BirdAnalyst
Species · BCR 28 · BBS 2025 Release · 1966–2024

Ruby-throated Hummingbird In Appalachian Mountains

All regionsAppalachian MountainsGeneralists

Ruby-throated Hummingbird in Appalachian Mountains has surged: up 141% on the route-weighted index since 1968.

+141%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 →
392Routes In RegionSurvey 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 SignalsNotable 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 →

Ruby-throated Hummingbird has surged in Appalachian Mountains: up 141% on the route-weighted index since 1968.

Ruby-throated Hummingbird In Appalachian Mountains Population Forecast

If the recent trend holds, Ruby-throated Hummingbird in Appalachian Mountains is projected to rise about 73% by 2029 — from 0.58 in 2024 to a central estimate of 1.00 (95% range 0.65–1.3). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±60.2%, with 0% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

+73%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 →
1.00Projected 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 →
0.65–1.395% 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 →
±60.2%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, Ruby-throated Hummingbird in Appalachian Mountains is projected to rise about 73% by 2029 — from 0.58 in 2024 to a central estimate of 1.00 (95% range 0.65–1.3). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±60.2%, with 0% 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 →
20250.950.611.3
20260.960.621.3
20270.970.631.3
20280.990.641.3
20291.000.651.3

Routes In Appalachian Mountains

Routes recording Ruby-throated Hummingbird in Appalachian Mountains.
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 →
Lost RiverWEST-VIRGINIA72019
Cumberlnd GpKENTUCKY62018
FinzelMARYLAND62024
BrevardNORTH-CAROLINA62024
StaffordsvilKENTUCKY51997
S Berne 2NEW-YORK52024
Rural RetrtVIRGINIA52023
New MarketVIRGINIA52022
WashburnWEST-VIRGINIA52022
DrummondALABAMA42021
MurphyNORTH-CAROLINA42018
KaylorPENNSYLVANIA42021
W AugustaVIRGINIA42024
MartinsburgWEST-VIRGINIA42007
TradeALABAMA32011
MaytownALABAMA32023
WoodvilleALABAMA32024
Pippa PassesKENTUCKY31997
WilliamsportMARYLAND32023
SmithsburgMARYLAND32011
MilfordNEW-YORK32019
CullowheeNORTH-CAROLINA32024
BusickNORTH-CAROLINA31999
New MarshfldOHIO32018
Coal RunOHIO31991

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