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Species · Washington · BBS 2025 Release · 1966–2024

Red-breasted Nuthatch Population Trend in Washington

All statesForest birds

Red-breasted Nuthatch in Washington has surged: up 115% on the route-weighted index since 1970.

+115%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 →
90Routes 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 →
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 Red-breasted Nuthatch Trends in WashingtonNotable 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 Washington: up 115% on the route-weighted index since 1970.

Red-breasted Nuthatch Population Forecast in Washington

If the recent trend holds, Red-breasted Nuthatch in Washington is projected to stay roughly flat through 2029, near 8.4 (95% range 6.0–11). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±7.9%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

-2%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 →
8.4Projected 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 →
6.0–1195% 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 →
±7.9%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 Washington is projected to stay roughly flat through 2029, near 8.4 (95% range 6.0–11). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±7.9%, 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 →
20258.15.610
20268.25.711
20278.35.811
20288.45.911
20298.46.011

Red-breasted Nuthatch Survey Routes in Washington

Routes recording Red-breasted Nuthatch in Washington.
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 Nwr5320241995
E. Mt. Adams3820241995
Rimrock3420241968
Omak Creek3020241996
Twin Lakes2920241983
Cusick2920241982
Rainier2720191993
Carlton2420221992
Mazama2420221993
Mt. Adams2420241993
Cloverland2320241993
Laurier2020221995
Sullivan Lake 22020242000
Port Angeles1920241970
Blewett Pass1820241992
L. Wenatchee1720241993
Chewelah1620211977
Cougar1620231968
Ronald1620241973
Keller1520071968
Greenwater1520242015
Leavenworth1420241981
Northport1420241996
Warm Beach 21120242018
Spring Lake1020241982

Red-breasted Nuthatch Population Trend in Other States

alaskaarizonacaliforniacoloradoconnecticutidahoillinoisindianakansasmainemarylandmassachusettsmichiganminnesotamontananebraskanevadanew-hampshirenew-jerseynew-mexiconew-yorknorth-carolinanorth-dakotaohiooregonpennsylvaniarhode-islandsouth-carolinasouth-dakotatennesseeutahvermontvirginiawest-virginiawisconsinwyoming

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