BirdAnalyst
Species · Delaware · BBS 2026 Release · 1966–2025

European Starling Population Trend in Delaware

All statesGeneralists

European Starling in Delaware has increased: up 26% on the route-weighted index since 1968.

+26%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 →
17Routes 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 European Starling Trends in DelawareNotable signalsLong-arc shifts the engine flags automatically — sustained declines or increases large enough to stand out from year-to-year noise.Full methodology →

No notable trend signals for European Starling in Delaware. See the full index history below.

European Starling Population Forecast in Delaware

If the recent trend holds, European Starling in Delaware is projected to fall about 13% by 2030 — from 140 in 2025 to a central estimate of 121 (95% range 70–173). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±21.3%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

-13%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 →
121Projected 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 →
70–17395% 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 →
±21.3%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, European Starling in Delaware is projected to fall about 13% by 2030 — from 140 in 2025 to a central estimate of 121 (95% range 70–173). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±21.3%, 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 →
202612270174
202712270174
202812270174
202912270173
203012170173

European Starling Survey Routes in Delaware

Routes recording European Starling in Delaware.
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 →
Milton 229920252017
Holleyville 224820242006
Frankford23620121966
Frederica21120251966
Wilmington16720141966
Milton15420161966
Holleyville12320041966
Lowes Xrds11219911966
Georgetown9720221992
Pepperbox8820161998
Pepperbox 28620252017
Blackbird8520251994
Dover8419871966
Harrington8120251966
Millsboro7820252017
Mt Pleasant3520191966
Bethany Bch3519901966

European Starling Population Trend in Other States

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

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