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

American Goldfinch Population Trend in Montana

All statesForest birds

American Goldfinch in Montana has increased: up 46% on the route-weighted index since 1970.

+46%Since 1970TrendPercent 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 →
99Routes 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 →
57YearsYears 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 MontanaNotable 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 Montana. See the full index history below.

American Goldfinch Population Forecast in Montana

If the recent trend holds, American Goldfinch in Montana is projected to stay roughly flat through 2030, near 2.0 (95% range 0.85–3.2). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±14.4%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

+1%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 →
2.0Projected 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 →
0.85–3.295% 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 →
±14.4%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 Montana is projected to stay roughly flat through 2030, near 2.0 (95% range 0.85–3.2). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±14.4%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.19682030
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 →
20262.00.863.2
20272.00.863.2
20282.00.853.2
20292.00.853.2
20302.00.853.2

American Goldfinch Survey Routes in Montana

Routes recording American Goldfinch in Montana.
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 →
Clinton1819731972
Muddy Creek1420152015
Highwood1320251968
St Xavier 21320232017
Glasgow1120251969
Reed Point1120251977
Heart Butte1120252015
Chuffey Spring1120252018
Harlem1020211980
Redstone1020251968
Wolf Creek1020222015
Augusta920251976
Westby920232015
Twin Bridges819741968
Willow Creek 2820251983
East Glacier Park820252015
Church Hill720252018
Flatwillow620081971
Savage520251968
St Xavier520111980
Brandenberg520251968
Powderville520251969
Maynard Coulee520232018
Clyde Park520252018
Greenough520032000

American Goldfinch Population Trend in Other States

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

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