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Species · Maryland · BBS 2025 Release · 1966–2024

Boat-tailed Grackle Population Trend in Maryland

All statesGeneralists

Boat-tailed Grackle in Maryland has fallen sharply: down 65% on the route-weighted index since 1969.

-65%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 →
4Routes 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 →
48YearsYears surveyedNumber of years with at least one standard-protocol run in this geography. A longer record makes the trend more reliable.Full methodology →

Notable Boat-tailed Grackle Trends in MarylandNotable 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 →

Boat-tailed Grackle has fallen sharply in Maryland: down 65% on the route-weighted index since 1969.

Boat-tailed Grackle Population Forecast in Maryland

If the recent trend holds, Boat-tailed Grackle in Maryland is projected to stay roughly flat through 2024, near 0.07 (95% range 0.00–0.29). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±244.4%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

n/aChange by 2024TrendPercent 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 →
0.07Projected 2024 indexProjected indexThe central forecast of the abundance index if the recent trend continues. A projection of the current trajectory, not a prediction.Full methodology →
0.00–0.2995% 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 →
±244.4%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, Boat-tailed Grackle in Maryland is projected to stay roughly flat through 2024, near 0.07 (95% range 0.00–0.29). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±244.4%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.19672024
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 →
20200.070.000.30
20210.070.000.30
20220.070.000.29
20230.070.000.29
20240.070.000.29

Boat-tailed Grackle Survey Routes in Maryland

Routes recording Boat-tailed Grackle in Maryland.
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 →
Golden Hill2920082002
Honga220181973
Madison120191967
Sinepuxent119751975

Boat-tailed Grackle Population Trend in Other States

alabamadelawarefloridageorgialouisianamississippinew-jerseynew-yorknorth-carolinasouth-carolinatexasvirginia

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