BirdAnalyst
Species · North Carolina · BBS 2025 Release · 1966–2024

Yellow-billed Cuckoo Population Trend in North Carolina

All statesGeneralists

Yellow-billed Cuckoo in North Carolina has edged down: down 20% on the route-weighted index since 1968.

-20%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 →
106Routes 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 North CarolinaNotable signalsLong-arc shifts the engine flags automatically — sustained declines or increases large enough to stand out from year-to-year noise.Full methodology →

No notable trend signals for Yellow-billed Cuckoo in North Carolina. See the full index history below.

Yellow-billed Cuckoo Population Forecast in North Carolina

If the recent trend holds, Yellow-billed Cuckoo in North Carolina is projected to rise about 40% by 2029 — from 2.8 in 2024 to a central estimate of 3.9 (95% range 0.65–7.2). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±55.3%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

+40%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 →
3.9Projected 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 →
0.65–7.295% 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 →
±55.3%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 North Carolina is projected to rise about 40% by 2029 — from 2.8 in 2024 to a central estimate of 3.9 (95% range 0.65–7.2). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±55.3%, 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 →
20254.00.787.3
20264.00.757.3
20274.00.727.2
20283.90.697.2
20293.90.657.2

Yellow-billed Cuckoo Survey Routes in North Carolina

Routes recording Yellow-billed Cuckoo in North Carolina.
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 →
Sheep Ridge1720241994
Beargrass1119811966
Green Swamp1020062002
Mashoes919821971
California 2920242014
Cypress Cr920221990
Dortches920241990
Rheasville920172005
Goldston920222001
Ernul920092001
Bullock820241997
Congleton820242001
Arapahoe719951966
Reelsboro720191997
Durham720241990
Cayton720242010
Shallotte619911967
Youngsville620241966
Grandy619751971
Supply620241992
Roseboro620241995
Pinetops620242000
South. Pines619961995
Lloyd Xroads620241990
Gupton620242001

Yellow-billed Cuckoo Population Trend in Other States

alabamaarizonaarkansascaliforniacoloradoconnecticutdelawarefloridageorgiaidahoillinoisindianaiowakansaskentuckylouisianamainemarylandmassachusettsmichiganminnesotamississippimissourimontananebraskanevadanew-hampshirenew-jerseynew-mexiconew-yorknorth-dakotaohiooklahomapennsylvaniarhode-islandsouth-carolinasouth-dakotatennesseetexasutahvermontvirginiawest-virginiawisconsinwyoming

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