BirdAnalyst
Species · BCR 35 · BBS 2026 Release · 1966–2025

Gray Flycatcher In Chihuahuan Desert

All regionsChihuahuan DesertAerial insectivores

Gray Flycatcher in Chihuahuan Desert has fallen sharply: down 68% on the route-weighted index since 1980.

-68%Since 1980TrendPercent 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 →
7Routes In RegionSurvey routesHow many standard-protocol BBS routes contributed counts. More routes means a steadier, better-sampled index; very thin coverage is suppressed.Full methodology →
34YearsYears surveyedNumber of years with at least one standard-protocol run in this geography. A longer record makes the trend more reliable.Full methodology →

Notable SignalsNotable 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 declinecomputed 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 →

Gray Flycatcher has fallen sharply in Chihuahuan Desert: down 68% on the route-weighted index since 1980.

Gray Flycatcher In Chihuahuan Desert Population Forecast

If the recent trend holds, Gray Flycatcher in Chihuahuan Desert is projected to stay roughly flat through 2030, near 0.20 (95% range 0.00–0.41). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±408.4%, with 40% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

n/aChange 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 →
0.20Projected 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 →
0.00–0.4195% 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 →
±408.4%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, Gray Flycatcher in Chihuahuan Desert is projected to stay roughly flat through 2030, near 0.20 (95% range 0.00–0.41). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±408.4%, with 40% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.19772030
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 →
20260.190.000.40
20270.200.000.41
20280.200.000.41
20290.200.000.41
20300.200.000.41

Routes In Chihuahuan Desert

Routes recording Gray Flycatcher in Chihuahuan Desert.
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 →
PinonNEW-MEXICO32024
Capitan Mtn.NEW-MEXICO22016
QueenNEW-MEXICO22021
CarrizozoNEW-MEXICO12023
CloudcroftNEW-MEXICO12017
Bear MtnTEXAS12016
ToyahvaleTEXAS12025

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