BirdAnalyst
Species · Indiana · BBS 2025 Release · 1966–2024

Common Nighthawk Population Trend in Indiana

All statesAerial insectivores

Common Nighthawk in Indiana has fallen sharply: down 53% on the route-weighted index since 1977.

-53%Since 1977TrendPercent 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 →
21Routes 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 →
38YearsYears surveyedNumber of years with at least one standard-protocol run in this geography. A longer record makes the trend more reliable.Full methodology →

Notable Common Nighthawk Trends in IndianaNotable 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 declinecomputed 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 →

Common Nighthawk has fallen sharply in Indiana: down 53% on the route-weighted index since 1977.

Common Nighthawk Population Forecast in Indiana

If the recent trend holds, Common Nighthawk in Indiana is projected to fall about 92% by 2029 — from 0.09 in 2024 to a central estimate of 0.01 (95% range 0.00–0.08). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±59.9%, with 80% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

-92%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 →
0.01Projected 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 →
0.00–0.0895% 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 →
±59.9%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, Common Nighthawk in Indiana is projected to fall about 92% by 2029 — from 0.09 in 2024 to a central estimate of 0.01 (95% range 0.00–0.08). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±59.9%, with 80% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.19752029
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 →
20250.010.000.09
20260.010.000.09
20270.010.000.09
20280.010.000.09
20290.010.000.08

Common Nighthawk Survey Routes in Indiana

Routes recording Common Nighthawk in Indiana.
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 →
Gary319941980
Milroy320241979
South Bend119841977
Knox119901990
Indiana Dune120041993
Middlebury119911991
Columbia Cty120142014
Ellis119751975
Fowler120141992
Monticello119931981
Galveston119831983
Middletown119771976
Swayzee120011986
Brazil119921978
Friendswood120242024
Celestine119871987
Clear Spring120222009
Corydon120031984
Evansville120141979
Lagrange120242024
Anderson120002000

Common Nighthawk Population Trend in Other States

alabamaalaskaarizonaarkansascaliforniacoloradoconnecticutdelawarefloridageorgiaidahoillinoisiowakansaskentuckylouisianamainemarylandmassachusettsmichiganminnesotamississippimissourimontananebraskanevadanew-hampshirenew-jerseynew-mexiconew-yorknorth-carolinanorth-dakotaohiooklahomaoregonpennsylvaniarhode-islandsouth-carolinasouth-dakotatennesseetexasutahvermontvirginiawashingtonwest-virginiawisconsinwyoming

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