BirdAnalyst
Species · New York · BBS 2025 Release · 1966–2024

Purple Finch Population Trend in New York

All statesGeneralists

Purple Finch in New York has fallen sharply: down 54% on the route-weighted index since 1968.

-54%Since 1968
122Routes In State
58Years

Notable Purple Finch Trends in New York

long arc declinecomputed index

Purple Finch has fallen sharply in New York: down 54% on the route-weighted index since 1968.

Purple Finch Population Forecast in New York

If the recent trend holds, Purple Finch in New York is projected to rise about 20% by 2029 — from 0.79 in 2024 to a central estimate of 0.94 (95% range 0.37–1.5). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±37.7%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

+20%Change by 2029
0.94Projected 2029 index
0.37–1.595% range
±37.7%Backtest error
19662029
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
20251.00.451.6
20261.00.431.6
20270.980.411.6
20280.960.391.5
20290.940.371.5

Purple Finch Survey Routes in New York

Routes recording Purple Finch in New York.
Blue Ridge S1720101969
Dexter Lake1219751968
Westhampton1119951987
Inlet1120171979
Mcdonough620171971
Swain620071967
Speculator620241966
Cattaraugus520191969
Cicero Ctr520221966
Catskills420071973
Durham419741966
Platte Cove420181968
Laurens420221970
Romulus419971997
Dryden420241966
Rushville420182005
E Youngstown420231969
Tupper Lake419741968
Underwood419961969
Huntington319811978
Petersburg320181966
Meridale320241967
Oxford319761967
E Newark320231967
East Java320231967

Purple Finch Population Trend in Other States

alaskacaliforniaconnecticutindianamainemarylandmassachusettsmichiganminnesotanew-hampshirenew-jerseynorth-dakotaohiooregonpennsylvaniarhode-islandvermontwashingtonwest-virginiawisconsin

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