BirdAnalyst
Species · BBS 2025 Release · 1966–2024

Boreal Chickadee

ParidaeForest birdsPoecile hudsonicus

Boreal Chickadee has surged: up 241% on the route-weighted index since 1968.

+241%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 →
156RoutesSurvey routesHow many standard-protocol BBS routes contributed counts. More routes means a steadier, better-sampled index; very thin coverage is suppressed.Full methodology →
57Years SurveyedYears surveyedNumber of years with at least one standard-protocol run in this geography. A longer record makes the trend more reliable.Full methodology →

About the Boreal Chickadee

The Boreal Chickadee (Poecile hudsonicus) is a North American member of the Chickadees & Titmice (Paridae). In this analysis it is grouped with the forest birds.

Size
4.5–6 in long (11–15 cm) — a tiny, active songbird (typical for the family)
Habitat
Woodlands and forest edges, including wooded suburbs and parks.
Diet
Insects and spiders gleaned from foliage and bark, with seeds and berries in season.
Range
Recorded on 156 Breeding Bird Survey routes across 9 states, most concentrated in the BCR 4.
Family
Paridae · Forest birds

Notable Boreal Chickadee TrendsNotable 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 Boreal Chickadee. See the full index history below.

Boreal Chickadee Population Forecast

If the recent trend holds, Boreal Chickadee is projected to stay roughly flat through 2029, near 0.05 (95% range 0.03–0.06). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±33.2%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

n/aChange 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 →
0.05Projected 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 →
0.03–0.0695% 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 →
±33.2%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, Boreal Chickadee is projected to stay roughly flat through 2029, near 0.05 (95% range 0.03–0.06). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±33.2%, 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 →
20250.040.030.06
20260.040.030.06
20270.040.030.06
20280.050.030.06
20290.050.030.06

Where the Boreal Chickadee Is Detected

BBS routes recording Boreal Chickadee, sized by most recent count.

Boreal Chickadee Population Trend by State

Boreal Chickadee population trend by state.
TrendPercent 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 →Baseline yearThe first year of the smoothed window the trend is measured from. An earlier baseline means a longer record stands behind the number.Full methodology →Survey routesHow many standard-protocol BBS routes contributed counts. More routes means a steadier, better-sampled index; very thin coverage is suppressed.Full methodology →
Alaska+113%197874
Maine-90%197636
Michigan-74%197512
Minnesota-31%198110
Montanainsufficient datan/a3
New Hampshire-81%19686
New York+115%19787
Vermontinsufficient datan/a3
Wisconsin-44%19735

Boreal Chickadee Population Trend by Region

Bird Conservation Regions are the ecological unit for trends.

Boreal Chickadee population trend by Bird Conservation Region.
TrendPercent 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 →Baseline yearThe first year of the smoothed window the trend is measured from. An earlier baseline means a longer record stands behind the number.Full methodology →Survey routesHow many standard-protocol BBS routes contributed counts. More routes means a steadier, better-sampled index; very thin coverage is suppressed.Full methodology →
BCR 2+23%19955
BCR 4+137%197861
Northern Pacific Rainforest-30%19917
Boreal Hardwood Transition-72%197327
Atlantic Northern Forest-90%196852

Boreal Chickadee Conservation Status

Our route-weighted index shows it up about 241% since 1968.

Source: USGS North American Breeding Bird Survey, retrieved 2026-05-22. Trend is a route-weighted relative-abundance index, not an absolute population.