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

European Starling Population Trend in Illinois

All statesGeneralists

European Starling in Illinois has declined: down 43% on the route-weighted index since 1968.

-43%Since 1968
105Routes In State
58Years

Notable European Starling Trends in Illinois

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

European Starling Population Forecast in Illinois

If the recent trend holds, European Starling in Illinois is projected to stay roughly flat through 2029, near 70 (95% range 42–98). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±32.4%, with 80% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

+6%Change by 2029
70Projected 2029 index
42–9895% range
±32.4%Backtest error
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 index95% low95% high
20257345101
20267244101
20277244100
2028714399
2029704298

European Starling Survey Routes in Illinois

Routes recording European Starling in Illinois.
Wayne34520241966
Jamestown20520241966
Fairbury17520241976
Caledonia17220241993
Mt Vernon17020241971
Chandlervill16520241971
Atkinson16020241966
St Morgan13820221967
Pontiac13320241978
Janesville12020241972
Beaucoup11820241971
Cherry Val11420031972
York11220241993
Gulfport10720241971
Monticello10620241976
Birds10420241976
Marshall10320242001
Gridley8920242001
Allerton Park8720242001
Fairland8520241967
Concord8320241967
Itasca8220241966
Humphrey8220241972
Duncan Mills8220241993
Dudleyville8020242001

European Starling Population Trend in Other States

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

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