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Species · BCR 34 · BBS 2026 Release · 1966–2025

Blue-throated Mountain-gem In Sierra Madre Occidental

All regionsSierra Madre OccidentalForest birds

Blue-throated Mountain-gem in Sierra Madre Occidental has fallen sharply: down 53% on the route-weighted index since 1979.

-53%Since 1979TrendPercent 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 →
5Routes In RegionSurvey routesHow many standard-protocol BBS routes contributed counts. More routes means a steadier, better-sampled index; very thin coverage is suppressed.Full methodology →
31YearsYears surveyedNumber of years with at least one standard-protocol run in this geography. A longer record makes the trend more reliable.Full methodology →

Notable SignalsNotable 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 declinecomputed 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 →

Blue-throated Mountain-gem has fallen sharply in Sierra Madre Occidental: down 53% on the route-weighted index since 1979.

Blue-throated Mountain-gem In Sierra Madre Occidental Population Forecast

If the recent trend holds, Blue-throated Mountain-gem in Sierra Madre Occidental is projected to stay roughly flat through 2030, near 0.05 (95% range 0.00–0.24). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±52.6%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

n/aChange 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 →
0.05Projected 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 →
0.00–0.2495% 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 →
±52.6%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, Blue-throated Mountain-gem in Sierra Madre Occidental is projected to stay roughly flat through 2030, near 0.05 (95% range 0.00–0.24). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±52.6%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.19772030
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 →
20260.060.000.25
20270.060.000.25
20280.060.000.24
20290.060.000.24
20300.050.000.24

Routes In Sierra Madre Occidental

Routes recording Blue-throated Mountain-gem in Sierra Madre Occidental.
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 →
Peña BlancaARIZONA12001
McnealARIZONA11997
PortalARIZONA12025
Sunizona 2ARIZONA12015
RuckerARIZONA12008

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