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

European Starling Population Trend in Nebraska

All statesGeneralists

European Starling in Nebraska has risen sharply: up 73% on the route-weighted index since 1969.

+73%Since 1969TrendPercent 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 →
75Routes 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 →
57YearsYears 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 NebraskaNotable 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 increasecomputed 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 risen sharply in Nebraska: up 73% on the route-weighted index since 1969.

European Starling Population Forecast in Nebraska

If the recent trend holds, European Starling in Nebraska is projected to stay roughly flat through 2029, near 26 (95% range 14–38). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±30.2%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

+1%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 →
26Projected 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 →
14–3895% 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 →
±30.2%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 Nebraska is projected to stay roughly flat through 2029, near 26 (95% range 14–38). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±30.2%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.19672029
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 →
2025251338
2026261338
2027261438
2028261438
2029261438

European Starling Survey Routes in Nebraska

Routes recording European Starling in Nebraska.
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 →
Liberty25720031967
Stratton16820241975
Arthur11020241985
Murray Lake10020241987
Eagle Creek8420241967
Wheeler Co8120241978
Kearney8020241968
Agate 26720242002
Winside 26720222005
Holbrook6320241970
Dalton5320241968
Sumner5120241967
Crescent Lk5020101981
Kenesaw4820241967
Chambers4820232023
Sparta4420211967
Richland3820241968
Tilden3720242019
Sutherland3620242023
Berwyn 23620212014
Liberty 22920072004
Petersburg2720231969
Hay Springs2220242018
Oglala Nat. Grass.2120231999
Belvidere2020241967

European Starling Population Trend in Other States

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

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