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

Generalists In Massachusetts

All statesMassachusetts

47 species in this guild. As a group they are -46%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 1968.

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 →

Generalists as a group have declined in Massachusetts, down 46% since 1968.

Generalists In Massachusetts Population Forecast

If the recent trend holds, Generalists in Massachusetts is projected to fall about 32% by 2029 — from 8.3 in 2024 to a central estimate of 5.6 (95% range 2.6–8.7). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±29.5%, with 80% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

-32%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 →
5.6Projected 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 →
2.6–8.795% 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 →
±29.5%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, Generalists in Massachusetts is projected to fall about 32% by 2029 — from 8.3 in 2024 to a central estimate of 5.6 (95% range 2.6–8.7). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±29.5%, with 80% 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 →
20256.03.09.1
20265.92.99.0
20275.82.88.9
20285.72.78.8
20295.62.68.7

Member Species In Massachusetts

Generalists species in Massachusetts.
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 →
White-throated SparrowPasserellidae-98%
Brown ThrasherMimidae-94%
Field SparrowPasserellidae-87%
Purple FinchFringillidae-84%
Eastern TowheePasserellidae-81%
American KestrelFalconidae-81%
European StarlingSturnidae-76%
Common GrackleIcteridae-75%
Blue JayCorvidae-62%
Baltimore OrioleIcteridae-60%
Rock PigeonColumbidae-57%
Ruffed GrousePhasianidae-56%
Belted KingfisherAlcedinidae-31%
House SparrowPasseridae-30%
Rose-breasted GrosbeakCardinalidae-28%
Red-winged BlackbirdIcteridae-27%
Evening GrosbeakFringillidae-17%
Song SparrowPasserellidae+5%
Scarlet TanagerCardinalidae+8%
American CrowCorvidae+22%
Brown-headed CowbirdIcteridae+30%
Sharp-shinned HawkAccipitridae+32%
Great Horned OwlStrigidae+32%
Gray CatbirdMimidae+59%
Indigo BuntingCardinalidae+85%
Swamp SparrowPasserellidae+87%
Orchard OrioleIcteridae+93%
Broad-winged HawkAccipitridae+99%
Black-billed CuckooCuculidae+107%
Cooper's HawkAccipitridae+107%
Chipping SparrowPasserellidae+109%
Barred OwlStrigidae+111%
Yellow-billed CuckooCuculidae+123%
Mourning DoveColumbidae+202%
Northern MockingbirdMimidae+230%
American GoldfinchFringillidae+233%
Cedar WaxwingBombycillidae+289%
Ruby-throated HummingbirdTrochilidae+371%
Red-shouldered HawkAccipitridae+388%
Turkey VultureCathartidae+530%
Common RavenCorvidae+678%
Fish CrowCorvidae+764%
OspreyPandionidae+986%
Red-tailed HawkAccipitridae+990%
House FinchFringillidae12×
Wild TurkeyPhasianidae34×
Northern CardinalCardinalidae60×

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