Species · BBS 2025 Release · 1966–2024

Worm-eating Warbler

ParulidaeForest birdsHelmitheros vermivorum

Worm-eating Warbler has surged: up 104% on the route-weighted index since 1968.

About the Worm-eating Warbler

The Worm-eating Warbler (Helmitheros vermivorum) is a North American member of the Wood-Warblers (Parulidae). In this analysis it is grouped with the forest birds.

Size
4.5–5.5 in long (11–14 cm) — a small, active songbird (typical for the family)
Habitat
Woodlands and forest edges, including wooded suburbs and parks.
Diet
Insects and spiders gleaned from foliage and bark, with seeds and berries in season.
Range
Recorded on 797 Breeding Bird Survey routes across 28 states, most concentrated in the Appalachian Mountains.
Family
Parulidae · Forest birds

Notable Worm-eating Warbler TrendsNotable signalsLong-arc shifts the engine flags automatically — sustained declines or increases large enough to stand out from year-to-year noise.Full methodology →

Worm-eating Warbler has surged in surveyed states: up 104% on the route-weighted index since 1968.

Worm-eating Warbler Population Forecast

If the recent trend holds, Worm-eating Warbler is projected to rise about 37% by 2029 — from 0.18 in 2024 to a central estimate of 0.25 (95% range 0.18–0.32). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±23.5%, with 80% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

If the recent trend holds, Worm-eating Warbler is projected to rise about 37% by 2029 — from 0.18 in 2024 to a central estimate of 0.25 (95% range 0.18–0.32). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±23.5%, with 80% 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 →
20250.240.170.31
20260.240.170.31
20270.240.170.31
20280.250.180.32
20290.250.180.32

Where the Worm-eating Warbler Is Detected

BBS routes recording Worm-eating Warbler, sized by most recent count.

Worm-eating Warbler Population Trend by State

Worm-eating Warbler population trend by state.
TrendPercent 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 →Baseline yearThe first year of the smoothed window the trend is measured from. An earlier baseline means a longer record stands behind the number.Full methodology →Survey routesHow many standard-protocol BBS routes contributed counts. More routes means a steadier, better-sampled index; very thin coverage is suppressed.Full methodology →
Alabama+346%196861
Arkansas-30%196933
Connecticut+568%197217
Delaware+442%197113
Georgia-13%197516
Illinois+63%198312
Indiana+90%197312
Iowainsufficient datan/a1
Kentucky+69%196843
Louisiana+227%196930
Maryland+699%196864
Massachusetts+93%19925
Mississippi+194%197632
Missouri+204%197636
New Hampshireinsufficient datan/a1
New Jersey+313%197922
New York-25%197024
North Carolina+129%197159
Ohio21×198024
Oklahoma-7%19729
Pennsylvania+142%196886
Rhode Island+233%19923
South Carolina-47%19968
Tennessee+146%196840
Texas-2%197812
Virginia+408%196872
West Virginia-38%196861
Wisconsininsufficient datan/a1

Worm-eating Warbler Population Trend by Region

Bird Conservation Regions are the ecological unit for trends.

Worm-eating Warbler population trend by Bird Conservation Region.
TrendPercent 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 →Baseline yearThe first year of the smoothed window the trend is measured from. An earlier baseline means a longer record stands behind the number.Full methodology →Survey routesHow many standard-protocol BBS routes contributed counts. More routes means a steadier, better-sampled index; very thin coverage is suppressed.Full methodology →
Lower Great Lakes / St. Lawrence Plain+0%19707
Atlantic Northern Forest+1%19819
Eastern Tallgrass Prairie-1%198218
Central Hardwoods+150%1968100
West Gulf Coastal Plain / Ouachitas-27%196965
Mississippi Alluvial Valley-2%19787
Southeastern Coastal Plain+775%1969115
Appalachian Mountains+213%1968310
Piedmont+111%196965
New England / Mid-Atlantic Coast+547%196897

Worm-eating Warbler Conservation Status

Our route-weighted index shows it up about 104% since 1968.

Source: USGS North American Breeding Bird Survey, retrieved 2026-05-22. Trend is a route-weighted relative-abundance index, not an absolute population.