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Species · West Virginia · BBS 2026 Release · 1966–2025

Rose-breasted Grosbeak Population Trend in West Virginia

All statesForest birds

Rose-breasted Grosbeak in West Virginia has surged: up 479% on the route-weighted index since 1968.

+479%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 →
51Routes 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 →
59YearsYears 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 479% 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 147% by 2030 — from 0.42 in 2025 to a central estimate of 1.0 (95% range 0.52–1.6). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±73.1%, with 80% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

+147%Change by 2030TrendPercent 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 →
1.0Projected 2030 indexProjected indexThe central forecast of the abundance index if the recent trend continues. A projection of the current trajectory, not a prediction.Full methodology →
0.52–1.695% 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 →
±73.1%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, Rose-breasted Grosbeak in West Virginia is projected to rise about 147% by 2030 — from 0.42 in 2025 to a central estimate of 1.0 (95% range 0.52–1.6). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±73.1%, with 80% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.19662030
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 →
20260.990.471.5
20271.00.481.5
20281.00.501.5
20291.00.511.5
20301.00.521.6

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
Glady520242004
Sleepy Creek519821971
Breeden420052004
Canaan420231975
Pedro320251994
Bemis320242001
Valley Head320231966
Ruthbelle320251975
Hix220241987
Bowden220241994
Richwood220241980
Green Bank220231977
Berryburg219931990
Smithfield220241993
Martinsburg219811981
Ringgold220252025
Smoot120251980
Bramwell120221991
Ghent120231990
Hanover120211998
Clear Creek120241992
Glade Run120021988

Rose-breasted Grosbeak Population Trend in Other States

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

Source: USGS North American Breeding Bird Survey, retrieved 2026-08-14.