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

European Starling Population Trend in Montana

All statesGeneralists

European Starling in Montana has surged: up 142% on the route-weighted index since 1970.

+142%Since 1970
104Routes In State
56Years

Notable European Starling Trends in Montana

long arc increasecomputed index

European Starling has surged in Montana: up 142% on the route-weighted index since 1970.

European Starling Population Forecast in Montana

If the recent trend holds, European Starling in Montana is projected to rise about 33% by 2029 — from 23 in 2024 to a central estimate of 31 (95% range 15–47). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±10.4%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

+33%Change by 2029
31Projected 2029 index
15–4795% range
±10.4%Backtest error
19682029
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
2025301447
2026311447
2027311547
2028311547
2029311547

European Starling Survey Routes in Montana

Routes recording European Starling in Montana.
Laurel21420221968
Clyde Park21020242018
Harlem20820211971
Pablo Res.14420241995
Philipsburg12920242015
Chinook11820242015
Kalispell10020241968
Two Dot10020241976
Church Hill9620242017
Winifred9220232023
Polson6820241972
Willow Creek 26720241982
Glen6620241977
Oswego6020091980
Augusta5720241976
Threemile Wa5520241993
Lambert5420242021
Willow Creek5319811972
Winifred 25220242024
Red Rock4820241973
Elliston4620241968
Beaverhead4420241973
Boulder4220241969
Flatwillow 24220232011
Twin Bridges4119761968

European Starling Population Trend in Other States

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

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