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

Chipping Sparrow Population Trend in California

All statesGeneralists

Chipping Sparrow in California has fallen sharply: down 57% on the route-weighted index since 1970.

-57%Since 1970
177Routes In State
56Years

Notable Chipping Sparrow Trends in California

long arc declinecomputed index

Chipping Sparrow has fallen sharply in California: down 57% on the route-weighted index since 1970.

Chipping Sparrow Population Forecast in California

If the recent trend holds, Chipping Sparrow in California is projected to rise about 38% by 2029 — from 1.7 in 2024 to a central estimate of 2.3 (95% range 0.86–3.7). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±38%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

+38%Change by 2029
2.3Projected 2029 index
0.86–3.795% range
±38%Backtest error
19682029
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
20252.40.993.9
20262.40.963.8
20272.40.933.8
20282.30.893.8
20292.30.863.7

Chipping Sparrow Survey Routes in California

Routes recording Chipping Sparrow in California.
Santa Cruz I5719881988
Goumaz4620111997
Macdoel3220191972
Eagle Lake2820241969
S Catalina2620221988
Chester2520171997
Last Chance2220191993
Alderpoint2020121974
Crowder Flat1920192002
Hackamore1620102000
Martins Fy1520091976
Mccloud1420211973
Little Truckee1420231997
Chilcoot1320241998
Pollock Pines1220241997
Higgins Corn1120241973
Pine Mountain1120171997
White River1019921972
Tahoe Nf1019941987
Medicine Mtn.1020212000
Ingalls920001973
Tionesta920211997
Carrville819701970
Cottage Spgs819751968
Big Bear819861969

Chipping Sparrow Population Trend in Other States

alabamaalaskaarizonaarkansascoloradoconnecticutdelawarefloridageorgiaidahoillinoisindianaiowakansaskentuckylouisianamainemarylandmassachusettsmichiganminnesotamississippimissourimontananebraskanevadanew-hampshirenew-jerseynew-mexiconew-yorknorth-carolinanorth-dakotaohiooklahomaoregonpennsylvaniarhode-islandsouth-carolinasouth-dakotatennesseetexasutahvermontvirginiawashingtonwest-virginiawisconsinwyoming

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