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Species · Massachusetts · BBS 2025 Release · 1966–2024

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker Population Trend in Massachusetts

All statesForest birds

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker in Massachusetts has surged: up 566% on the route-weighted index since 1969.

+566%Since 1969TrendPercent 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 →
57YearsYears 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 MassachusettsNotable 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 Massachusetts: up 566% on the route-weighted index since 1969.

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker Population Forecast in Massachusetts

If the recent trend holds, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker in Massachusetts is projected to fall about 38% by 2029 — from 5.1 in 2024 to a central estimate of 3.2 (95% range 1.9–4.4). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±21.7%, with 80% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

-38%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 →
3.2Projected 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 →
1.9–4.495% 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 →
±21.7%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, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker in Massachusetts is projected to fall about 38% by 2029 — from 5.1 in 2024 to a central estimate of 3.2 (95% range 1.9–4.4). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±21.7%, with 80% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.19672029
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 →
20253.01.84.2
20263.01.84.3
20273.11.84.3
20283.11.94.4
20293.21.94.4

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker Survey Routes in Massachusetts

Routes recording Yellow-bellied Sapsucker in Massachusetts.
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 →
Chesterfield3420241968
Cummington 22120242015
Pittsfield1520161967
N Orange1020241971
Sheffield720221970
Ware River620222003
Belchertown420242012
Monterey420242019
Cummington320141969
Hancock320151997
Warren220082004
S Barre220241992
Cheshire219941970
Newburyport119691969
Holden120242003
Warren 2120242010

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker Population Trend in Other States

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

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