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

House Finch Population Trend in Montana

All statesGeneralists

House Finch in Montana has surged: up 486% on the route-weighted index since 1988.

+486%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 →
39Routes 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 →
38YearsYears 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 486% 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 66% by 2029 — from 0.86 in 2024 to a central estimate of 1.4 (95% range 0.00–2.9). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±124.4%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

+66%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 →
1.4Projected 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 →
0.00–2.995% 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 →
±124.4%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 66% by 2029 — from 0.86 in 2024 to a central estimate of 1.4 (95% range 0.00–2.9). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±124.4%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.19812029
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 →
20251.30.002.8
20261.40.002.8
20271.40.002.8
20281.40.002.9
20291.40.002.9

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 →
Victor2020241993
Church Hill1220242017
Kalispell1120241989
Wise River1020181994
Pagil Gulch720222015
Willow Creek 2620241990
Great Falls620241989
Clyde Park620242019
Glen520172006
Threemile Wa420241993
Painted Rock419941993
Harlem320072003
Glasgow320002000
Forsyth320192016
Chestnut320241994
Reed Point320241984
Ninemile320161993
Pablo Res.320191995
Sunburst219991999
Greenough220021996
Arlee220232023
Elliston220111996
Laurel220221996
Malta120132013
St Regis120241994

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 2026-05-22.