BirdAnalyst
Species · BBS 2025 Release · 1966–2024

Pine Grosbeak

FringillidaeForest birdsPinicola enucleator

Pine Grosbeak has surged: up 320% on the route-weighted index since 1972.

+320%Since 1972TrendPercent 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 →
227RoutesSurvey routesHow many standard-protocol BBS routes contributed counts. More routes means a steadier, better-sampled index; very thin coverage is suppressed.Full methodology →
53Years SurveyedYears surveyedNumber of years with at least one standard-protocol run in this geography. A longer record makes the trend more reliable.Full methodology →

About the Pine Grosbeak

The Pine Grosbeak (Pinicola enucleator) is a North American member of the Finches (Fringillidae). In this analysis it is grouped with the forest birds.

Size
4.5–6.5 in long (11–16 cm) — a small songbird (typical for the family)
Habitat
Woodlands and forest edges, including wooded suburbs and parks.
Diet
Insects and spiders gleaned from foliage and bark, with seeds and berries in season.
Range
Recorded on 227 Breeding Bird Survey routes across 15 states, most concentrated in the Southern Rockies / Colorado Plateau.
Family
Fringillidae · Forest birds

Notable Pine Grosbeak TrendsNotable 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 Pine Grosbeak. See the full index history below.

Pine Grosbeak Population Forecast

If the recent trend holds, Pine Grosbeak is projected to stay roughly flat through 2029, near 0.05 (95% range 0.03–0.07). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±56.7%, with 80% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

n/aChange 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 →
0.05Projected 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 →
0.03–0.0795% 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 →
±56.7%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, Pine Grosbeak is projected to stay roughly flat through 2029, near 0.05 (95% range 0.03–0.07). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±56.7%, with 80% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.19682029
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 →
20250.050.020.07
20260.050.030.07
20270.050.030.07
20280.050.030.07
20290.050.030.07

Where the Pine Grosbeak Is Detected

BBS routes recording Pine Grosbeak, sized by most recent count.

Pine Grosbeak Population Trend by State

Pine Grosbeak population trend by state.
TrendPercent 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 →Baseline yearThe first year of the smoothed window the trend is measured from. An earlier baseline means a longer record stands behind the number.Full methodology →Survey routesHow many standard-protocol BBS routes contributed counts. More routes means a steadier, better-sampled index; very thin coverage is suppressed.Full methodology →
Alaska-61%197880
Arizonainsufficient datan/a1
California-35%19816
Colorado+26%198347
Idaho-70%198710
Maineinsufficient datan/a11
Minnesotainsufficient datan/a1
Montana-34%198319
Nevadainsufficient datan/a1
New Mexicoinsufficient datan/a1
Oregoninsufficient datan/a5
Utah-77%198713
Washington-59%199311
Wisconsininsufficient datan/a2
Wyoming-36%197919

Pine Grosbeak Population Trend by Region

Bird Conservation Regions are the ecological unit for trends.

Pine Grosbeak population trend by Bird Conservation Region.
TrendPercent 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 →Baseline yearThe first year of the smoothed window the trend is measured from. An earlier baseline means a longer record stands behind the number.Full methodology →Survey routesHow many standard-protocol BBS routes contributed counts. More routes means a steadier, better-sampled index; very thin coverage is suppressed.Full methodology →
BCR 2+18%19858
BCR 4-66%197847
Northern Pacific Rainforest-41%198329
Northern Rockies-50%197453
Sierra Nevada-51%19845
Southern Rockies / Colorado Plateau+113%197364

Pine Grosbeak Conservation Status

Our route-weighted index shows it up about 320% since 1972.

Source: USGS North American Breeding Bird Survey, retrieved 2026-05-22. Trend is a route-weighted relative-abundance index, not an absolute population.