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

House Finch Population Trend in Iowa

All statesGeneralists

House Finch in Iowa has surged: up 265% on the route-weighted index since 1993.

+265%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 →
33YearsYears 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 265% 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 fall about 19% by 2029 — from 3.3 in 2024 to a central estimate of 2.7 (95% range 0.71–4.6). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±28.1%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

-19%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 →
2.7Projected 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 →
0.71–4.695% 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 →
±28.1%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 fall about 19% by 2029 — from 3.3 in 2024 to a central estimate of 2.7 (95% range 0.71–4.6). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±28.1%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.19912029
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 →
20252.60.614.5
20262.60.634.5
20272.60.664.5
20282.60.684.6
20292.70.714.6

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 →
Brooklyn2920182007
Sioux City2220241993
Red Rock2020241992
Melrose620242002
Burchinal620232012
Hudson620211992
Maquoketa520231993
Prairieburg520241992
Bryant420241991
Cedar Valley419971995
Garner419931991
Washington320241992
Rock Valley320191993
Mt Hamill220241995
Panther220241992
Neola220151992
Wales220161993
Alice219951991
Clare220191996
Washta220141994
Festina220242005
Davis Corner220192005
Titonka220041996
Mccallsburg220241996
Exline120151995

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 2026-05-22.