BirdAnalyst
Species · West Virginia · BBS 2025 Release · 1966–2024

Purple Finch Population Trend in West Virginia

All statesGeneralists

Purple Finch in West Virginia has fallen sharply: down 57% on the route-weighted index since 1972.

-57%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 →
14Routes In StateSurvey routesHow many standard-protocol BBS routes contributed counts. More routes means a steadier, better-sampled index; very thin coverage is suppressed.Full methodology →
37YearsYears surveyedNumber of years with at least one standard-protocol run in this geography. A longer record makes the trend more reliable.Full methodology →

Notable Purple Finch Trends in West VirginiaNotable 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 fallen sharply in West Virginia: down 57% on the route-weighted index since 1972.

Purple Finch Population Forecast in West Virginia

If the recent trend holds, Purple Finch in West Virginia is projected to stay roughly flat through 2027, near 0.06 (95% range 0.00–0.14). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±196.6%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

n/aChange by 2027TrendPercent 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 →
0.06Projected 2027 indexProjected indexThe central forecast of the abundance index if the recent trend continues. A projection of the current trajectory, not a prediction.Full methodology →
0.00–0.1495% 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 →
±196.6%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 West Virginia is projected to stay roughly flat through 2027, near 0.06 (95% range 0.00–0.14). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±196.6%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.19692027
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 →
20230.060.000.14
20240.060.000.14
20250.060.000.14
20260.060.000.14
20270.060.000.14

Purple Finch Survey Routes in West Virginia

Routes recording Purple Finch in West Virginia.
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 →
Glade Run220021988
Glade Run 2220102005
Valley Head219801970
Dailey120001987
Mo Of Seneca119691969
Wymer120141998
Glady120092002
Bebee120172005
Bemis120222001
Mt Storm119721972
Bismark120211979
Ruthbelle120141980
Denmar120052001
Green Bank120161981

Purple Finch Population Trend in Other States

alaskacaliforniaconnecticutindianamainemarylandmassachusettsmichiganminnesotanew-hampshirenew-jerseynew-yorknorth-dakotaohiooregonpennsylvaniarhode-islandvermontwashingtonwisconsin

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