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

Rock Pigeon Population Trend in Washington

All statesGeneralists

Rock Pigeon in Washington has surged: up 317% on the route-weighted index since 1970.

+317%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 →
82Routes 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 Rock Pigeon 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 →

Rock Pigeon has surged in Washington: up 317% on the route-weighted index since 1970.

Rock Pigeon Population Forecast in Washington

If the recent trend holds, Rock Pigeon in Washington is projected to rise about 31% by 2029 — from 4.8 in 2024 to a central estimate of 6.3 (95% range 0.57–12). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±49.9%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

+31%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 →
6.3Projected 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 →
0.57–1295% 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 →
±49.9%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, Rock Pigeon in Washington is projected to rise about 31% by 2029 — from 4.8 in 2024 to a central estimate of 6.3 (95% range 0.57–12). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±49.9%, 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 →
20256.20.5212
20266.20.5412
20276.30.5512
20286.30.5612
20296.30.5712

Rock Pigeon Survey Routes in Washington

Routes recording Rock Pigeon 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 →
Columbia Nwr9520221992
Wapato6920221971
Asotin6720241981
Connell3720151968
Mesa3220081994
Raymond2820211993
Odessa2820241993
Malden2720241998
Ewan 22520242023
Keystone2320241994
Port Angeles2120241970
Curlew2020131992
Potholes2020231996
Tonasket1720131988
Othello1719911981
Hartline1620241994
Hanford Site1619931988
L Pend O Nwr1620212011
Moses Coulee1420221993
Lake Chelan1420002000
Wilbur1120241983
Pomona1119991998
Brewster1020181977
Nighthawk1020242010
Selah1020232000

Rock Pigeon 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.