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

White-breasted Nuthatch Population Trend in Illinois

All statesForest birds

White-breasted Nuthatch in Illinois has surged: up 688% on the route-weighted index since 1968.

+688%Since 1968
103Routes In State
58Years

Notable White-breasted Nuthatch Trends in Illinois

long arc increasecomputed index

White-breasted Nuthatch has surged in Illinois: up 688% on the route-weighted index since 1968.

White-breasted Nuthatch Population Forecast in Illinois

If the recent trend holds, White-breasted Nuthatch in Illinois is projected to stay roughly flat through 2029, near 2.4 (95% range 1.8–3.1). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±11.9%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

-1%Change by 2029
2.4Projected 2029 index
1.8–3.195% range
±11.9%Backtest error
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 index95% low95% high
20252.31.62.9
20262.31.73.0
20272.31.73.0
20282.41.73.0
20292.41.83.1

White-breasted Nuthatch Survey Routes in Illinois

Routes recording White-breasted Nuthatch in Illinois.
Bremen1720241970
Sandusky1220231993
Cave In Rock1220241993
Pulaski1020241975
Deer Creek920241969
Bradbury920241983
Delwood920241970
Belleview820241968
Wayne720241971
St Morgan720221980
Sheffield620241966
Columbia620231968
Mascoutah Lk620241981
Mt Vernon620241972
York620241994
Royalton620242001
Guilford520221973
Mill Creek520241967
Humboldt520241988
Geneseo420171968
Buda420231979
Stillwell420231976
Beaverdam Lk420231970
Shannon420241993
Lake Summerset420222001

White-breasted Nuthatch Population Trend in Other States

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

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