BirdAnalyst
Species · Georgia · BBS 2026 Release · 1966–2025

American Goldfinch Population Trend in Georgia

All statesForest birds

American Goldfinch in Georgia has surged: up 157% on the route-weighted index since 1968.

+157%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 →
81Routes In StateSurvey 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 American Goldfinch Trends in GeorgiaNotable 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 →

American Goldfinch has surged in Georgia: up 157% on the route-weighted index since 1968.

American Goldfinch Population Forecast in Georgia

If the recent trend holds, American Goldfinch in Georgia is projected to rise about 18% by 2030 — from 2.4 in 2025 to a central estimate of 2.9 (95% range 2.0–3.7). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±26.3%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

+18%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 →
2.9Projected 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 →
2.0–3.795% 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 →
±26.3%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 Georgia is projected to rise about 18% by 2030 — from 2.4 in 2025 to a central estimate of 2.9 (95% range 2.0–3.7). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±26.3%, with 100% 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 →
20262.71.93.5
20272.71.93.6
20282.82.03.6
20292.82.03.6
20302.92.03.7

American Goldfinch Survey Routes in Georgia

Routes recording American Goldfinch in Georgia.
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 →
Athens2120251966
Candler2020252009
Hiram1120181977
Baxter1020221975
Mountain Cty1020251975
Washington820251975
Pleasant Hill820252005
Amos Mill820222011
Whitesburg720251992
Hollonville620031980
Baldwin620241967
Holly Sprs619991978
Rutledge620251975
Lincolnton 2620252018
Carrs Station620252008
Sharon620222018
Good Hope620252005
Stoney Point620072007
Rock Branch620252005
Davis Crossroads620252011
Piedmont Nwr620031993
Cuthbert520251967
Wrightsville520252013
Bowdon520251973
Ball Ground520252019

American Goldfinch Population Trend in Other States

alabamaarkansascaliforniacoloradoconnecticutdelawareidahoillinoisindianaiowakansaskentuckylouisianamainemarylandmassachusettsmichiganminnesotamississippimissourimontananebraskanevadanew-hampshirenew-jerseynew-mexiconew-yorknorth-carolinanorth-dakotaohiooklahomaoregonpennsylvaniarhode-islandsouth-carolinasouth-dakotatennesseetexasutahvermontvirginiawashingtonwest-virginiawisconsinwyoming

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