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Species · Massachusetts · BBS 2026 Release · 1966–2025

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker Population Trend in Massachusetts

All statesForest birds

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker in Massachusetts has surged: up 520% on the route-weighted index since 1969.

+520%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 →
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 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 520% 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 rise about 40% by 2030 — from 2.3 in 2025 to a central estimate of 3.2 (95% range 1.9–4.4). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±21.6%, with 80% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

+40%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 →
3.2Projected 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 →
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 →
±21.6%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 rise about 40% by 2030 — from 2.3 in 2025 to a central estimate of 3.2 (95% range 1.9–4.4). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±21.6%, with 80% 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 →
20263.01.74.2
20273.01.84.3
20283.11.84.3
20293.11.94.4
20303.21.94.4

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 →
Pittsfield1520161967
Monterey1220252019
Chesterfield720251968
Sheffield720221970
Ware River620222003
N Orange620251971
Cummington 2620252015
Belchertown420252012
Cummington320141969
Hancock320151997
Warren220082004
Cheshire219941970
Newburyport119691969
S Barre120251992
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 2026-08-14.