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

House Sparrow Population Trend in Massachusetts

All statesGeneralists

House Sparrow in Massachusetts has declined: down 30% on the route-weighted index since 1968.

-30%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 →
58YearsYears 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 54% by 2029 — from 13 in 2024 to a central estimate of 20 (95% range 7.9–33). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±23.4%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

+54%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 →
20Projected 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 →
7.9–3395% 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 →
±23.4%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 Sparrow in Massachusetts is projected to rise about 54% by 2029 — from 13 in 2024 to a central estimate of 20 (95% range 7.9–33). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±23.4%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.19662029
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 →
2025218.433
2026218.333
2027218.233
2028208.033
2029207.933

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
Maynard6020221967
Cheshire5219941969
E Pepperell4819941966
Brockton4720191967
Mansfield4520241968
Prattville3220191966
Littleton2520241967
N Oxford2420241968
Holden2120241977
Chilmark2019831969
Princeton2019761969
Warren2020091968
Wellfleet1920071966
Warren 21920242010
Belchertown1820241967
S Barre1720241968
Pittsfield1620161967
Marion820241967
N. Andover520241995
E Dennis420211967
Cummington420121968
Monterey420242019
Cape Cod Ns420071989
Gay Head420241996

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 2026-05-22.