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

House Sparrow Population Trend in California

All statesGeneralists

House Sparrow in California has fallen sharply: down 55% on the route-weighted index since 1970.

-55%Since 1970
204Routes In State
56Years

Notable House Sparrow Trends in California

long arc declinecomputed index

House Sparrow has fallen sharply in California: down 55% on the route-weighted index since 1970.

House Sparrow Population Forecast in California

If the recent trend holds, House Sparrow in California is projected to fall about 61% by 2029 — from 16 in 2024 to a central estimate of 6.1 (95% range 0.00–17). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±56.8%, with 80% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

-61%Change by 2029
6.1Projected 2029 index
0.00–1795% range
±56.8%Backtest error
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 index95% low95% high
20258.20.0019
20267.70.0019
20277.20.0018
20286.70.0018
20296.10.0017

House Sparrow Survey Routes in California

Routes recording House Sparrow in California.
Atwater75520121972
Orland20820221974
Oroville16620241972
Tipton15319971972
Glenn12320231972
Gravesboro11119951968
Moreno11020241968
Dorris10520191972
Willow Spgs9519811968
Shafter9419891971
Joshua Tree 29020162013
Redding8519831972
Livermore8319911972
Ora Loma8220241973
Caruthers7819871972
San Ysidro7520191973
Willow Springs 27220242013
Hughson7020241968
Athlone6820071973
Collegeville6720041968
Westley6720241972
Lenwood6620121973
Joshua Tree6320021970
Buena Vista5920191990
Auburn5819801969

House Sparrow Population Trend in Other States

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

Source: USGS North American Breeding Bird Survey, retrieved 2026-05-22.