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

European Starling Population Trend in Maryland

All statesGeneralists

European Starling in Maryland has declined: down 44% on the route-weighted index since 1968.

-44%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 →
76Routes 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 MarylandNotable 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 Maryland. See the full index history below.

European Starling Population Forecast in Maryland

If the recent trend holds, European Starling in Maryland is projected to fall about 11% by 2030 — from 61 in 2025 to a central estimate of 54 (95% range 36–72). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±10.1%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

-11%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 →
54Projected 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 →
36–7295% 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 →
±10.1%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 Maryland is projected to fall about 11% by 2030 — from 61 in 2025 to a central estimate of 54 (95% range 36–72). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±10.1%, 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 →
2026584076
2027573975
2028563874
2029553773
2030543672

European Starling Survey Routes in Maryland

Routes recording European Starling in Maryland.
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 →
Cokesbury28720251966
Largo25219811966
Emmitsburg24720251966
Walnut23720241999
Sinepuxent23319781966
Williamsport22520251966
Harmony20220171966
Ijamsville20220251986
Forest Grove18320232011
Snow Hill15119761966
Mardela14920191966
Jones13819941966
Fruitland11619981966
Smithsburg10920141966
Olney10820251966
Pt Republic10319891966
Randallstown9720131966
Cheltenham9620041966
Earlton9520242014
Madonna9520222009
Tall Timbers8820141966
Warfieldsbrg8420251966
Vienna8420251966
La Plata8220091966
Easton8120251966

European Starling Population Trend in Other States

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

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