BirdAnalyst
Species · South Carolina · BBS 2025 Release · 1966–2024

American Goldfinch Population Trend in South Carolina

All statesGeneralists

American Goldfinch in South Carolina has surged: up 22× on the route-weighted index since 1969.

22×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 →
37Routes 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 South CarolinaNotable 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 South Carolina: up 22× on the route-weighted index since 1969.

American Goldfinch Population Forecast in South Carolina

If the recent trend holds, American Goldfinch in South Carolina is projected to fall about 20% by 2029 — from 3.9 in 2024 to a central estimate of 3.1 (95% range 1.7–4.5). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±25.3%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

-20%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 →
3.1Projected 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 →
1.7–4.595% 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 →
±25.3%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 South Carolina is projected to fall about 20% by 2029 — from 3.9 in 2024 to a central estimate of 3.1 (95% range 1.7–4.5). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±25.3%, with 100% 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 →
20252.91.54.4
20263.01.64.4
20273.01.64.4
20283.11.64.5
20293.11.74.5

American Goldfinch Survey Routes in South Carolina

Routes recording American Goldfinch in South Carolina.
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 →
Whitmire1920242010
Plum Branch1420241978
Prosperity1320241992
Owings1120041992
Pinewood1120191998
Salem Xrd1020191982
Battlecreek920241999
Chesnee820151994
Owings 2720242005
Campobello620242011
Lowrys620212017
Salem620242010
Joanna620231999
Barton Creek520221970
Little Mtn419881977
Anderson420181977
Coward320182007
New Holland320241972
Wagener320241968
Ward320212017
Ridgeway320192012
Blacksburg320131998
Olar320191999
Cauthens Xrd320211982
Bishopville219881984

American Goldfinch Population Trend in Other States

alabamaarkansascaliforniacoloradoconnecticutdelawaregeorgiaidahoillinoisindianaiowakansaskentuckylouisianamainemarylandmassachusettsmichiganminnesotamississippimissourimontananebraskanevadanew-hampshirenew-jerseynew-mexiconew-yorknorth-carolinanorth-dakotaohiooklahomaoregonpennsylvaniarhode-islandsouth-dakotatennesseetexasutahvermontvirginiawashingtonwest-virginiawisconsinwyoming

Source: USGS North American Breeding Bird Survey, retrieved 2026-05-22.