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Species · Connecticut · BBS 2026 Release · 1966–2025

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker Population Trend in Connecticut

All statesForest birds

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker in Connecticut has surged: up 437% on the route-weighted index since 1974.

+437%Since 1974TrendPercent 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 →
16Routes 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 →
50YearsYears surveyedNumber of years with at least one standard-protocol run in this geography. A longer record makes the trend more reliable.Full methodology →

Notable Yellow-bellied Sapsucker Trends in ConnecticutNotable 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 →

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker has surged in Connecticut: up 437% on the route-weighted index since 1974.

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker Population Forecast in Connecticut

If the recent trend holds, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker in Connecticut is projected to rise about 28% by 2030 — from 3.4 in 2025 to a central estimate of 4.3 (95% range 2.1–6.5). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±37%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

+28%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 →
4.3Projected 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 →
2.1–6.595% 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 →
±37%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, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker in Connecticut is projected to rise about 28% by 2030 — from 3.4 in 2025 to a central estimate of 4.3 (95% range 2.1–6.5). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±37%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.19672030
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 →
20264.01.86.2
20274.11.96.3
20284.22.06.4
20294.22.06.4
20304.32.16.5

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker Survey Routes in Connecticut

Routes recording Yellow-bellied Sapsucker in Connecticut.
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 →
Warren2420111974
Warren 21220252013
No Woodbury620251967
Woodstock 2620252017
Sherman520191976
New Hartford419851976
Buckingham220222022
New Hartford220241994
Long Hill220182010
Granby220251988
Mystic120212017
E Hartland119891967
Uncasville120141993
Danbury120231976
Mid Haddam120231989
Southington120252005

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker Population Trend in Other States

alaskaillinoisiowamainemarylandmassachusettsmichiganminnesotanew-hampshirenew-jerseynew-mexiconew-yorknorth-carolinanorth-dakotaohiopennsylvaniarhode-islandsouth-dakotatennesseeutahvermontvirginiawest-virginiawisconsin

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