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Species · West Virginia · BBS 2025 Release · 1966–2024

White-breasted Nuthatch Population Trend in West Virginia

All statesForest birds

White-breasted Nuthatch in West Virginia has surged: up 100% on the route-weighted index since 1968.

+100%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 →
63Routes 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 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 100% 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 22% by 2029 — from 4.6 in 2024 to a central estimate of 5.7 (95% range 3.9–7.5). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±35.7%, with 60% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

+22%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 →
5.7Projected 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 →
3.9–7.595% 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 →
±35.7%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 West Virginia is projected to rise about 22% by 2029 — from 4.6 in 2024 to a central estimate of 5.7 (95% range 3.9–7.5). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±35.7%, with 60% 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 →
20255.43.67.2
20265.53.77.3
20275.53.77.3
20285.63.87.4
20295.73.97.5

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 →
Shanghai2620221995
Clear Creek1620241995
Washburn1620221974
Hix1220241970
Clinton1120241966
Hubbardstown1020231971
Josephs Mill1020241993
Hanover920241980
Breeden920241986
Rio919941974
Smoot820241980
Ghent820241978
Slate820241980
Bismark820231977
Fayetteville719961980
Smithfield720241993
Yellow Spg720231972
Sleepy Creek719901966
Bramwell620221978
Spencer620231986
Rockport620241966
Monongah620221966
Meadowville620241976
Lost River620231996
Henderson620232002

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 2026-05-22.