Black Vulture Population Analysis
Black Vulture has surged: up 259% on the route-weighted index since 1968.
About the Black Vulture
The Black Vulture (Coragyps atratus) is a North American member of the New World Vultures (Cathartidae). In this analysis it is grouped with the birds of prey.
- Size
- 23.5–31.5 in long (60–80 cm) — a large soaring bird (typical for the family)
- Habitat
- Open country, woodlands, cliffs and wetlands, hunting from the air or a high perch.
- Diet
- Live prey — small mammals, birds, reptiles, fish and large insects (carrion for vultures).
- Range
- Recorded on 1,282 Breeding Bird Survey routes across 27 states, most concentrated in the Southeastern Coastal Plain.
- Family
- Cathartidae · Birds of prey
Notable Black Vulture TrendsNotable signalsLong-arc shifts the engine flags automatically — sustained declines or increases large enough to stand out from year-to-year noise.Full methodology →
Black Vulture has surged in surveyed states: up 259% on the route-weighted index since 1968.
Black Vulture Population Forecast
If the recent trend holds, Black Vulture is projected to rise about 25% by 2030 — from 1.4 in 2025 to a central estimate of 1.8 (95% range 1.4–2.1). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±11.2%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.
Where the Black Vulture Is Detected
BBS routes recording Black Vulture, sized by most recent count.
Black Vulture Population Trend by State
Black Vulture Population Trend by Region
Bird Conservation Regions are the ecological unit for trends.
Black Vulture Conservation Status
Our route-weighted index shows it up about 259% since 1968.
Source: USGS North American Breeding Bird Survey, retrieved 2026-08-14. Trend is a route-weighted relative-abundance index, not an absolute population.