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

Common Raven Population Trend in Massachusetts

All statesGeneralists

Common Raven in Massachusetts has surged: up 678% on the route-weighted index since 1985.

+678%Since 1985TrendPercent 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 →
20Routes 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 →
38YearsYears surveyedNumber of years with at least one standard-protocol run in this geography. A longer record makes the trend more reliable.Full methodology →

Notable Common Raven Trends in MassachusettsNotable 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 →

Common Raven has surged in Massachusetts: up 678% on the route-weighted index since 1985.

Common Raven Population Forecast in Massachusetts

If the recent trend holds, Common Raven in Massachusetts is projected to fall about 26% by 2029 — from 1.9 in 2024 to a central estimate of 1.4 (95% range 0.41–2.4). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±59.3%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

-26%Change 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 →
1.4Projected 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 →
0.41–2.495% 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 →
±59.3%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, Common Raven in Massachusetts is projected to fall about 26% by 2029 — from 1.9 in 2024 to a central estimate of 1.4 (95% range 0.41–2.4). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±59.3%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.19822029
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 →
20251.30.292.2
20261.30.332.3
20271.30.352.3
20281.40.392.3
20291.40.412.4

Common Raven Survey Routes in Massachusetts

Routes recording Common Raven in Massachusetts.
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 →
Chesterfield1220241991
Cummington 2620242015
Cummington420131984
Mansfield320182011
Cheshire319941989
Prattville220152015
Littleton220242005
Belchertown220242000
S Barre220212021
N Orange220241982
Pittsfield220161985
Sheffield220221991
Monterey220242019
N. Andover220182018
Ware River120221994
Maynard120182018
N Oxford120222022
Holden120242003
Warren 2120242022
Hancock120151997

Common Raven Population Trend in Other States

alaskaarizonacaliforniacoloradoconnecticutgeorgiaidahokentuckymainemarylandmichiganminnesotamontananebraskanevadanew-hampshirenew-jerseynew-mexiconew-yorknorth-carolinanorth-dakotaohiooklahomaoregonpennsylvaniarhode-islandsouth-carolinatennesseetexasutahvermontvirginiawashingtonwest-virginiawisconsinwyoming

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