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

House Finch Population Trend in Montana

All statesGeneralists

House Finch in Montana has surged: up 584% on the route-weighted index since 1988.

+584%Since 1988TrendPercent 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 →
40Routes 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 →
39YearsYears 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 MontanaNotable 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 Montana: up 584% on the route-weighted index since 1988.

House Finch Population Forecast in Montana

If the recent trend holds, House Finch in Montana is projected to rise about 20% by 2030 — from 1.2 in 2025 to a central estimate of 1.4 (95% range 0.00–2.9). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±91.2%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

+20%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 →
1.4Projected 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 →
0.00–2.995% 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 →
±91.2%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 Montana is projected to rise about 20% by 2030 — from 1.2 in 2025 to a central estimate of 1.4 (95% range 0.00–2.9). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±91.2%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.19812030
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 →
20261.30.002.8
20271.40.002.8
20281.40.002.8
20291.40.002.8
20301.40.002.9

House Finch Survey Routes in Montana

Routes recording House Finch in Montana.
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 →
Kalispell2420251989
Church Hill1620252017
Clyde Park1420252019
Willow Creek 21120251990
Victor1020251993
Wise River1020181994
Glasgow520252000
Glen520172006
Threemile Wa420251993
Painted Rock419941993
Harlem320072003
Great Falls320251989
Forsyth320192016
Chestnut320241994
Ninemile320161993
Pagil Gulch320252015
Pablo Res.320191995
Sunburst219991999
St Regis220251994
Greenough220021996
Arlee220232023
Augusta220252009
Elliston220111996
Reed Point220251984
Laurel220221996

House Finch Population Trend in Other States

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

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