BirdAnalyst
Species · West Virginia · BBS 2025 Release · 1966–2024

Common Raven Population Trend in West Virginia

All statesGeneralists

Common Raven in West Virginia has surged: up 18× on the route-weighted index since 1973.

18×Since 1973TrendPercent 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 →
53Routes 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 →
53YearsYears 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 West VirginiaNotable 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 West Virginia: up 18× on the route-weighted index since 1973.

Common Raven Population Forecast in West Virginia

If the recent trend holds, Common Raven in West Virginia is projected to rise about 45% by 2029 — from 1.7 in 2024 to a central estimate of 2.4 (95% range 1.7–3.2). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±19%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

+45%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 →
2.4Projected 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 →
1.7–3.295% 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 →
±19%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 West Virginia is projected to rise about 45% by 2029 — from 1.7 in 2024 to a central estimate of 2.4 (95% range 1.7–3.2). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±19%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.19692029
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 →
20252.31.53.0
20262.31.53.1
20272.31.63.1
20282.41.63.2
20292.41.73.2

Common Raven Survey Routes in West Virginia

Routes recording Common Raven in West Virginia.
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 →
Hix1120241986
Rio1119941975
Wymer1020151995
Glade Run820021988
Sugar Grove820241984
Shanghai720221995
Mo Of Seneca620231969
Yellow Spg620231972
Bemis520242001
Three Forks520171985
Smoot420242006
Valley Head420231978
Cedarville420231995
Strange Crk420241994
Richwood420241983
Welch320231992
Meadland320232009
Green Bank320241977
Dailey320241974
Moundsville320242014
Smithfield320212017
Martinsburg320241977
Glade Run 2320242003
Glady320232001
Stollings220212003

Common Raven Population Trend in Other States

alaskaarizonacaliforniacoloradoconnecticutgeorgiaidahokentuckymainemarylandmassachusettsmichiganminnesotamontananebraskanevadanew-hampshirenew-jerseynew-mexiconew-yorknorth-carolinanorth-dakotaohiooklahomaoregonpennsylvaniarhode-islandsouth-carolinatennesseetexasutahvermontvirginiawashingtonwisconsinwyoming

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