BirdAnalyst
Guild · Alaska · BBS 2025 Release · 1966–2024

Aerial Insectivores In Alaska

All statesAlaska

12 species in this guild. As a group they are -65%Guild trendA mean-index aggregate across the species in this group — the structural direction of the guild, with individual-species noise smoothed out.Full methodology → since 1972.

Guild SignalsNotable signalsLong-arc shifts the engine flags automatically — sustained declines or increases large enough to stand out from year-to-year noise.Full methodology →

guild collapsecomputed 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 →

Aerial insectivores as a group have fallen sharply in Alaska, down 65% since 1972.

Aerial Insectivores In Alaska Population Forecast

If the recent trend holds, Aerial insectivores in Alaska is projected to fall about 91% by 2029 — from 2.7 in 2024 to a central estimate of 0.24 (95% range 0.00–7.3). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±84%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

-91%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 →
0.24Projected 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 →
0.00–7.395% 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 →
±84%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, Aerial insectivores in Alaska is projected to fall about 91% by 2029 — from 2.7 in 2024 to a central estimate of 0.24 (95% range 0.00–7.3). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±84%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.19682029
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 →
20250.760.007.8
20260.630.007.7
20270.500.007.6
20280.370.007.4
20290.240.007.3

Member Species In Alaska

Aerial insectivores species in Alaska.
TrendPercent 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 →
Barn SwallowHirundinidae-99%
Say's PhoebeTyrannidae-99%
Cliff SwallowHirundinidae-84%
Bank SwallowHirundinidae-82%
Alder FlycatcherTyrannidae-27%
Least FlycatcherTyrannidae-23%
Western Wood-PeweeTyrannidae-9%
Violet-green SwallowHirundinidae+51%
Tree SwallowHirundinidae+90%
Olive-sided FlycatcherTyrannidae+107%
Hammond's FlycatcherTyrannidae+134%
Yellow-bellied FlycatcherTyrannidae15×

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