Species · Massachusetts · BBS 2025 Release · 1966–2024

Northern Rough-winged Swallow Population Trend in Massachusetts

Northern Rough-winged Swallow in Massachusetts has edged up: up 24% on the route-weighted index since 1970.

+24%Since 1970
29Routes In State
56Years

Notable Northern Rough-winged Swallow Trends in Massachusetts

No notable trend signals for Northern Rough-winged Swallow in Massachusetts. See the full index history below.

Northern Rough-winged Swallow Population Forecast in Massachusetts

If the recent trend holds, Northern Rough-winged Swallow in Massachusetts is projected to fall about 48% by 2029 — from 0.80 in 2024 to a central estimate of 0.42 (95% range 0.00–1.1). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±249.9%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

-48%Change by 2029
0.42Projected 2029 index
0.001.195% range
±249.9%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
20250.420.001.1
20260.420.001.1
20270.420.001.1
20280.420.001.1
20290.420.001.1

Northern Rough-winged Swallow Survey Routes in Massachusetts

Routes recording Northern Rough-winged Swallow in Massachusetts.
Mansfield1020241987
E Pepperell419921981
Cummington420091970
Pittsfield420161989
Ware River320051994
Sheffield320131969
N Oxford220171970
N Orange219791978
Cheshire219931993
Hancock220002000
E Dennis119841973
Chilmark119811981
Marion120131978
Wellfleet119971992
Prattville120131967
Brockton120181985
Maynard119931990
Littleton119971975
Princeton119761972
Belchertown120171973
Warren120091969
S Barre119921969
Chesterfield120191998
Cape Cod Ns119961995
Gay Head120121996

Northern Rough-winged Swallow Population Trend in Other States

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