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

White-breasted Nuthatch Population Trend in Colorado

All statesForest birds

White-breasted Nuthatch in Colorado has surged: up 210% on the route-weighted index since 1972.

+210%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 →
93Routes 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 →
52YearsYears surveyedNumber of years with at least one standard-protocol run in this geography. A longer record makes the trend more reliable.Full methodology →

Notable White-breasted Nuthatch Trends in ColoradoNotable 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 increasecomputed 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 →

White-breasted Nuthatch has surged in Colorado: up 210% on the route-weighted index since 1972.

White-breasted Nuthatch Population Forecast in Colorado

If the recent trend holds, White-breasted Nuthatch in Colorado is projected to rise about 59% by 2029 — from 0.61 in 2024 to a central estimate of 0.97 (95% range 0.55–1.4). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±65.1%, with 40% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

+59%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 →
0.97Projected 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 →
0.55–1.495% 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 →
±65.1%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, White-breasted Nuthatch in Colorado is projected to rise about 59% by 2029 — from 0.61 in 2024 to a central estimate of 0.97 (95% range 0.55–1.4). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±65.1%, with 40% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.19702029
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 →
20250.920.501.3
20260.930.511.3
20270.940.531.4
20280.950.541.4
20290.970.551.4

White-breasted Nuthatch Survey Routes in Colorado

Routes recording White-breasted Nuthatch in Colorado.
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 →
Animas 21020182005
Haycamp Mesa920241998
Parlin820171980
Cokedale820241995
Cheesman Lk520211970
Falfa520241972
Guffey520241993
Cortez 2520172009
Dolores419791974
Powderhorn420231995
Gold Hill420121998
Elbert420241998
Gardner420221998
Aspen320241980
Kiowa 2320222019
Cortez320081989
Buffalo Park320232001
Thomasville320181997
Walsenburg320241994
Nucla320242002
Ludlow320161998
Trail Ridge Road320072007
Gold Hill 2320242018
Kiowa220131992
Wray Gulch220181988

White-breasted Nuthatch Population Trend in Other States

alabamaarizonaarkansascaliforniaconnecticutdelawarefloridageorgiaidahoillinoisindianaiowakansaskentuckylouisianamainemarylandmassachusettsmichiganminnesotamississippimissourimontananebraskanevadanew-hampshirenew-jerseynew-mexiconew-yorknorth-carolinanorth-dakotaohiooklahomaoregonpennsylvaniarhode-islandsouth-carolinasouth-dakotatennesseetexasutahvermontvirginiawashingtonwest-virginiawisconsinwyoming

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