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

European Starling Population Trend in Maine

All statesGeneralists

European Starling in Maine has collapsed: down 87% on the route-weighted index since 1968.

-87%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 →
68Routes 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 →
58YearsYears 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 MaineNotable 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 →

European Starling has collapsed in Maine: down 87% on the route-weighted index since 1968.

European Starling Population Forecast in Maine

If the recent trend holds, European Starling in Maine is projected to fall about 100% by 2029 — from 9.3 in 2024 to a central estimate of 0.00 (95% range 0.00–31). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±176.3%, with 80% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

-100%Change 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 →
0.00Projected 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 →
0.00–3195% 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 →
±176.3%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 Maine is projected to fall about 100% by 2029 — from 9.3 in 2024 to a central estimate of 0.00 (95% range 0.00–31). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±176.3%, with 80% 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 →
20250.000.0031
20260.000.0031
20270.000.0031
20280.000.0031
20290.000.0031

European Starling Survey Routes in Maine

Routes recording European Starling in Maine.
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 →
Boundary7620161993
Grnd Lk Strm6020001966
Washburn5620051979
Cornville5420242012
Benton5219801971
Warren4819901973
Ft Fairfield4020051993
Freedom3920221973
Ludlow3219981968
Church Hill3020171991
Moose River2920081983
Harmony2720241967
St David2720051982
Forest Sta2620001966
Hermon2420191966
Biddeford2220191973
East Troy2120191972
Kittery Pt1920241966
Castine1920061976
Waite1819771977
Jefferson1720101991
Hartford1520241975
Manchester1519951971
Ashland1520081980
Seboomook Lk1420141972

European Starling Population Trend in Other States

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

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