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

Yellow Rail Population Trend in Minnesota

All statesWetland birds

Yellow Rail in Minnesota has held roughly steady: up 5% on the route-weighted index since 1981.

+5%Since 1981
9Routes In State
21Years

Notable Yellow Rail Trends in Minnesota

No notable trend signals for Yellow Rail in Minnesota. See the full index history below.

Yellow Rail Population Forecast in Minnesota

If the recent trend holds, Yellow Rail in Minnesota is projected to stay roughly flat through 2029, near 0.06 (95% range 0.00–0.22). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±179.5%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

n/aChange by 2029
0.06Projected 2029 index
0.00–0.2295% range
±179.5%Backtest error
19692029
Projection of the recent trend (dashed) with 80/95% bands — a projection, not a prediction. Habitat, climate, and land use are not modeled.
YearProjected index95% low95% high
20250.060.000.22
20260.060.000.22
20270.060.000.22
20280.060.000.22
20290.060.000.22

Yellow Rail Survey Routes in Minnesota

Routes recording Yellow Rail in Minnesota.
Badger620051999
Lake Bronson219991998
Brainerd120082008
Wylie119841984
Little Fork119691969
Erie119841984
Grygla120051985
Greenbush120241993
Backus119931979

Yellow Rail Population Trend in Other States

michigannorth-dakotaoregonwisconsin

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