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

Song Sparrow Population Trend in Massachusetts

All statesGeneralists

Song Sparrow in Massachusetts has held roughly steady: up 5% on the route-weighted index since 1968.

+5%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 →
32Routes 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 →
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 Song Sparrow Trends in MassachusettsNotable signalsLong-arc shifts the engine flags automatically — sustained declines or increases large enough to stand out from year-to-year noise.Full methodology →

No notable trend signals for Song Sparrow in Massachusetts. See the full index history below.

Song Sparrow Population Forecast in Massachusetts

If the recent trend holds, Song Sparrow in Massachusetts is projected to fall about 41% by 2029 — from 29 in 2024 to a central estimate of 17 (95% range 8.8–25). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±44.3%, with 0% 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 →
17Projected 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 →
8.8–2595% 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 →
±44.3%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 Massachusetts is projected to fall about 41% by 2029 — from 29 in 2024 to a central estimate of 17 (95% range 8.8–25). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±44.3%, 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 →
2025179.326
2026179.226
2027179.025
2028178.925
2029178.825

Song Sparrow Survey Routes in Massachusetts

Routes recording Song Sparrow in Massachusetts.
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 →
Mansfield5220241968
Wellfleet 25220242016
Belchertown5020241967
Brockton4720191967
Warren 23720242010
Pittsfield3620161967
Monterey3420242019
Chilmark3319831969
Newburyport3320221967
S Barre3220241968
Chesterfield3220241967
E Dennis3120211967
Cheshire2519941969
Marion2420241966
Princeton2319761969
Gay Head2320241996
Sheffield2120221969
Cummington 22120242015
Holden2020241977
Prattville1920191966
Maynard1820221967
Hancock1720151997
Warren1620091968
N. Andover1620241995
N Oxford1420241968

Song Sparrow Population Trend in Other States

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

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