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

American Goldfinch Population Trend in Nebraska

All statesForest birds

American Goldfinch in Nebraska has risen sharply: up 72% on the route-weighted index since 1969.

+72%Since 1969TrendPercent 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 →
74Routes 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 →
58YearsYears 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 NebraskaNotable 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 risen sharply in Nebraska: up 72% on the route-weighted index since 1969.

American Goldfinch Population Forecast in Nebraska

If the recent trend holds, American Goldfinch in Nebraska is projected to rise about 43% by 2030 — from 6.0 in 2025 to a central estimate of 8.6 (95% range 5.6–12). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±38.7%, with 60% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

+43%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 →
8.6Projected 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 →
5.6–1295% 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 →
±38.7%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 Nebraska is projected to rise about 43% by 2030 — from 6.0 in 2025 to a central estimate of 8.6 (95% range 5.6–12). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±38.7%, with 60% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.19672030
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 →
20268.25.211
20278.35.311
20288.45.411
20298.55.511
20308.65.612

American Goldfinch Survey Routes in Nebraska

Routes recording American Goldfinch in Nebraska.
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 →
Crawford2920251980
Kimball2519781975
Pine Ridge2420251999
Murdock2220252018
Midway2020251967
Berwyn 22020252014
Liberty1820031967
Winside1820031968
Tilden1620252019
Wheeler Co1620251979
Nenzel1520252018
Eagle Creek1420251967
Brady1420251980
Winside 21420222005
Agate 21220252002
Hay Springs1020242018
Ponca1020252018
Bartley920251969
Thurston920251967
Sumner820251969
Richland820251968
Sparta820251967
Madison820252018
Johnson720251967
Gretna720181967

American Goldfinch Population Trend in Other States

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

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