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

Savannah Sparrow Population Trend in West Virginia

All statesGrassland birds

Savannah Sparrow in West Virginia has collapsed: down 83% on the route-weighted index since 1968.

-83%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 →
26Routes 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 →
54YearsYears surveyedNumber of years with at least one standard-protocol run in this geography. A longer record makes the trend more reliable.Full methodology →

Notable Savannah Sparrow 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 →

Savannah Sparrow has collapsed in West Virginia: down 83% on the route-weighted index since 1968.

Savannah Sparrow Population Forecast in West Virginia

If the recent trend holds, Savannah Sparrow in West Virginia is projected to fall about 85% by 2029 — from 0.16 in 2024 to a central estimate of 0.03 (95% range 0.00–0.25). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±47.9%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

-85%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 →
0.03Projected 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 →
0.00–0.2595% 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 →
±47.9%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, Savannah Sparrow in West Virginia is projected to fall about 85% by 2029 — from 0.16 in 2024 to a central estimate of 0.03 (95% range 0.00–0.25). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±47.9%, 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 →
20250.040.000.27
20260.040.000.27
20270.030.000.26
20280.030.000.26
20290.030.000.25

Savannah Sparrow Survey Routes in West Virginia

Routes recording Savannah Sparrow 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 →
Bebee1120061979
Denmar520241980
Sutton419891989
Greer319961967
Clinton319721966
Sugar Grove220151970
Ruthbelle220211976
Hix120152015
Pedro119971994
Glade Run119941994
Bemis120192003
Bismark120031985
Valley Head119731966
Green Bank120241980
Mo Of Seneca119801980
Moundsville119981981
Monongah119861968
Berryburg119881975
Josephs Mill120022002
Albright119741966
Meadowville120181972
Mt Storm119741966
Rio119881987
Sleepy Creek119821978
Martinsburg119991999

Savannah Sparrow Population Trend in Other States

alaskaarizonacaliforniacoloradoconnecticutdelawareidahoillinoisindianaiowakansaskentuckymainemarylandmassachusettsmichiganminnesotamissourimontananebraskanevadanew-hampshirenew-jerseynew-mexiconew-yorknorth-carolinanorth-dakotaohiooregonpennsylvaniarhode-islandsouth-dakotatennesseeutahvermontvirginiawashingtonwisconsinwyoming

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