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Species · Washington · BBS 2025 Release · 1966–2024

White-breasted Nuthatch Population Trend in Washington

All statesForest birds

White-breasted Nuthatch in Washington has fallen sharply: down 71% on the route-weighted index since 1970.

-71%Since 1970TrendPercent 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 →
33Routes 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 →
55YearsYears 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 WashingtonNotable 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 Washington: down 71% on the route-weighted index since 1970.

White-breasted Nuthatch Population Forecast in Washington

If the recent trend holds, White-breasted Nuthatch in Washington is projected to fall about 27% by 2029 — from 0.28 in 2024 to a central estimate of 0.20 (95% range 0.00–0.65). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±27.3%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

-27%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 →
0.20Projected 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 →
0.00–0.6595% 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 →
±27.3%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 Washington is projected to fall about 27% by 2029 — from 0.28 in 2024 to a central estimate of 0.20 (95% range 0.00–0.65). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±27.3%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.19682029
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 →
20250.230.000.67
20260.220.000.67
20270.220.000.66
20280.210.000.66
20290.200.000.65

White-breasted Nuthatch Survey Routes in Washington

Routes recording White-breasted Nuthatch in Washington.
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 →
Omak Creek920241996
Ardenvoir819691969
Keller420061968
Asotin419711971
Blewett Pass320222004
Twisp220241969
Chewelah220211977
Turnbull Nwr220231995
Reardan220211972
Twin Lakes220221984
Carlton220191995
Nighthawk219921992
Mazama220212001
Deer Park220151994
L Pend O Nwr120231995
Rimrock120051985
Snowden120241982
Winthrop120191989
Tonasket120121999
Cusick120242000
Ronald120221989
Leavenworth120241985
Wilbur120181984
Ellensburg120241988
Spring Lake120191982

White-breasted Nuthatch Population Trend in Other States

alabamaarizonaarkansascaliforniacoloradoconnecticutdelawarefloridageorgiaidahoillinoisindianaiowakansaskentuckylouisianamainemarylandmassachusettsmichiganminnesotamississippimissourimontananebraskanevadanew-hampshirenew-jerseynew-mexiconew-yorknorth-carolinanorth-dakotaohiooklahomaoregonpennsylvaniarhode-islandsouth-carolinasouth-dakotatennesseetexasutahvermontvirginiawest-virginiawisconsinwyoming

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