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Species · West Virginia · BBS 2026 Release · 1966–2025

White-breasted Nuthatch Population Trend in West Virginia

All statesForest birds

White-breasted Nuthatch in West Virginia has surged: up 78% on the route-weighted index since 1968.

+78%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 →
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 West VirginiaNotable 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 West Virginia: up 78% on the route-weighted index since 1968.

White-breasted Nuthatch Population Forecast in West Virginia

If the recent trend holds, White-breasted Nuthatch in West Virginia is projected to rise about 66% by 2030 — from 3.3 in 2025 to a central estimate of 5.6 (95% range 3.7–7.4). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±29.1%, with 80% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

+66%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 →
5.6Projected 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 →
3.7–7.495% 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 →
±29.1%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 West Virginia is projected to rise about 66% by 2030 — from 3.3 in 2025 to a central estimate of 5.6 (95% range 3.7–7.4). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±29.1%, with 80% 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 →
20265.33.57.2
20275.43.57.3
20285.53.67.3
20295.53.77.4
20305.63.77.4

White-breasted Nuthatch Survey Routes in West Virginia

Routes recording White-breasted Nuthatch in West Virginia.
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 →
Hix1120251970
Josephs Mill1020241993
Breeden920241986
Rockport920251966
Rio919941974
Spencer820241986
Paradise820251966
Slate820251980
Fayetteville719961980
Smithfield720241993
Yellow Spg720231972
Sleepy Creek719901966
Smoot620251980
Pt Pleasant620251995
Monongah620221966
Henderson620232002
Pedro520251986
Hanover520251980
Welch520252002
Three Forks520251971
Richwood520251980
Mcdonald520231987
Greer520231967
Ringgold520252025
Bismark520251977

White-breasted Nuthatch Population Trend in Other States

alabamaarizonaarkansascaliforniacoloradoconnecticutdelawarefloridageorgiaidahoillinoisindianaiowakansaskentuckylouisianamainemarylandmassachusettsmichiganminnesotamississippimissourimontananebraskanevadanew-hampshirenew-jerseynew-mexiconew-yorknorth-carolinanorth-dakotaohiooklahomaoregonpennsylvaniarhode-islandsouth-carolinasouth-dakotatennesseetexasutahvermontvirginiawashingtonwisconsinwyoming

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