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Species · Alabama · BBS 2025 Release · 1966–2024

Eastern Whip-poor-will Population Trend in Alabama

All statesAerial insectivores

Eastern Whip-poor-will in Alabama has fallen sharply: down 67% on the route-weighted index since 1968.

-67%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 →
30Routes 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 →
55YearsYears 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 Whip-poor-will Trends in AlabamaNotable 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 declinecomputed 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 Whip-poor-will has fallen sharply in Alabama: down 67% on the route-weighted index since 1968.

Eastern Whip-poor-will Population Forecast in Alabama

If the recent trend holds, Eastern Whip-poor-will in Alabama is projected to stay roughly flat through 2029, near 0.04 (95% range 0.00–0.14). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±21%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

n/aChange 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 →
0.04Projected 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 →
0.00–0.1495% 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 →
±21%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 Whip-poor-will in Alabama is projected to stay roughly flat through 2029, near 0.04 (95% range 0.00–0.14). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±21%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.19662029
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 →
20250.040.000.15
20260.040.000.14
20270.040.000.14
20280.040.000.14
20290.040.000.14

Eastern Whip-poor-will Survey Routes in Alabama

Routes recording Eastern Whip-poor-will in Alabama.
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 →
Pine Grove220211967
Greensport220241966
Howard219901990
Liberty220101991
Mentone220031994
Odenville220111996
St Florian119681967
Trade119821967
Summitt119741968
Dawson119691966
Millerville119691966
Sunny Eve120171988
Smyer Lake119851966
Harrell120212021
Borden Springs 2120182001
Whitehouse120161982
Guntersville119961996
Drummond120072007
Holt120132007
Borden Sprng119981995
Nixburg119981998
Madrid119971997
Woodville120172015
Vina120211997
Vernon120082008

Eastern Whip-poor-will Population Trend in Other States

arkansasconnecticutdelawaregeorgiaillinoisindianaiowakansaskentuckymainemarylandmassachusettsmichiganminnesotamississippimissourinebraskanew-hampshirenew-jerseynew-yorknorth-carolinanorth-dakotaohiooklahomapennsylvaniarhode-islandsouth-carolinasouth-dakotatennesseetexasvermontvirginiawest-virginiawisconsin

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