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

Mourning Dove Population Trend in West Virginia

All statesGeneralists

Mourning Dove in West Virginia has surged: up 91% on the route-weighted index since 1968.

+91%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 →
63Routes 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 Mourning Dove 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 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 →

Mourning Dove has surged in West Virginia: up 91% on the route-weighted index since 1968.

Mourning Dove Population Forecast in West Virginia

If the recent trend holds, Mourning Dove in West Virginia is projected to rise about 49% by 2029 — from 14 in 2024 to a central estimate of 20 (95% range 15–25). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±21.6%, with 80% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

+49%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 →
15–2595% 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 →
±21.6%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, Mourning Dove in West Virginia is projected to rise about 49% by 2029 — from 14 in 2024 to a central estimate of 20 (95% range 15–25). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±21.6%, with 80% 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 →
2025191524
2026201524
2027201525
2028201525
2029201525

Mourning Dove Survey Routes in West Virginia

Routes recording Mourning Dove 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 →
Sugar Grove5320241966
Slate4720241980
Martinsburg4420241966
Monongah3820221966
Pt Pleasant3320231973
Josephs Mill3020241993
Clinton2920241966
Rockport2820241966
Sleepy Creek2619901966
Meadland2520241997
Paradise2520231966
Spencer2320231986
Ruthbelle2320241975
Hix2220241970
Bramwell2220231978
Hubbardstown2220231966
Greer1920231966
Fayetteville1819961980
Arlee1719791966
Shanghai1620221995
Clear Creek1520241988
Mcdonald1520231988
Smithfield1520241993
Henderson1520232002
Berryburg1419961975

Mourning Dove 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.