Species · Massachusetts · BBS 2025 Release · 1966–2024

Rock Pigeon Population Trend in Massachusetts

Rock Pigeon in Massachusetts has fallen sharply: down 57% on the route-weighted index since 1968.

-57%Since 1968
29Routes In State
58Years

Notable Rock Pigeon Trends in Massachusetts

long arc declinecomputed index

Rock Pigeon has fallen sharply in Massachusetts: down 57% on the route-weighted index since 1968.

Rock Pigeon Population Forecast in Massachusetts

If the recent trend holds, Rock Pigeon in Massachusetts is projected to fall about 62% by 2029 — from 2.9 in 2024 to a central estimate of 1.1 (95% range 0.00–5.2). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±41.5%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

-62%Change by 2029
1.1Projected 2029 index
0.005.295% range
±41.5%Backtest error
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 index95% low95% high
20251.60.005.6
20261.50.005.5
20271.40.005.4
20281.20.005.3
20291.10.005.2

Rock Pigeon Survey Routes in Massachusetts

Routes recording Rock Pigeon in Massachusetts.
Cummington 21620232015
Chilmark1419831969
Belchertown1320241967
Pittsfield1220061967
Prattville1120181966
Mansfield920241968
E Pepperell719941967
N Orange720241968
Littleton520241968
Marion420081969
S Barre420241976
Ware River420131997
N Oxford320241968
Princeton319721969
Chesterfield320211967
Cheshire319941969
Warren 2320242010
E Dennis220081970
Brockton219891968
Warren220091968
Cummington220121974
Sheffield220061975
Wellfleet119961971
Newburyport120121968
Maynard120221967

Rock Pigeon Population Trend in Other States

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