BirdAnalyst
Species · West Virginia · BBS 2026 Release · 1966–2025

American Goldfinch Population Trend in West Virginia

All statesForest birds

American Goldfinch in West Virginia has declined: down 41% on the route-weighted index since 1968.

-41%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 →
64Routes 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 West VirginiaNotable 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 West Virginia. See the full index history below.

American Goldfinch Population Forecast in West Virginia

If the recent trend holds, American Goldfinch in West Virginia is projected to fall about 25% by 2030 — from 15 in 2025 to a central estimate of 12 (95% range 5.2–18). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±8.8%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

-25%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 →
12Projected 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 →
5.2–1895% 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 →
±8.8%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 West Virginia is projected to fall about 25% by 2030 — from 15 in 2025 to a central estimate of 12 (95% range 5.2–18). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±8.8%, 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 →
2026125.418
2027125.318
2028125.318
2029125.218
2030125.218

American Goldfinch Survey Routes in West Virginia

Routes recording American Goldfinch in West Virginia.
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 →
Lost River4320251996
Martinsburg4120251966
Pt Pleasant4020251973
Stollings3820211986
Smoot3420251980
Hanover3420251980
Welch3120251980
Pedro3020251979
Yellow Spg2420231972
Valley Head2120251966
Meadowville2120251972
Clinton2120251966
Bismark2120251976
Rio2019951974
Clear Creek1820251988
Nicut1820251986
Ringgold1820252025
Hix1620251970
Ghent1620251978
Denmar1620251980
Moundsville1620251972
Mt Storm1519751966
Ruthbelle1520251975
Hubbardstown1420251966
Josephs Mill1320241993

American Goldfinch Population Trend in Other States

alabamaarkansascaliforniacoloradoconnecticutdelawaregeorgiaidahoillinoisindianaiowakansaskentuckylouisianamainemarylandmassachusettsmichiganminnesotamississippimissourimontananebraskanevadanew-hampshirenew-jerseynew-mexiconew-yorknorth-carolinanorth-dakotaohiooklahomaoregonpennsylvaniarhode-islandsouth-carolinasouth-dakotatennesseetexasutahvermontvirginiawashingtonwisconsinwyoming

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