BirdAnalyst
Species · Washington · BBS 2025 Release · 1966–2024

Red-winged Blackbird Population Trend in Washington

All statesGeneralists

Red-winged Blackbird in Washington has surged: up 237% on the route-weighted index since 1970.

+237%Since 1970
102Routes In State
56Years

Notable Red-winged Blackbird Trends in Washington

long arc increasecomputed index

Red-winged Blackbird has surged in Washington: up 237% on the route-weighted index since 1970.

Red-winged Blackbird Population Forecast in Washington

If the recent trend holds, Red-winged Blackbird in Washington is projected to rise about 28% by 2029 — from 21 in 2024 to a central estimate of 27 (95% range 17–37). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±44.7%, with 80% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

+28%Change by 2029
27Projected 2029 index
17–3795% range
±44.7%Backtest error
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 index95% low95% high
2025261636
2026261636
2027261736
2028271736
2029271737

Red-winged Blackbird Survey Routes in Washington

Routes recording Red-winged Blackbird in Washington.
Mesa25120081994
Othello18819911981
Scootney Reservoir18120242009
Harwood14019971993
Ewan 213520242023
Mendota11219881977
Malden11220241998
Nighthawk9020241992
Ewan8920191983
Potholes8520231996
Turnbull Nwr7420231993
Wilbur7020241983
Harrington6820121972
Reardan6120241968
Yakima5720241993
Bay View5320171993
Walla Walla5219931993
Columbia Nwr5020221992
Wapato4920221971
Quincy4920241981
Keystone4520241994
Montesand4520242010
South Elma4320241975
Moses Lake3120221973
Ellensburg2820241981

Red-winged Blackbird Population Trend in Other States

alabamaalaskaarizonaarkansascaliforniacoloradoconnecticutdelawarefloridageorgiaidahoillinoisindianaiowakansaskentuckylouisianamainemarylandmassachusettsmichiganminnesotamississippimissourimontananebraskanevadanew-hampshirenew-jerseynew-mexiconew-yorknorth-carolinanorth-dakotaohiooklahomaoregonpennsylvaniarhode-islandsouth-carolinasouth-dakotatennesseetexasutahvermontvirginiawest-virginiawisconsinwyoming

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