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

White-breasted Nuthatch Population Trend in Iowa

All statesForest birds

White-breasted Nuthatch in Iowa has surged: up 129% on the route-weighted index since 1969.

+129%Since 1969TrendPercent 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 →
34Routes 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 →
57YearsYears 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 IowaNotable 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 Iowa: up 129% on the route-weighted index since 1969.

White-breasted Nuthatch Population Forecast in Iowa

If the recent trend holds, White-breasted Nuthatch in Iowa is projected to stay roughly flat through 2029, near 0.85 (95% range 0.37–1.3). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±25.5%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

+4%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 →
0.85Projected 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 →
0.37–1.395% 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 →
±25.5%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 Iowa is projected to stay roughly flat through 2029, near 0.85 (95% range 0.37–1.3). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±25.5%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.19672029
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 →
20250.820.341.3
20260.830.351.3
20270.830.361.3
20280.840.361.3
20290.850.371.3

White-breasted Nuthatch Survey Routes in Iowa

Routes recording White-breasted Nuthatch in Iowa.
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 →
Red Rock920241969
Alice619991967
College Spgs 2420222009
Mt Hamill320241969
Bedford320161968
Prairieburg320151970
Washta320131970
Lafayette320242003
Wales220181978
Hudson220221968
Dinsdale220241986
Sioux City220231998
Exline120221974
Melrose120231975
College Spgs119891970
Bryant120101967
West Liberty120231968
Cedar Valley119901990
Brooklyn120191971
Williamsburg120211983
Panther120231968
Washington120231967
Neola119761972
Maquoketa120211972
Zearing119941968

White-breasted Nuthatch Population Trend in Other States

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

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