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

House Finch Population Trend in Massachusetts

All statesGeneralists

House Finch in Massachusetts has surged: up 12× on the route-weighted index since 1975.

12×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 →
51YearsYears 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 12× 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 rise about 17% by 2029 — from 6.1 in 2024 to a central estimate of 7.1 (95% range 0.00–23). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±19.7%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

+17%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 →
7.1Projected 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 →
0.00–2395% 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 →
±19.7%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 rise about 17% by 2029 — from 6.1 in 2024 to a central estimate of 7.1 (95% range 0.00–23). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±19.7%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.19682029
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 →
20257.50.0024
20267.40.0024
20277.30.0024
20287.20.0024
20297.10.0023

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
Maynard2220221988
Newburyport2020221976
Mansfield1920241968
Pittsfield1420161987
Marion1320241977
Belchertown1020241978
Cape Cod Ns1020071989
N. Andover1020241995
Warren820091977
Wellfleet 2820242016
Warren 2720242010
Prattville620181977
Littleton620231988
S Barre620241978
Holden620241980
N Oxford520241979
N Orange420231982
Gay Head320241996
E Dennis220211975
Monterey220242019

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 2026-05-22.