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

Blue Jay Population Trend in Massachusetts

All statesGeneralists

Blue Jay in Massachusetts has fallen sharply: down 62% on the route-weighted index since 1968.

-62%Since 1968
32Routes In State
58Years

Notable Blue Jay Trends in Massachusetts

long arc declinecomputed index

Blue Jay has fallen sharply in Massachusetts: down 62% on the route-weighted index since 1968.

Blue Jay Population Forecast in Massachusetts

If the recent trend holds, Blue Jay in Massachusetts is projected to fall about 39% by 2029 — from 12 in 2024 to a central estimate of 7.2 (95% range 0.60–14). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±39.8%, with 60% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

-39%Change by 2029
7.2Projected 2029 index
0.60–1495% range
±39.8%Backtest error
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 index95% low95% high
20258.72.115
20268.31.715
20277.91.315
20287.60.9814
20297.20.6014

Blue Jay Survey Routes in Massachusetts

Routes recording Blue Jay in Massachusetts.
E Pepperell3319941966
Belchertown2420241967
Princeton2219761969
Ware River2220221993
Chilmark2019831969
Mansfield2020241968
E Dennis1820211967
S Barre1820241968
Holden1720241977
Wellfleet 21620242016
Brockton1520191967
Prattville1420191966
Chesterfield1420241967
Maynard1320221967
Pittsfield1320161967
Gay Head1320241996
N Oxford1220241968
Wellfleet1020071966
Newburyport1020221967
N Orange1020241968
Hancock1020151997
Warren920091968
Monterey920242019
Cummington820141968
Cheshire719941969

Blue Jay Population Trend in Other States

alabamaarkansascoloradoconnecticutdelawarefloridageorgiaillinoisindianaiowakansaskentuckylouisianamainemarylandmichiganminnesotamississippimissourimontananebraskanew-hampshirenew-jerseynew-mexiconew-yorknorth-carolinanorth-dakotaohiooklahomapennsylvaniarhode-islandsouth-carolinasouth-dakotatennesseetexasvermontvirginiawest-virginiawisconsinwyoming

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