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 →
20250.770.051.5
20260.780.051.5
20270.780.051.5
20280.780.061.5
20290.780.061.5

Yellow-billed Cuckoo Survey Routes in Michigan

Routes recording Yellow-billed Cuckoo in Michigan.
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 →
Barry S.G.A. 21720192013
Creighton919801980
Nashville520231968
Homer520211975
Hamburg 2520222006
Howardsville420241971
Mottville420231967
Riggsville420171967
Mayfield420142001
Lawrence320221970
Pleasant Val319911967
Bell Oak320071967
Prattville320211967
Cathro320091974
Sidnaw320242013
Almena320151994
Marenisco219981981
Maple Grove220231981
Cunard220151974
Big Rapids219881972
Galesburg220241968
Remus220221975
Red Oak220221985
Ola220081974
Fowlerville220161974

Yellow-billed Cuckoo Population Trend in Other States

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

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