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Species · Washington · BBS 2026 Release · 1966–2025

Red-breasted Nuthatch Population Trend in Washington

All statesForest birds

Red-breasted Nuthatch in Washington has surged: up 136% on the route-weighted index since 1970.

+136%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 →
57YearsYears 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 136% 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 fall about 21% by 2030 — from 11 in 2025 to a central estimate of 8.8 (95% range 6.3–11). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±10.9%, with 80% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

-21%Change by 2030TrendPercent 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 →
8.8Projected 2030 indexProjected indexThe central forecast of the abundance index if the recent trend continues. A projection of the current trajectory, not a prediction.Full methodology →
6.3–1195% 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 →
±10.9%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 fall about 21% by 2030 — from 11 in 2025 to a central estimate of 8.8 (95% range 6.3–11). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±10.9%, with 80% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.19682030
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 →
20268.45.911
20278.56.011
20288.66.111
20298.76.211
20308.86.311

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
Cusick4820251982
Rimrock4620251968
Blewett Pass4420251992
Vashon Is.3620251995
Twin Lakes3320251983
Rainier3120251993
Omak Creek3020241996
L. Wenatchee2920251993
E. Mt. Adams2920251995
Carlton2420221992
Mazama2420221993
Port Angeles2220251970
Sullivan Lake 22120252000
Ronald2020251973
Spring Lake2020251982
Cloverland1820251993
Chewelah1620211977
Cougar1620231968
Snowden1620251972
Keller1520071968
Leavenworth1420241981
Hurricane Rg1420251992
Northport1320251996
Mt. Adams1220251993

Red-breasted Nuthatch Population Trend in Other States

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

Source: USGS North American Breeding Bird Survey, retrieved 2026-08-14.