BirdAnalyst
Species · Nebraska · BBS 2025 Release · 1966–2024

American Goldfinch Population Trend in Nebraska

All statesGeneralists

American Goldfinch in Nebraska has risen sharply: up 74% on the route-weighted index since 1969.

+74%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 →
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 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 74% 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 54% by 2029 — from 5.6 in 2024 to a central estimate of 8.6 (95% range 5.7–12). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±35%, with 80% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

+54%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 →
8.6Projected 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 →
5.7–1295% 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 →
±35%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 54% by 2029 — from 5.6 in 2024 to a central estimate of 8.6 (95% range 5.7–12). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±35%, with 80% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.19672029
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 →
20258.35.311
20268.45.411
20278.55.511
20288.65.612
20298.65.712

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 →
Midway3120231967
Crawford2620241980
Kimball2519781975
Pine Ridge2520241999
Chambers2120232023
Nenzel1920242018
Liberty1820031967
Winside1820031968
Tilden1720242019
Ponca1720242018
Sparta1420211967
Agate 21420242002
Winside 21420222005
Berwyn 21220212014
Wheeler Co1220241979
Humboldt1120242018
Hay Springs1020242018
Sumner820241969
Eagle Creek820241967
Bassett820242018
Hendley820232018
Kearney720241968
Gretna720181967
Almeria720211970
Oglala Nat. Grass.720221999

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 2026-05-22.