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Species · Massachusetts · BBS 2025 Release · 1966–2024

White-breasted Nuthatch Population Trend in Massachusetts

All statesForest birds

White-breasted Nuthatch in Massachusetts has surged: up 351% on the route-weighted index since 1968.

+351%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 →
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 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 351% 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 43% by 2029 — from 6.4 in 2024 to a central estimate of 9.1 (95% range 6.6–12). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±12.3%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

+43%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 →
9.1Projected 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 →
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 →
±12.3%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 43% by 2029 — from 6.4 in 2024 to a central estimate of 9.1 (95% range 6.6–12). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±12.3%, with 100% 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 →
20258.66.111
20268.86.211
20278.96.411
20289.06.512
20299.16.612

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 →
Maynard3020221967
Newburyport1820221967
Littleton1520241967
Pittsfield1420161967
Holden1320241977
Marion1120241966
Brockton1120191967
S Barre1120241968
Warren920091969
Mansfield720241969
Belchertown720241967
N Orange720241968
Monterey620242019
N Oxford520241968
Ware River520221993
N. Andover520241995
E Dennis420211970
Chilmark419831969
Prattville420191966
Cummington 2320242015
E Pepperell219941967
Cummington220141968
Chesterfield220241967
Warren 2220242010
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 2026-05-22.