BirdAnalyst
Species · BBS 2025 Release · 1966–2024

Plumbeous Vireo

VireonidaeForest birdsVireo plumbeus

Plumbeous Vireo has surged: up 429% on the route-weighted index since 1969.

+429%Since 1969TrendPercent 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 →
328RoutesSurvey routesHow many standard-protocol BBS routes contributed counts. More routes means a steadier, better-sampled index; very thin coverage is suppressed.Full methodology →
57Years 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 Plumbeous Vireo

The Plumbeous Vireo (Vireo plumbeus) is a North American member of the Vireos (Vireonidae). In this analysis it is grouped with the forest birds.

Size
4.5–6 in long (11–15 cm) — a small, deliberate 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 328 Breeding Bird Survey routes across 12 states, most concentrated in the Southern Rockies / Colorado Plateau.
Family
Vireonidae · Forest birds

Notable Plumbeous Vireo 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 Plumbeous Vireo. See the full index history below.

Plumbeous Vireo Population Forecast

If the recent trend holds, Plumbeous Vireo is projected to rise about 73% by 2029 — from 0.17 in 2024 to a central estimate of 0.30 (95% range 0.21–0.39). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±59.9%, with 20% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

+73%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 →
0.30Projected 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 →
0.21–0.3995% 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 →
±59.9%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, Plumbeous Vireo is projected to rise about 73% by 2029 — from 0.17 in 2024 to a central estimate of 0.30 (95% range 0.21–0.39). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±59.9%, with 20% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.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 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 →
20250.280.200.37
20260.290.200.37
20270.290.200.38
20280.300.210.38
20290.300.210.39

Where the Plumbeous Vireo Is Detected

BBS routes recording Plumbeous Vireo, sized by most recent count.

Plumbeous Vireo Population Trend by State

Plumbeous Vireo 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 →
Arizona+46%197036
California-63%197510
Colorado+41%197179
Idaho-88%197815
Montana-63%198417
Nebraskainsufficient datan/a2
Nevada-77%199313
New Mexico+365%197035
South Dakota+178%196913
Texasinsufficient datan/a5
Utah+217%197273
Wyoming-35%197730

Plumbeous Vireo Population Trend by Region

Bird Conservation Regions are the ecological unit for trends.

Plumbeous Vireo 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 →
Great Basin-52%197440
Northern Rockies-87%197438
Sierra Nevada-91%19755
Southern Rockies / Colorado Plateau+76%1970165
Badlands and Prairies+11%196930
Shortgrass Prairie+1%19898
Sierra Madre Occidental+55%197027
Chihuahuan Desert+120%197411

Plumbeous Vireo Conservation Status

Our route-weighted index shows it up about 429% since 1969.

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