BirdAnalyst
Species · BCR 37 · BBS 2025 Release · 1966–2024

Ruby-throated Hummingbird In Gulf Coastal Prairie

All regionsGulf Coastal PrairieGeneralists

Ruby-throated Hummingbird in Gulf Coastal Prairie has collapsed: down 77% on the route-weighted index since 1971.

-77%Since 1971TrendPercent 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 →
32Routes 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 →
49YearsYears 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 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 →

Ruby-throated Hummingbird has collapsed in Gulf Coastal Prairie: down 77% on the route-weighted index since 1971.

Forecast

If the recent trend holds, Ruby-throated Hummingbird in Gulf Coastal Prairie is projected to stay roughly flat through 2029, near 0.06 (95% range 0.00–0.34). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±41.6%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

n/aChange 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 →
0.06Projected 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 →
0.00–0.3495% 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 →
±41.6%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 Gulf Coastal Prairie is projected to stay roughly flat through 2029, near 0.06 (95% range 0.00–0.34). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±41.6%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.19672029
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 →
20250.070.000.36
20260.070.000.35
20270.070.000.35
20280.060.000.35
20290.060.000.34

Routes In Gulf Coastal Prairie

Routes recording Ruby-throated Hummingbird in Gulf Coastal Prairie.
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 →
WinnieTEXAS51976
McfaddinTEXAS42012
LafitteLOUISIANA21991
Moon LakeTEXAS21997
Moon Lake 2TEXAS22022
Goliad PrairieTEXAS22012
JuniorLOUISIANA11988
CreoleLOUISIANA11973
HackberryLOUISIANA12013
GlencoeLOUISIANA12015
EstherLOUISIANA12011
KaplanLOUISIANA12010
RichardLOUISIANA12014
Ltl ChenierLOUISIANA12005
Ville PlatteLOUISIANA12017
Hackberry 2LOUISIANA12019
Sabine Nwr 2LOUISIANA12015
WoodlawnLOUISIANA12017
Forked IslandLOUISIANA12011
Vinton 2LOUISIANA12019
Lag AtascosaTEXAS11989
PetronilaTEXAS12009
Hinkles FerTEXAS12019
IndianolaTEXAS11993
StowellTEXAS12005

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