Species · Washington · BBS 2025 Release · 1966–2024

European Starling Population Trend in Washington

European Starling in Washington has risen sharply: up 52% on the route-weighted index since 1970.

+52%Since 1970
102Routes In State
56Years

Notable European Starling Trends in Washington

long arc increasecomputed index

European Starling has risen sharply in Washington: up 52% on the route-weighted index since 1970.

European Starling Population Forecast in Washington

If the recent trend holds, European Starling in Washington is projected to rise about 29% by 2029 — from 31 in 2024 to a central estimate of 40 (95% range 19–60). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±18.4%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

+29%Change by 2029
40Projected 2029 index
196095% range
±18.4%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
2025401960
2026401960
2027401960
2028401960
2029401960

European Starling Survey Routes in Washington

Routes recording European Starling in Washington.
South Elma43620241975
Wapato31620221971
Pomona26819991998
Harwood16819971993
Mendota15919881977
Columbia Nwr15320221992
Ewan15120191983
Selah14620232000
Mesa14220081994
Warm Beach13520171968
Chewelah13220211977
Pe Ell11020231993
Scootney Reservoir10220242009
Port Angeles10020241970
Mukilteo9020241993
Raymond8920211993
Mendota 28920001989
Malden8620241998
Hanford Site8619961988
Richland7820242006
Potholes7320231996
Moses Lake6920221973
Warm Beach 26720242018
Reardan6520241968
Camas6020181971

European Starling Population Trend in Other States

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