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Species · Montana · BBS 2025 Release · 1966–2024

White-breasted Nuthatch Population Trend in Montana

All statesForest birds

White-breasted Nuthatch in Montana has fallen sharply: down 74% on the route-weighted index since 1973.

-74%Since 1973TrendPercent 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 →
36Routes 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 →
46YearsYears 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 MontanaNotable 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 declinecomputed 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 fallen sharply in Montana: down 74% on the route-weighted index since 1973.

White-breasted Nuthatch Population Forecast in Montana

If the recent trend holds, White-breasted Nuthatch in Montana is projected to stay roughly flat through 2029, near 0.10 (95% range 0.00–0.33). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±126.7%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

n/aChange 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 →
0.10Projected 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 →
0.00–0.3395% 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 →
±126.7%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 Montana is projected to stay roughly flat through 2029, near 0.10 (95% range 0.00–0.33). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±126.7%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.19692029
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 →
20250.110.000.33
20260.100.000.33
20270.100.000.33
20280.100.000.33
20290.100.000.33

White-breasted Nuthatch Survey Routes in Montana

Routes recording White-breasted Nuthatch in Montana.
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 →
Polson720191989
Swan Lake620162015
Chuffey Spring520232018
Skalkaho319931992
Greenough220031999
Bull Mtn.220211995
St Regis220091981
Arlee220131969
Brandenberg220191973
Red Rock220032003
Thompson Riv220051993
Libby Dam119991981
Kalispell120182009
Victor120151993
Threemile Wa120241993
Pryor Mtn.120002000
Highwood120091977
Brusett119851985
Jordan120172012
Woodman119731969
Clinton119961996
Elliston119701970
Two Dot119871987
Shawmut119791979
Sula120221987

White-breasted Nuthatch Population Trend in Other States

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

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