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Species · South Carolina · BBS 2026 Release · 1966–2025

Eastern Bluebird Population Trend in South Carolina

All statesForest birds

Eastern Bluebird in South Carolina has risen sharply: up 70% on the route-weighted index since 1968.

+70%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 →
51Routes 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 →
59YearsYears surveyedNumber of years with at least one standard-protocol run in this geography. A longer record makes the trend more reliable.Full methodology →

Notable Eastern Bluebird Trends in South CarolinaNotable 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 →

Eastern Bluebird has risen sharply in South Carolina: up 70% on the route-weighted index since 1968.

Eastern Bluebird Population Forecast in South Carolina

If the recent trend holds, Eastern Bluebird in South Carolina is projected to rise about 56% by 2030 — from 7.5 in 2025 to a central estimate of 12 (95% range 6.1–17). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±30.2%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

+56%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 →
12Projected 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 →
6.1–1795% 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 →
±30.2%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, Eastern Bluebird in South Carolina is projected to rise about 56% by 2030 — from 7.5 in 2025 to a central estimate of 12 (95% range 6.1–17). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±30.2%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.19662030
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 →
2026115.717
2027115.817
2028125.917
2029126.017
2030126.117

Eastern Bluebird Survey Routes in South Carolina

Routes recording Eastern Bluebird in South Carolina.
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 →
Salem Xrd6720191982
Blacksburg3620131998
Pinewood3320191998
Coward3120251966
Barton Creek2920221967
Campobello2520252010
Prosperity2420241992
Anderson2320181977
Chesnee2120151992
Little Mtn1619881966
Landrum1619921972
Owings1520041992
Dillon1320211976
Boiling Spgs1319791967
Holly Hill1220251980
New Holland1220251967
Red Bluff1220251996
Greenwood1120251998
Olar1120191998
Pendleton1019761966
Ward1020252017
Rome820251967
Battlecreek820251999
Boykin Ml Pd719681966
Plum Branch720251977

Eastern Bluebird Population Trend in Other States

alabamaarizonaarkansascoloradoconnecticutdelawarefloridageorgiaillinoisindianaiowakansaskentuckylouisianamainemarylandmassachusettsmichiganminnesotamississippimissourimontananebraskanew-hampshirenew-jerseynew-mexiconew-yorknorth-carolinanorth-dakotaohiooklahomapennsylvaniarhode-islandsouth-dakotatennesseetexasvermontvirginiawest-virginiawisconsinwyoming

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