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

House Sparrow Population Trend in Massachusetts

All statesGeneralists

House Sparrow in Massachusetts has declined: down 47% on the route-weighted index since 1968.

-47%Since 1968TrendPercent 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 →
32Routes 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 →
59YearsYears 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 Sparrow 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 →

No notable trend signals for House Sparrow in Massachusetts. See the full index history below.

House Sparrow Population Forecast in Massachusetts

If the recent trend holds, House Sparrow in Massachusetts is projected to rise about 29% by 2030 — from 15 in 2025 to a central estimate of 20 (95% range 7.4–32). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±29%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

+29%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 →
20Projected 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 →
7.4–3295% 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 →
±29%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 Sparrow in Massachusetts is projected to rise about 29% by 2030 — from 15 in 2025 to a central estimate of 20 (95% range 7.4–32). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±29%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.19662030
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 →
2026208.033
2027207.832
2028207.732
2029207.532
2030207.432

House Sparrow Survey Routes in Massachusetts

Routes recording House Sparrow 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 →
Newburyport16620221967
Mansfield5420251968
Cheshire5219941969
E Pepperell4819941966
Brockton4720191967
S Barre3920251968
Prattville3220191966
N Oxford2320251968
Chilmark2019831969
Princeton2019761969
Warren2020091968
Wellfleet1920071966
Maynard1920251967
Marion1620251967
Pittsfield1620161967
Littleton1520251967
Warren 21520252010
Belchertown1120251967
Holden1120251977
Wellfleet 21020252016
N Orange720251968
Monterey720252019
N. Andover720251995
Gay Head620251996
Cummington 2520252015

House Sparrow Population Trend in Other States

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

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