BirdAnalyst
Species · BCR 10 · BBS 2025 Release · 1966–2024

Purple Finch In Northern Rockies

All regionsNorthern RockiesGeneralists

Purple Finch in Northern Rockies has collapsed: down 79% on the route-weighted index since 1987.

-79%Since 1987TrendPercent 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 →
11Routes In RegionSurvey routesHow many standard-protocol BBS routes contributed counts. More routes means a steadier, better-sampled index; very thin coverage is suppressed.Full methodology →
19YearsYears surveyedNumber of years with at least one standard-protocol run in this geography. A longer record makes the trend more reliable.Full methodology →

Notable SignalsNotable 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 declinecomputed 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 →

Purple Finch has collapsed in Northern Rockies: down 79% on the route-weighted index since 1987.

Forecast

If the recent trend holds, Purple Finch in Northern Rockies is projected to stay roughly flat through 2022, near 0.00 (95% range 0.00–0.18). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±149.4%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

n/aChange by 2022TrendPercent 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 →
0.00Projected 2022 indexProjected indexThe central forecast of the abundance index if the recent trend continues. A projection of the current trajectory, not a prediction.Full methodology →
0.00–0.1895% 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 →
±149.4%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, Purple Finch in Northern Rockies is projected to stay roughly flat through 2022, near 0.00 (95% range 0.00–0.18). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±149.4%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.19732022
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 →
20180.000.000.18
20190.000.000.18
20200.000.000.18
20210.000.000.18
20220.000.000.18

Routes In Northern Rockies

Routes recording Purple Finch in Northern Rockies.
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 →
GraniteOREGON301989
DesolationOREGON51993
Summit PrOREGON42013
OchocoOREGON31976
Mount VernonOREGON22016
Omak CreekWASHINGTON22007
AlbeeOREGON12014
LogdellOREGON12017
WickiupOREGON11996
Silver CreekOREGON12008
Hells CanyonOREGON11998

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