BirdAnalyst
Species · BCR 33 · BBS 2026 Release · 1966–2025

California Towhee In Sonoran and Mojave Deserts

All regionsSonoran and Mojave DesertsArid-land birds

California Towhee in Sonoran and Mojave Deserts has surged: up 76% on the route-weighted index since 1970.

+76%Since 1970TrendPercent 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 →
56YearsYears 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 increasecomputed 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 →

California Towhee has surged in Sonoran and Mojave Deserts: up 75% on the route-weighted index since 1970.

California Towhee In Sonoran and Mojave Deserts Population Forecast

If the recent trend holds, California Towhee in Sonoran and Mojave Deserts is projected to fall about 19% by 2030 — from 0.79 in 2025 to a central estimate of 0.64 (95% range 0.17–1.1). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±71.5%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

-19%Change 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 →
0.64Projected 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 →
0.17–1.195% 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 →
±71.5%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, California Towhee in Sonoran and Mojave Deserts is projected to fall about 19% by 2030 — from 0.79 in 2025 to a central estimate of 0.64 (95% range 0.17–1.1). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±71.5%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.19682030
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 →
20260.610.151.1
20270.620.151.1
20280.630.161.1
20290.630.171.1
20300.640.171.1

Routes In Sonoran and Mojave Deserts

Routes recording California Towhee in Sonoran and Mojave Deserts.
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 →
Kelso ValleyCALIFORNIA192025
Joshua TreeCALIFORNIA51997
OnyxCALIFORNIA22015
PearblossomCALIFORNIA22025
Anza BorregoCALIFORNIA12025

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