BirdAnalyst
Species · BCR 22 · BBS 2026 Release · 1966–2025

American Goldfinch In Eastern Tallgrass Prairie

All regionsEastern Tallgrass PrairieForest birds

American Goldfinch in Eastern Tallgrass Prairie has edged down: down 13% on the route-weighted index since 1968.

-13%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 →
278Routes 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 →
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 SignalsNotable signalsLong-arc shifts the engine flags automatically — sustained declines or increases large enough to stand out from year-to-year noise.Full methodology →

No notable trend signals for American Goldfinch in Eastern Tallgrass Prairie. See the full index history below.

American Goldfinch In Eastern Tallgrass Prairie Population Forecast

If the recent trend holds, American Goldfinch in Eastern Tallgrass Prairie is projected to rise about 23% by 2030 — from 8.7 in 2025 to a central estimate of 11 (95% range 7.3–14). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±34.1%, with 60% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

+23%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 →
11Projected 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 →
7.3–1495% 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 →
±34.1%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, American Goldfinch in Eastern Tallgrass Prairie is projected to rise about 23% by 2030 — from 8.7 in 2025 to a central estimate of 11 (95% range 7.3–14). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±34.1%, with 60% 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 →
2026117.214
2027117.214
2028117.214
2029117.314
2030117.314

Routes In Eastern Tallgrass Prairie

Routes recording American Goldfinch in Eastern Tallgrass Prairie.
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 →
WayneILLINOIS522025
HarveysburgOHIO491996
WilmingtonOHIO401996
Le RoyMINNESOTA362025
Witts StationINDIANA342025
MarionOHIO342023
KalidaOHIO332025
NewportOHIO311994
MelroseILLINOIS291999
CubaINDIANA292025
Ash RidgeOHIO292021
BelleviewILLINOIS272025
BrookvilleINDIANA262025
KentonOHIO262025
PlainfieldINDIANA251999
New LenoxILLINOIS242019
FairburyILLINOIS242025
BloomvilleOHIO242025
AshleyOHIO242018
Grape CreekILLINOIS232025
College SpgsIOWA232004
Trading PostKANSAS232025
ChandlervillILLINOIS222025
MurdockNEBRASKA222025
West ElktonOHIO222012

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