BirdAnalyst
Species · Alabama · BBS 2025 Release · 1966–2024

Song Sparrow Population Trend in Alabama

All statesGeneralists

Song Sparrow in Alabama has surged: up 21× on the route-weighted index since 1971.

21×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 →
33Routes 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 →
51YearsYears surveyedNumber of years with at least one standard-protocol run in this geography. A longer record makes the trend more reliable.Full methodology →

Notable Song Sparrow Trends in AlabamaNotable 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 →

Song Sparrow has surged in Alabama: up 21× on the route-weighted index since 1971.

Song Sparrow Population Forecast in Alabama

If the recent trend holds, Song Sparrow in Alabama is projected to fall about 41% by 2029 — from 0.60 in 2024 to a central estimate of 0.35 (95% range 0.04–0.66). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±60.8%, with 20% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

-41%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 →
0.35Projected 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 →
0.04–0.6695% 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 →
±60.8%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, Song Sparrow in Alabama is projected to fall about 41% by 2029 — from 0.60 in 2024 to a central estimate of 0.35 (95% range 0.04–0.66). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±60.8%, with 20% 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 →
20250.330.020.65
20260.340.020.65
20270.340.030.65
20280.340.030.66
20290.350.040.66

Song Sparrow Survey Routes in Alabama

Routes recording Song Sparrow in Alabama.
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 →
Carter Grove1420232011
Guntersville820241980
Talladega520242017
St Florian420241987
Pine Grove420241975
Woodville420241994
Valhermoso Spg 2420142014
Swaim320241981
Greensport320241996
Wheeler Dam319941994
Riverside320131999
Hillsboro219841984
Mentone220231996
Brooksville219911984
Trade119671967
Summitt119701970
Valhermoso Spgs120101981
Dawson119971991
Millerville119971997
Sunny Eve120132012
Mt Olive119981998
Maytown120002000
Lanett119841982
Kymulga120052003
Borden Springs 2120242001

Song Sparrow Population Trend in Other States

alaskaarizonaarkansascaliforniacoloradoconnecticutdelawaregeorgiaidahoillinoisindianaiowakansaskentuckymainemarylandmassachusettsmichiganminnesotamississippimissourimontananebraskanevadanew-hampshirenew-jerseynew-mexiconew-yorknorth-carolinanorth-dakotaohiooregonpennsylvaniarhode-islandsouth-carolinasouth-dakotatennesseeutahvermontvirginiawashingtonwest-virginiawisconsinwyoming

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