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

Red-breasted Nuthatch In Northern Rockies

All regionsNorthern RockiesForest birds

Red-breasted Nuthatch in Northern Rockies has surged: up 133% on the route-weighted index since 1970.

+133%Since 1970TrendPercent 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 →
147Routes 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 →
56YearsYears 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 increasecomputed 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 →

Red-breasted Nuthatch has surged in Northern Rockies: up 133% on the route-weighted index since 1970.

Red-breasted Nuthatch In Northern Rockies Population Forecast

If the recent trend holds, Red-breasted Nuthatch in Northern Rockies is projected to rise about 39% by 2029 — from 4.7 in 2024 to a central estimate of 6.5 (95% range 3.6–9.5). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±31.9%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

+39%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 →
6.5Projected 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 →
3.6–9.595% 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 →
±31.9%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, Red-breasted Nuthatch in Northern Rockies is projected to rise about 39% by 2029 — from 4.7 in 2024 to a central estimate of 6.5 (95% range 3.6–9.5). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±31.9%, with 100% 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 →
20256.33.39.2
20266.33.49.3
20276.43.49.3
20286.53.59.4
20296.53.69.5

Routes In Northern Rockies

Routes recording Red-breasted Nuthatch 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 →
L Pend O NwrWASHINGTON532024
CoolinIDAHO322024
Omak CreekWASHINGTON302024
DonnellyOREGON292006
Twin LakesWASHINGTON292024
CusickWASHINGTON292024
Hash RockOREGON262024
OchocoOREGON241982
Black Mtn.OREGON242004
CloverlandWASHINGTON232024
DesolationOREGON202007
LaurierWASHINGTON202022
Sullivan Lake 2WASHINGTON202024
Painted RockMONTANA192022
TroyOREGON192024
GrangevilleIDAHO172024
St RegisMONTANA172024
Hells CanyonOREGON172022
BarnhouseOREGON172024
Howard Mdws.OREGON162024
ChewelahWASHINGTON162021
SkalkahoMONTANA151998
KellerWASHINGTON152007
NaplesIDAHO142024
Thompson RivMONTANA142024

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