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

Rose-breasted Grosbeak Population Trend in West Virginia

All statesGeneralists

Rose-breasted Grosbeak in West Virginia has surged: up 575% on the route-weighted index since 1968.

+575%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 →
48Routes 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 Rose-breasted Grosbeak 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 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 →

Rose-breasted Grosbeak has surged in West Virginia: up 575% on the route-weighted index since 1968.

Rose-breasted Grosbeak Population Forecast in West Virginia

If the recent trend holds, Rose-breasted Grosbeak in West Virginia is projected to rise about 20% by 2029 — from 0.89 in 2024 to a central estimate of 1.1 (95% range 0.57–1.6). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±42.2%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

+20%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 →
1.1Projected 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 →
0.57–1.695% 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 →
±42.2%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, Rose-breasted Grosbeak in West Virginia is projected to rise about 20% by 2029 — from 0.89 in 2024 to a central estimate of 1.1 (95% range 0.57–1.6). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±42.2%, 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 →
20251.00.521.5
20261.00.541.5
20271.00.551.5
20281.10.561.6
20291.10.571.6

Rose-breasted Grosbeak Survey Routes in West Virginia

Routes recording Rose-breasted Grosbeak 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 →
Wymer720151995
Clinton620241973
Henderson620182018
Pedro520231994
Glady520242004
Sleepy Creek519821971
Breeden420052004
Canaan420231975
Bemis320242001
Valley Head320231966
Hix220241987
Bowden220241994
Bismark220211976
Richwood220241980
Green Bank220231977
Moundsville220241977
Berryburg219931990
Smithfield220241993
Martinsburg219811981
Ruthbelle220241975
Smoot120241980
Bramwell120221991
Ghent120231990
Hanover120211998
Clear Creek120241992

Rose-breasted Grosbeak Population Trend in Other States

arkansasconnecticutgeorgiaillinoisindianaiowakansaskentuckymainemarylandmassachusettsmichiganminnesotamissourinebraskanew-hampshirenew-jerseynew-yorknorth-carolinanorth-dakotaohiooklahomapennsylvaniarhode-islandsouth-dakotatennesseevermontvirginiawisconsinwyoming

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