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Species · Massachusetts · BBS 2026 Release · 1966–2025

White-breasted Nuthatch Population Trend in Massachusetts

All statesForest birds

White-breasted Nuthatch in Massachusetts has surged: up 317% on the route-weighted index since 1968.

+317%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 →
32Routes 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 →
59YearsYears 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 MassachusettsNotable 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 Massachusetts: up 317% on the route-weighted index since 1968.

White-breasted Nuthatch Population Forecast in Massachusetts

If the recent trend holds, White-breasted Nuthatch in Massachusetts is projected to rise about 28% by 2030 — from 7.1 in 2025 to a central estimate of 9.1 (95% range 6.6–12). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±16.4%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

+28%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 →
9.1Projected 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 →
6.6–1295% 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 Massachusetts is projected to rise about 28% by 2030 — from 7.1 in 2025 to a central estimate of 9.1 (95% range 6.6–12). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±16.4%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.19662030
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 →
20268.66.111
20278.86.311
20288.96.411
20299.06.512
20309.16.612

White-breasted Nuthatch Survey Routes in Massachusetts

Routes recording White-breasted Nuthatch in Massachusetts.
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 →
Newburyport1820221967
Maynard1820251967
Belchertown1720251967
Pittsfield1420161967
Littleton1220251967
Brockton1120191967
Marion1020251966
Warren920091969
N. Andover920251995
Mansfield820251969
N Orange820251968
N Oxford720251968
Holden720251977
S Barre620251968
Ware River520221993
E Dennis420211970
Chilmark419831969
Prattville420191966
Wellfleet 2420252016
E Pepperell219941967
Cummington220141968
Monterey220252019
Warren 2220252010
Cummington 2220252015
Hancock220151997

White-breasted Nuthatch Population Trend in Other States

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

Source: USGS North American Breeding Bird Survey, retrieved 2026-08-14.