BirdAnalyst
Species · BCR 35 · BBS 2025 Release · 1966–2024

Vesper Sparrow In Chihuahuan Desert

All regionsChihuahuan DesertGrassland birds

Vesper Sparrow in Chihuahuan Desert has collapsed: down 93% on the route-weighted index since 1980.

-93%Since 1980TrendPercent 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 →
3Routes 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 →
34YearsYears 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 →

Vesper Sparrow has collapsed in Chihuahuan Desert: down 93% on the route-weighted index since 1980.

Vesper Sparrow In Chihuahuan Desert Population Forecast

If the recent trend holds, Vesper Sparrow in Chihuahuan Desert is projected to stay roughly flat through 2029, near 0.00 (95% range 0.00–0.53). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±581.9%, 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 →
0.00Projected 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 →
0.00–0.5395% 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 →
±581.9%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, Vesper Sparrow in Chihuahuan Desert is projected to stay roughly flat through 2029, near 0.00 (95% range 0.00–0.53). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±581.9%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.19772029
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 →
20250.000.000.53
20260.000.000.53
20270.000.000.53
20280.000.000.53
20290.000.000.53

Routes In Chihuahuan Desert

Routes recording Vesper Sparrow in Chihuahuan Desert.
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 →
CarrizozoNEW-MEXICO22021
Capitan Mtn.NEW-MEXICO12017
PinonNEW-MEXICO12024

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