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

Vesper Sparrow Population Trend in Montana

All statesGrassland birds

Vesper Sparrow in Montana has risen sharply: up 70% on the route-weighted index since 1970.

+70%Since 1970
105Routes In State
56Years

Notable Vesper Sparrow Trends in Montana

long arc increasecomputed index

Vesper Sparrow has risen sharply in Montana: up 70% on the route-weighted index since 1970.

Vesper Sparrow Population Forecast in Montana

If the recent trend holds, Vesper Sparrow in Montana is projected to fall about 10% by 2029 — from 32 in 2024 to a central estimate of 28 (95% range 18–39). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±8.9%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

-10%Change by 2029
28Projected 2029 index
18–3995% range
±8.9%Backtest error
19682029
Projection of the recent trend (dashed) with 80/95% bands — a projection, not a prediction. Habitat, climate, and land use are not modeled.
YearProjected index95% low95% high
2025281838
2026281838
2027281838
2028281839
2029281839

Vesper Sparrow Survey Routes in Montana

Routes recording Vesper Sparrow in Montana.
Redstone18420241975
Whitlash13220242009
Polson13120241972
Beaverhead10120241973
Boulder10020241969
Custer9920222019
Wolf Creek8820222015
Custer 28720242024
Augusta8620241976
Shawmut8520241979
Freeman Creek8120162015
Fort Logan8020242018
Hay Lake7420221988
Westby7120242015
Heart Butte7020242015
Brusett6620241982
Winnett6620232017
Sunburst6220071970
St. Mary 26020242009
St Mary5720081972
Brunzell Slough5720242015
Leroy5620241970
Two Dot5520241976
Roundup5520242016
Cleveland5420241979

Vesper Sparrow Population Trend in Other States

arizonacaliforniacoloradoconnecticutdelawareidahoillinoisindianaiowakansaskentuckymainemarylandmassachusettsmichiganminnesotamissourinebraskanevadanew-hampshirenew-jerseynew-mexiconew-yorknorth-carolinanorth-dakotaohiooklahomaoregonpennsylvaniasouth-dakotatennesseetexasutahvermontvirginiawashingtonwest-virginiawisconsinwyoming

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