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

Northern Cardinal Population Trend in Massachusetts

All statesGeneralists

Northern Cardinal in Massachusetts has surged: up 60× on the route-weighted index since 1969.

60×Since 1969
32Routes In State
57Years

Notable Northern Cardinal Trends in Massachusetts

long arc increasecomputed index

Northern Cardinal has surged in Massachusetts: up 60× on the route-weighted index since 1969.

Northern Cardinal Population Forecast in Massachusetts

If the recent trend holds, Northern Cardinal in Massachusetts is projected to rise about 20% by 2029 — from 25 in 2024 to a central estimate of 30 (95% range 27–33). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±7.4%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

+20%Change by 2029
30Projected 2029 index
27–3395% range
±7.4%Backtest error
19672029
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
2025282531
2026292632
2027292632
2028302733
2029302733

Northern Cardinal Survey Routes in Massachusetts

Routes recording Northern Cardinal in Massachusetts.
Brockton8720191969
Belchertown5420241970
Marion5120241970
Mansfield3620241974
Cape Cod Ns3620071989
Wellfleet3420071975
Newburyport3420221971
N Oxford3320241969
N. Andover3020241995
S Barre2920241973
Maynard2620221972
Prattville2520191970
Wellfleet 22220242016
Warren2120091969
Warren 22120242010
Pittsfield2020161967
Littleton1920241971
E Dennis1820211970
Holden1820241977
Chesterfield1620241968
N Orange1520241968
Gay Head1520241996
E Pepperell1419941971
Monterey1320242019
Cheshire919941969

Northern Cardinal Population Trend in Other States

alabamaarizonaarkansascaliforniacoloradoconnecticutdelawarefloridageorgiaillinoisindianaiowakansaskentuckylouisianamainemarylandmichiganminnesotamississippimissourinebraskanew-hampshirenew-jerseynew-mexiconew-yorknorth-carolinanorth-dakotaohiooklahomapennsylvaniarhode-islandsouth-carolinasouth-dakotatennesseetexasvermontvirginiawest-virginiawisconsinwyoming

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