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Species · Maine · BBS 2025 Release · 1966–2024

White-breasted Nuthatch Population Trend in Maine

All statesForest birds

White-breasted Nuthatch in Maine has surged: up 257% on the route-weighted index since 1968.

+257%Since 1968TrendPercent 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 →
64Routes 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 MaineNotable 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 Maine: up 257% on the route-weighted index since 1968.

White-breasted Nuthatch Population Forecast in Maine

If the recent trend holds, White-breasted Nuthatch in Maine is projected to fall about 29% by 2029 — from 3.7 in 2024 to a central estimate of 2.6 (95% range 1.7–3.6). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±16.4%, with 80% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

-29%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 →
2.6Projected 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 →
1.7–3.695% 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 →
±16.4%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 Maine is projected to fall about 29% by 2029 — from 3.7 in 2024 to a central estimate of 2.6 (95% range 1.7–3.6). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±16.4%, with 80% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.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 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 →
20252.51.53.4
20262.51.63.5
20272.51.63.5
20282.61.63.5
20292.61.73.6

White-breasted Nuthatch Survey Routes in Maine

Routes recording White-breasted Nuthatch in Maine.
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 →
Westbrook1420241977
Bowdoin Ctr1420211976
Brooks1120191983
Cape Neddick1020231973
Greenwood820241972
Hermon820191988
Turner 2820242011
Cornville620242012
Newcastle520241977
Turner520101972
Manchester519951971
Benedicta520221993
Hudson519991973
East Troy420191973
Brownfield 2420242010
Charleston420191975
Searsport420242002
Topsfield419921990
Reeds320241992
Otisfield Gr320151971
Freedom320221973
Harmony320241967
Eastbrook320241972
Baxter319791979
Winn320221999

White-breasted Nuthatch Population Trend in Other States

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

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