BirdAnalyst
Species · West Virginia · BBS 2025 Release · 1966–2024

House Sparrow Population Trend in West Virginia

All statesGeneralists

House Sparrow in West Virginia has collapsed: down 89% on the route-weighted index since 1968.

-89%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 →
60Routes 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 West VirginiaNotable 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 declinecomputed 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 Sparrow has collapsed in West Virginia: down 89% on the route-weighted index since 1968.

House Sparrow Population Forecast in West Virginia

If the recent trend holds, House Sparrow in West Virginia is projected to fall about 100% by 2029 — from 6.6 in 2024 to a central estimate of 0.00 (95% range 0.00–22). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±128.1%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

-100%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 →
0.00Projected 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 →
0.00–2295% 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 →
±128.1%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 West Virginia is projected to fall about 100% by 2029 — from 6.6 in 2024 to a central estimate of 0.00 (95% range 0.00–22). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±128.1%, 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 →
20250.000.0022
20260.000.0022
20270.000.0022
20280.000.0022
20290.000.0022

House Sparrow Survey Routes in West Virginia

Routes recording House Sparrow in West Virginia.
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 →
Arlee4519791966
Hanover3220241980
Sleepy Creek3019901966
Martinsburg3020241966
Greer2320231966
Albright2319741966
Paradise2220231966
Mt Storm2219751966
Clear Creek2120241988
Mcdonald2120231987
Monongah1920221966
Rockport1720241966
Clinton1620241966
Meadland1420241997
Bramwell1320231978
Rio1319951974
Moundsville1220241972
Meadowville1220241972
Sutton1120241976
Ruthbelle1120241975
Three Forks1020241971
Hix820241970
Welch820231980
Josephs Mill820241993
Pedro720231979

House Sparrow Population Trend in Other States

alabamaalaskaarizonaarkansascaliforniacoloradoconnecticutdelawarefloridageorgiaidahoillinoisindianaiowakansaskentuckylouisianamainemarylandmassachusettsmichiganminnesotamississippimissourimontananebraskanevadanew-hampshirenew-jerseynew-mexiconew-yorknorth-carolinanorth-dakotaohiooklahomaoregonpennsylvaniarhode-islandsouth-carolinasouth-dakotatennesseetexasutahvermontvirginiawashingtonwisconsinwyoming

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