BirdAnalyst
Species · BCR 35 · BBS 2025 Release · 1966–2024

White-throated Swift In Chihuahuan Desert

All regionsChihuahuan DesertAerial insectivores

White-throated Swift in Chihuahuan Desert has collapsed: down 94% on the route-weighted index since 1970.

-94%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 →
23Routes In RegionSurvey routesHow many standard-protocol BBS routes contributed counts. More routes means a steadier, better-sampled index; very thin coverage is suppressed.Full methodology →
47YearsYears surveyedNumber of years with at least one standard-protocol run in this geography. A longer record makes the trend more reliable.Full methodology →

Notable SignalsNotable 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-throated Swift has collapsed in Chihuahuan Desert: down 94% on the route-weighted index since 1970.

White-throated Swift In Chihuahuan Desert Population Forecast

If the recent trend holds, White-throated Swift in Chihuahuan Desert is projected to fall about 100% by 2029 — from 0.07 in 2024 to a central estimate of 0.00 (95% range 0.00–1.3). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±201.5%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

-100%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 →
0.00Projected 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 →
0.00–1.395% 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 →
±201.5%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-throated Swift in Chihuahuan Desert is projected to fall about 100% by 2029 — from 0.07 in 2024 to a central estimate of 0.00 (95% range 0.00–1.3). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±201.5%, 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 →
20250.000.001.3
20260.000.001.3
20270.000.001.3
20280.000.001.3
20290.000.001.3

Routes In Chihuahuan Desert

Routes recording White-throated Swift in Chihuahuan Desert.
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 →
Bear MtnTEXAS212011
Hot SpringsTEXAS92006
Hatchet PeakNEW-MEXICO82023
ValentineTEXAS51987
SlaughterTEXAS51999
CloudcroftNEW-MEXICO32021
QueenNEW-MEXICO22015
Delaware CrkTEXAS21971
Sierra BlancTEXAS22005
JornadaNEW-MEXICO12019
RodeoNEW-MEXICO11994
Red RockNEW-MEXICO12011
PinonNEW-MEXICO12003
EscondidaNEW-MEXICO12012
Sunshine WllNEW-MEXICO12023
Black GapTEXAS12011
CornudasTEXAS11970
Casa PiedraTEXAS11992
CastolonTEXAS12024
ToyahvaleTEXAS11998
Salt FlatTEXAS12006
CanutilloTEXAS12009
Chisos BasinTEXAS12024

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