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

House Finch Population Trend in Massachusetts

All statesGeneralists

House Finch in Massachusetts has surged: up 13× on the route-weighted index since 1975.

13×Since 1975TrendPercent 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 →
31Routes 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 →
52YearsYears 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 MassachusettsNotable 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 Massachusetts: up 13× on the route-weighted index since 1975.

House Finch Population Forecast in Massachusetts

If the recent trend holds, House Finch in Massachusetts is projected to fall about 13% by 2030 — from 8.1 in 2025 to a central estimate of 7.0 (95% range 0.00–23). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±13.3%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

-13%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 →
7.0Projected 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 →
0.00–2395% 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 →
±13.3%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 Massachusetts is projected to fall about 13% by 2030 — from 8.1 in 2025 to a central estimate of 7.0 (95% range 0.00–23). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±13.3%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.19682030
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 →
20267.40.0024
20277.30.0023
20287.20.0023
20297.10.0023
20307.00.0023

House Finch Survey Routes in Massachusetts

Routes recording House Finch in Massachusetts.
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 →
Cheshire7619941980
E Pepperell4319941981
Brockton2920191973
Chilmark2419831975
Wellfleet2320071975
Maynard2120251988
Newburyport2020221976
Mansfield1920251968
Pittsfield1420161987
N. Andover1420251995
Littleton1220251988
Warren 21120252010
Cape Cod Ns1020071989
Warren820091977
Gay Head820251996
Marion720251977
Wellfleet 2720252016
Prattville620181977
N Oxford620251979
S Barre620251978
Holden620251980
N Orange520251982
Belchertown420251978
E Dennis220211975
Chesterfield220251982

House Finch Population Trend in Other States

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

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