BirdAnalyst
Species · BBS 2025 Release · 1966–2024

Veery

TurdidaeForest birdsCatharus fuscescens

Veery has declined: down 44% on the route-weighted index since 1968.

-44%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 →
1,004RoutesSurvey routesHow many standard-protocol BBS routes contributed counts. More routes means a steadier, better-sampled index; very thin coverage is suppressed.Full methodology →
58Years SurveyedYears surveyedNumber of years with at least one standard-protocol run in this geography. A longer record makes the trend more reliable.Full methodology →

About the Veery

The Veery (Catharus fuscescens) is a North American member of the Thrushes (Turdidae). In this analysis it is grouped with the forest birds.

Size
6–11 in long (15–28 cm) — a medium songbird (typical for the family)
Habitat
Woodlands and forest edges, including wooded suburbs and parks.
Diet
Insects and spiders gleaned from foliage and bark, with seeds and berries in season.
Range
Recorded on 1,004 Breeding Bird Survey routes across 36 states, most concentrated in the Appalachian Mountains.
Family
Turdidae · Forest birds

Notable Veery TrendsNotable 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 Veery. See the full index history below.

Veery Population Forecast

If the recent trend holds, Veery is projected to fall about 42% by 2029 — from 1.5 in 2024 to a central estimate of 0.87 (95% range 0.43–1.3). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±30.4%, with 60% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

-42%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 →
0.87Projected 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 →
0.43–1.395% 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 →
±30.4%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, Veery is projected to fall about 42% by 2029 — from 1.5 in 2024 to a central estimate of 0.87 (95% range 0.43–1.3). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±30.4%, with 60% 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 →
20250.970.531.4
20260.940.501.4
20270.920.481.4
20280.890.451.3
20290.870.431.3

Where the Veery Is Detected

BBS routes recording Veery, sized by most recent count.

Veery Population Trend by State

Veery population trend by state.
TrendPercent 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 →Baseline yearThe first year of the smoothed window the trend is measured from. An earlier baseline means a longer record stands behind the number.Full methodology →Survey routesHow many standard-protocol BBS routes contributed counts. More routes means a steadier, better-sampled index; very thin coverage is suppressed.Full methodology →
Alabamainsufficient datan/a1
Alaskainsufficient datan/a1
Colorado-87%197018
Connecticut+16%196820
Delawareinsufficient datan/a2
Georgiainsufficient datan/a1
Idaho+17%197226
Illinoisinsufficient datan/a5
Indiana-21%198110
Kentuckyinsufficient datan/a1
Maine-44%196877
Maryland-69%196827
Massachusetts+51%196830
Michigan-10%1968101
Minnesota+12%196964
Montana-66%197042
Nebraskainsufficient datan/a1
New Hampshire-58%196826
New Jersey+872%197022
New Mexicoinsufficient datan/a1
New York-39%1968126
North Carolina+162%197714
North Dakota+9%19699
Ohio+112%196820
Oregon-83%197111
Pennsylvania+93%1968113
Rhode Island+15%19685
South Dakota-30%19945
Tennessee+147%19914
Utahinsufficient datan/a3
Vermont-43%196826
Virginia39×197723
Washington-62%197033
West Virginia11×197621
Wisconsin+12%196885
Wyoming-6%197430

Veery Population Trend by Region

Bird Conservation Regions are the ecological unit for trends.

Veery population trend by Bird Conservation Region.
TrendPercent 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 →Baseline yearThe first year of the smoothed window the trend is measured from. An earlier baseline means a longer record stands behind the number.Full methodology →Survey routesHow many standard-protocol BBS routes contributed counts. More routes means a steadier, better-sampled index; very thin coverage is suppressed.Full methodology →
Great Basin-62%197032
Northern Rockies-70%197091
Prairie Potholes+23%196920
Boreal Hardwood Transition+8%1968126
Lower Great Lakes / St. Lawrence Plain-30%196878
Atlantic Northern Forest-55%1968155
Southern Rockies / Colorado Plateau-66%197026
Badlands and Prairies+57%197818
Eastern Tallgrass Prairie-75%198113
Prairie Hardwood Transition+17%1968122
Appalachian Mountains+37%1968212
Piedmont+111%196936
New England / Mid-Atlantic Coast+43%196872

Veery Conservation Status

Our route-weighted index shows it down about 44% since 1968.

Source: USGS North American Breeding Bird Survey, retrieved 2026-05-22. Trend is a route-weighted relative-abundance index, not an absolute population.