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

Field Sparrow Population Trend in Nebraska

All statesForest birds

Field Sparrow in Nebraska has surged: up 139% on the route-weighted index since 1969.

+139%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 →
62Routes 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 Field Sparrow 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 →

Field Sparrow has surged in Nebraska: up 139% on the route-weighted index since 1969.

Field Sparrow Population Forecast in Nebraska

If the recent trend holds, Field Sparrow in Nebraska is projected to rise about 66% by 2030 — from 4.1 in 2025 to a central estimate of 6.8 (95% range 4.1–9.5). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±73%, with 20% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

+66%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 →
6.8Projected 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 →
4.1–9.595% 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 →
±73%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, Field Sparrow in Nebraska is projected to rise about 66% by 2030 — from 4.1 in 2025 to a central estimate of 6.8 (95% range 4.1–9.5). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±73%, with 20% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.19672030
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 →
20266.53.89.2
20276.63.99.3
20286.74.09.3
20296.74.19.4
20306.84.19.5

Field Sparrow Survey Routes in Nebraska

Routes recording Field Sparrow 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 →
Brady6020251980
Winside3220031975
Ponca2320252018
Thurston1820251967
Winside 21520222005
Sparta1420251967
Piester Lake1320151968
Madison1220252018
Murdock1220252018
Almeria1120211969
Chambers1120252023
Hendley1120252018
Midway920251967
Tilden920252019
Johnson820251967
Humboldt720252018
Wheeler Co720251978
Bartlett619761967
Petersburg620251969
Johnstown520251980
Nenzel520252018
Berwyn520101993
Julian420231969
Maxwell420232018
Swan Lake320251969

Field Sparrow Population Trend in Other States

alabamaarkansascoloradoconnecticutdelawarefloridageorgiaillinoisindianaiowakansaskentuckylouisianamainemarylandmassachusettsmichiganminnesotamississippimissourimontananew-hampshirenew-jerseynew-yorknorth-carolinanorth-dakotaohiooklahomapennsylvaniarhode-islandsouth-carolinasouth-dakotatennesseetexasvermontvirginiawest-virginiawisconsinwyoming

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