The most reliable source of data for the Chipping Sparrow is the Breeding Bird Survey (BBS), although the survey does not provide good coverage of the species' extensive northern breeding population. BBS results suggest a loss in abundance of about 21% since 1970, a loss that is still within the magnitude considered to be "little change". However, that rate of decrease is higher during the most recent decade period (2006-2016). Regional trends vary from decreases in some Bird Conservation Regions (BCRs), to stable or slightly increasing populations in others; these variations are not unexpected given the species' wide range. All BCRs for which there are sufficiently reliable BBS data are shown below. BBS results from throughout North America indicate the species' population has remained stable at the continental level. The Chipping Sparrow is at an acceptable level relative to its national population goal (see Canada graph below).
Additional information on: Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) - Canadian analysis
