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Species · Iowa · BBS 2026 Release · 1966–2025

White-breasted Nuthatch Population Trend in Iowa

All statesForest birds

White-breasted Nuthatch in Iowa has surged: up 115% on the route-weighted index since 1969.

+115%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 →
58YearsYears 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 115% 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 2030, near 0.85 (95% range 0.38–1.3). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±17.7%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

+10%Change by 2030TrendPercent 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 2030 indexProjected indexThe central forecast of the abundance index if the recent trend continues. A projection of the current trajectory, not a prediction.Full methodology →
0.38–1.395% 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 →
±17.7%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 2030, near 0.85 (95% range 0.38–1.3). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±17.7%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.19672030
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 →
20260.820.351.3
20270.830.361.3
20280.840.361.3
20290.840.371.3
20300.850.381.3

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
Hudson620251968
Mt Hamill520251969
College Spgs 2420222009
Wales320251978
Prairieburg320151970
Dinsdale320251986
Washta320131970
Titonka320251968
Lafayette320242003
Sioux City220231998
Festina220251968
Exline120251974
Melrose120231975
Bedford120251968
College Spgs119891970
Bryant120101967
West Liberty120231968
Cedar Valley119901990
Brooklyn120191971
Williamsburg120211983
Panther120231968
Washington120231967
Neola119761972

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 2026-08-14.