BirdAnalyst
Species · BCR 17 · BBS 2025 Release · 1966–2024

Yellow-breasted Chat In Badlands and Prairies

All regionsBadlands and PrairiesGeneralists

Yellow-breasted Chat in Badlands and Prairies has surged: up 81% on the route-weighted index since 1969.

+81%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 →
82Routes In RegionSurvey routesHow many standard-protocol BBS routes contributed counts. More routes means a steadier, better-sampled index; very thin coverage is suppressed.Full methodology →
57YearsYears surveyedNumber of years with at least one standard-protocol run in this geography. A longer record makes the trend more reliable.Full methodology →

Notable SignalsNotable 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-breasted Chat has surged in Badlands and Prairies: up 81% on the route-weighted index since 1969.

Yellow-breasted Chat In Badlands and Prairies Population Forecast

If the recent trend holds, Yellow-breasted Chat in Badlands and Prairies is projected to rise about 127% by 2029 — from 0.50 in 2024 to a central estimate of 1.1 (95% range 0.31–2.0). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±50.5%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

+127%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 →
1.1Projected 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 →
0.31–2.095% 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 →
±50.5%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-breasted Chat in Badlands and Prairies is projected to rise about 127% by 2029 — from 0.50 in 2024 to a central estimate of 1.1 (95% range 0.31–2.0). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±50.5%, 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 →
20251.10.291.9
20261.10.302.0
20271.10.302.0
20281.10.312.0
20291.10.312.0

Routes In Badlands and Prairies

Routes recording Yellow-breasted Chat in Badlands and Prairies.
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 →
TobaccoNORTH-DAKOTA292019
Roosevelt PkNORTH-DAKOTA252019
ForsythMONTANA82023
Reed PointMONTANA82024
BadlandsSOUTH-DAKOTA82022
SchoonoverWYOMING82023
St XavierMONTANA62011
RosebudSOUTH-DAKOTA62010
RockyfordSOUTH-DAKOTA62022
SavageMONTANA52021
BrandenbergMONTANA52019
CusterMONTANA42022
GorhamNORTH-DAKOTA42018
RevaSOUTH-DAKOTA42024
LaplantSOUTH-DAKOTA32013
CusterSOUTH-DAKOTA32024
Cedar PassSOUTH-DAKOTA32015
Wind Cave NpSOUTH-DAKOTA32024
BrusettMONTANA22024
JordanMONTANA22024
ShawmutMONTANA21990
PowdervilleMONTANA22007
St Xavier 2MONTANA22023
LindsayMONTANA22016
Hehn DrawMONTANA22024

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