BirdAnalyst
Species · West Virginia · BBS 2025 Release · 1966–2024

Rock Pigeon Population Trend in West Virginia

All statesGeneralists

Rock Pigeon in West Virginia has fallen sharply: down 67% on the route-weighted index since 1968.

-67%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 →
56Routes 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 West VirginiaNotable 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 West Virginia: down 66% on the route-weighted index since 1968.

Rock Pigeon Population Forecast in West Virginia

If the recent trend holds, Rock Pigeon in West Virginia is projected to fall about 100% by 2029 — from 3.4 in 2024 to a central estimate of 0.00 (95% range 0.00–7.2). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±151%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

-100%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 →
0.00Projected 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 →
0.00–7.295% 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 →
±151%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 West Virginia is projected to fall about 100% by 2029 — from 3.4 in 2024 to a central estimate of 0.00 (95% range 0.00–7.2). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±151%, with 100% 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 →
20250.000.007.2
20260.000.007.2
20270.000.007.2
20280.000.007.2
20290.000.007.2

Rock Pigeon Survey Routes in West Virginia

Routes recording Rock Pigeon in West Virginia.
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 →
Arlee12819791966
Sugar Grove7920241966
Yawkey3520031967
Smithfield3220241996
Pt Pleasant2120231973
Paradise1520231967
Bramwell1420221978
Slate1420231987
Ghent1020061980
Berryburg1019811975
Monongah920221967
Mcdonald620221999
Greer620221967
Stollings420182018
Bismark420042004
Green Bank420211985
Martinsburg420241966
Smoot320191994
Pedro320151997
Hanover320241984
Clear Creek320171988
Hubbardstown319921971
Meadland320192005
Fayetteville319961989
Olcott320181967

Rock Pigeon Population Trend in Other States

alabamaalaskaarizonaarkansascaliforniacoloradoconnecticutdelawarefloridageorgiaidahoillinoisindianaiowakansaskentuckylouisianamainemarylandmassachusettsmichiganminnesotamississippimissourimontananebraskanevadanew-hampshirenew-jerseynew-mexiconew-yorknorth-carolinanorth-dakotaohiooklahomaoregonpennsylvaniarhode-islandsouth-carolinasouth-dakotatennesseetexasutahvermontvirginiawashingtonwisconsinwyoming

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