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

Western Bluebird In Chihuahuan Desert

All regionsChihuahuan DesertForest birds

Western Bluebird in Chihuahuan Desert has collapsed: down 80% on the route-weighted index since 1972.

-80%Since 1972TrendPercent 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 →
10Routes 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 →
48YearsYears 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 →

Western Bluebird has collapsed in Chihuahuan Desert: down 80% on the route-weighted index since 1972.

Western Bluebird In Chihuahuan Desert Population Forecast

If the recent trend holds, Western Bluebird in Chihuahuan Desert is projected to rise about 135% by 2029 — from 0.14 in 2024 to a central estimate of 0.32 (95% range 0.00–1.1). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±569.3%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

+135%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 →
0.32Projected 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 →
0.00–1.195% 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 →
±569.3%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, Western Bluebird in Chihuahuan Desert is projected to rise about 135% by 2029 — from 0.14 in 2024 to a central estimate of 0.32 (95% range 0.00–1.1). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±569.3%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.19692029
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 →
20250.340.001.1
20260.340.001.1
20270.330.001.1
20280.330.001.1
20290.320.001.1

Routes In Chihuahuan Desert

Routes recording Western Bluebird 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 →
ValentineTEXAS61986
PinonNEW-MEXICO32024
Bear MtnTEXAS22013
CarrizozoNEW-MEXICO12019
RoswellNEW-MEXICO11972
CloudcroftNEW-MEXICO12024
Capitan Mtn.NEW-MEXICO12017
QueenNEW-MEXICO12002
Ft. DavisTEXAS12008
Quitman Canyon 2TEXAS12011

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