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

Rock Pigeon Population Trend in Maryland

All statesGeneralists

Rock Pigeon in Maryland has fallen sharply: down 59% on the route-weighted index since 1968.

-59%Since 1968TrendPercent 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 →
75Routes 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 →
58YearsYears surveyedNumber of years with at least one standard-protocol run in this geography. A longer record makes the trend more reliable.Full methodology →

Notable Rock Pigeon Trends in MarylandNotable 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 →

Rock Pigeon has fallen sharply in Maryland: down 59% on the route-weighted index since 1968.

Rock Pigeon Population Forecast in Maryland

If the recent trend holds, Rock Pigeon in Maryland is projected to fall about 56% by 2029 — from 4.0 in 2024 to a central estimate of 1.7 (95% range 0.00–8.5). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±79.1%, with 40% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

-56%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 →
1.7Projected 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 →
0.00–8.595% 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 →
±79.1%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, Rock Pigeon in Maryland is projected to fall about 56% by 2029 — from 4.0 in 2024 to a central estimate of 1.7 (95% range 0.00–8.5). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±79.1%, with 40% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.19662029
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 →
20252.90.009.6
20262.60.009.3
20272.30.009.0
20282.00.008.7
20291.70.008.5

Rock Pigeon Survey Routes in Maryland

Routes recording Rock Pigeon in Maryland.
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 →
Williamsport5620241966
Snow Hill4519761966
Largo4319811966
Jones4219941966
Bald Friar3619961992
Hughesville3020191969
Wolfsville2220241966
Forest Grove2020232014
Madonna2020222009
Emmitsburg1720241966
Easton1620191966
Newark1320241966
Norwood1220101966
Bachman Mill1220231966
Harmony1220171966
Jessup1220242013
Broomes Isl1019941967
Smithsburg920141966
Beltsville920111966
Mt Nebo819911969
Eklo820181966
Floyd720231967
Madison720221968
Cokesbury720241966
Potomac Park620241970

Rock Pigeon Population Trend in Other States

alabamaalaskaarizonaarkansascaliforniacoloradoconnecticutdelawarefloridageorgiaidahoillinoisindianaiowakansaskentuckylouisianamainemassachusettsmichiganminnesotamississippimissourimontananebraskanevadanew-hampshirenew-jerseynew-mexiconew-yorknorth-carolinanorth-dakotaohiooklahomaoregonpennsylvaniarhode-islandsouth-carolinasouth-dakotatennesseetexasutahvermontvirginiawashingtonwest-virginiawisconsinwyoming

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