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Species · West Virginia · BBS 2026 Release · 1966–2025

Yellow-billed Cuckoo Population Trend in West Virginia

All statesForest birds

Yellow-billed Cuckoo in West Virginia has fallen sharply: down 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 →
62Routes 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 →
59YearsYears 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 West VirginiaNotable 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 West Virginia: down 54% on the route-weighted index since 1968.

Yellow-billed Cuckoo Population Forecast in West Virginia

If the recent trend holds, Yellow-billed Cuckoo in West Virginia is projected to rise about 173% by 2030 — from 0.67 in 2025 to a central estimate of 1.8 (95% range 0.00–3.7). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±113.6%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

+173%Change by 2030TrendPercent 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 →
1.8Projected 2030 indexProjected indexThe central forecast of the abundance index if the recent trend continues. A projection of the current trajectory, not a prediction.Full methodology →
0.00–3.795% 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 →
±113.6%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 West Virginia is projected to rise about 173% by 2030 — from 0.67 in 2025 to a central estimate of 1.8 (95% range 0.00–3.7). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±113.6%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.19662030
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 →
20261.90.043.7
20271.90.033.7
20281.90.023.7
20291.90.013.7
20301.80.003.7

Yellow-billed Cuckoo Survey Routes in West Virginia

Routes recording Yellow-billed Cuckoo in West Virginia.
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 →
Welch1120211980
Arlee819791967
Washburn820151974
Lost River820251996
Sleepy Creek719901967
Spencer520241986
Sugar Grove520251966
Meadowville520231972
Rio519951974
Ruthbelle520251977
Shanghai520251995
Strange Crk420231982
Monongah420221968
Mcdonald420231987
Ghent320211978
Paradise320191967
Josephs Mill320241995
Greer320231969
Albright319721968
Clinton320191966
Hix220241971
Stollings220211986
Breeden220241986
Pt Pleasant220251973
Yawkey220231966

Yellow-billed Cuckoo Population Trend in Other States

alabamaarizonaarkansascaliforniacoloradoconnecticutdelawarefloridageorgiaidahoillinoisindianaiowakansaskentuckylouisianamainemarylandmassachusettsmichiganminnesotamississippimissourimontananebraskanevadanew-hampshirenew-jerseynew-mexiconew-yorknorth-carolinanorth-dakotaohiooklahomapennsylvaniarhode-islandsouth-carolinasouth-dakotatennesseetexasutahvermontvirginiawisconsinwyoming

Source: USGS North American Breeding Bird Survey, retrieved 2026-08-14.