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

House Finch Population Trend in Iowa

All statesGeneralists

House Finch in Iowa has surged: up 291% on the route-weighted index since 1993.

+291%Since 1993TrendPercent 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 →
37Routes 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 →
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 House Finch Trends in IowaNotable 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 →

House Finch has surged in Iowa: up 291% on the route-weighted index since 1993.

House Finch Population Forecast in Iowa

If the recent trend holds, House Finch in Iowa is projected to rise about 14% by 2030 — from 2.3 in 2025 to a central estimate of 2.6 (95% range 0.73–4.6). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±21.9%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

+14%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 →
2.6Projected 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 →
0.73–4.695% 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 →
±21.9%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, House Finch in Iowa is projected to rise about 14% by 2030 — from 2.3 in 2025 to a central estimate of 2.6 (95% range 0.73–4.6). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±21.9%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.19912030
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 →
20262.50.634.5
20272.60.664.5
20282.60.684.5
20292.60.704.5
20302.60.734.6

House Finch Survey Routes in Iowa

Routes recording House Finch in Iowa.
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 →
Sioux City1220251993
Mccallsburg720251996
Panther520251992
Davis Corner520252005
West Liberty420251993
Cedar Valley419971995
Maquoketa420251993
Garner419931991
Mt Hamill320251995
Bryant320251991
Red Rock320251992
Washington320251992
Rock Valley320251993
Brooklyn220252007
Alice219951991
Prairieburg220251992
Hudson220251992
Clare220191996
Pierson220251996
Washta220251994
Festina220242005
Titonka220041996
Lafayette220252003
Exline120251995
Melrose120252002

House Finch Population Trend in Other States

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

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