The State of White-throated Sparrows in the Northeast United States
Rapidly declining
Population has overall decreased by 51% since 2010
White-throated Sparrow population changes, with 95% credible intervals, as based on Mountain Birdwatch monitoring data within each region from 2010-2025.
White-throated Sparrow numbers have likely been declining throughout our region for at least the last half-century. Mountain Birdwatch data indicate a steep overall population decline (mean annual trend = -4.7% per year, 95% credible interval = -5.14% to -4.25%) in the mountains of our region; this trend equates to an incredible greater than 50% decline between 2010 and 2025. These declines are prevalent throughout the region, but the steepest and most dramatic declines were observed in the Catskills of New York (see table below). At those rates of decline, White-throated Sparrow could be absent as a breeding species in the Catskills by 2060.
Predicted White-throated Sparrow adult density per approximate hectare, as estimated from Mountain Birdwatch data. The base map shows the extent of the Mountain Birdwatch region: eastern New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, and western Maine.
Population trends for White-throated Sparrow from 2010–2025 based on Mountain Birdwatch monitoring data. Values show the estimated mean annual population change (%) and the cumulative population change (%) since 2010, each with 95% Bayesian credible intervals (CRI). Colored dots indicate the direction and strength of evidence for a trend. Strong evidence occurs when the 95% CRI does not include zero. The probability of increase (0–1) reflects the proportion of model estimates indicating a positive population change.
| Region | Annual trend (%) | Trend (95% CRI) | Probability of increase | Population change (%) 2010-2025 | Population change (95% CRI) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All regions | ●-4.70 | (-5.14, -4.25) | <0.01 | -51.4 | (-54.7, -47.8) |
| Maine | ●-2.25 | (-2.97, -1.51) | <0.01 | -28.8 | (-36.4, -20.4) |
| New Hampshire | ●-5.61 | (-6.46, -4.75) | <0.01 | -57.9 | (-63.3, -51.8) |
| New York (Adirondacks) | ●-6.33 | (-7.36, -5.30) | <0.01 | -62.4 | (-68.2, -55.8) |
| New York (Catskills) | ●-14.00 | (-16.99, -11.07) | <0.01 | -89.2 | (-93.9, -82.8) |
| Vermont | ●-5.29 | (-6.26, -4.32) | <0.01 | -55.6 | (-62.1, -48.4) |
● strong decline
● weak decline
● weak increase
● strong increase
Globally: Declining
With a global population of ~140 million, the White-throated Sparrow remains an abundant species. However, USGS Breeding Bird Survey data estimate that this species’ population size has declined by >30% across North America over the last half century. The USGS Breeding Bird Survey data indicate a broad, long-term decline for White-throated Sparrows in the Eastern U.S. and Eastern Canada (where this species is most numerous), and a stable or increasing population trend for this species in the Western U.S. and Western Canada.
