BirdAnalyst
Species · West Virginia · BBS 2025 Release · 1966–2024

American Goldfinch Population Trend in West Virginia

All statesGeneralists

American Goldfinch in West Virginia has declined: down 47% on the route-weighted index since 1968.

-47%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 →
63Routes 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 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 stay roughly flat through 2029, near 11 (95% range 5.0–18). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±7.8%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

-2%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 →
11Projected 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 →
5.0–1895% 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 →
±7.8%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 stay roughly flat through 2029, near 11 (95% range 5.0–18). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±7.8%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.19662029
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 →
2025125.218
2026115.118
2027115.118
2028115.018
2029115.018

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 →
Stollings3820211986
Pt Pleasant3020231973
Martinsburg3020241966
Hix2820241970
Yellow Spg2420231972
Smoot2320241980
Denmar2220241980
Sugar Grove2220241966
Clendenin2020241979
Rio2019951974
Hanover1920241980
Rockport1720241966
Pedro1620241979
Clinton1620241966
Ruthbelle1620241975
Bismark1620231976
Clear Creek1520241988
Sutton1520241976
Mt Storm1519751966
Bebee1420241972
Hubbardstown1320231966
Josephs Mill1320241993
Shanghai1320221995
Cedarville1220231982
Moundsville1220241972

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 2026-05-22.