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

European Starling Population Trend in Kentucky

All statesGeneralists

European Starling in Kentucky has held roughly steady: down 5% on the route-weighted index since 1968.

-5%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 →
63Routes 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 KentuckyNotable 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 Kentucky. See the full index history below.

European Starling Population Forecast in Kentucky

If the recent trend holds, European Starling in Kentucky is projected to stay roughly flat through 2030, near 89 (95% range 58–120). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±27.5%, with 80% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

-7%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 →
89Projected 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 →
58–12095% 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 →
±27.5%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 Kentucky is projected to stay roughly flat through 2030, near 89 (95% range 58–120). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±27.5%, with 80% 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 →
20268858119
20278958119
20288958120
20298958120
20308958120

European Starling Survey Routes in Kentucky

Routes recording European Starling in Kentucky.
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 →
Keysburg39620251968
Mckee30620251967
Plum20720251966
Iron Bridge17219981966
Million15019861966
Buena Vista14620171966
Goshen13719991966
Sewell Shop13720251966
Johnsonville13620211966
Eastview13220251967
Demunbruns11920211966
Hudson11620251966
Shelbyville11619781966
Glencoe11520221966
Pleasurevill11320251979
Dixie11120191967
Levee 210720192007
Boxville10519831966
Staffordsvil10319971996
Mcbrayer8720251966
Shiloh8520251967
Beattyville8220011966
Riverqueen8120252007
Drakesboro8120031966
Sunnybrook7920221968

European Starling Population Trend in Other States

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

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