BirdAnalyst
Species · BBS 2025 Release · 1966–2024

Indigo Bunting

CardinalidaeForest birdsPasserina cyanea

Indigo Bunting has declined: down 33% on the route-weighted index since 1968.

-33%Since 1968TrendPercent 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 →
2,651RoutesSurvey routesHow many standard-protocol BBS routes contributed counts. More routes means a steadier, better-sampled index; very thin coverage is suppressed.Full methodology →
58Years SurveyedYears surveyedNumber of years with at least one standard-protocol run in this geography. A longer record makes the trend more reliable.Full methodology →

About the Indigo Bunting

A small finch-like songbird whose breeding males glow brilliant blue, the Indigo Bunting sings from roadside and woodland-edge perches all summer.

Size
4.5–5 in long, about 0.5 oz (12–13 cm, 15 g)
Habitat
Woodlands and forest edges, including wooded suburbs and parks.
Diet
Insects and seeds, including small grains and berries.
Range
Recorded on 2,651 Breeding Bird Survey routes across 45 states, most concentrated in the Appalachian Mountains.
Family
Cardinalidae · Forest birds
Conservation
Least Concern

Notable Indigo Bunting TrendsNotable signalsLong-arc shifts the engine flags automatically — sustained declines or increases large enough to stand out from year-to-year noise.Full methodology →

No notable trend signals for Indigo Bunting. See the full index history below.

Indigo Bunting Population Forecast

If the recent trend holds, Indigo Bunting is projected to stay roughly flat through 2029, near 9.6 (95% range 7.2–12). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±3%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

-4%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 →
9.6Projected 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 →
7.2–1295% 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 →
±3%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, Indigo Bunting is projected to stay roughly flat through 2029, near 9.6 (95% range 7.2–12). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±3%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.19662029
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 →
20259.87.412
20269.87.312
20279.77.312
20289.77.212
20299.67.212

Where the Indigo Bunting Is Detected

BBS routes recording Indigo Bunting, sized by most recent count.

Indigo Bunting Population Trend by State

Indigo Bunting population trend by state.
TrendPercent 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 →Baseline yearThe first year of the smoothed window the trend is measured from. An earlier baseline means a longer record stands behind the number.Full methodology →Survey routesHow many standard-protocol BBS routes contributed counts. More routes means a steadier, better-sampled index; very thin coverage is suppressed.Full methodology →
Alabama-22%1968108
Arizona-68%197711
Arkansas+52%196962
California-22%197318
Colorado-64%198017
Connecticut-14%196820
Delaware+197%196817
Florida-45%196865
Georgia-18%1968111
Illinois+88%1968105
Indiana-22%196869
Iowa+79%196939
Kansas+395%196959
Kentucky-38%196864
Louisiana+149%196994
Maine+283%196858
Maryland+20%196876
Massachusetts+85%196830
Michigan+18%1968107
Minnesota+6%196986
Mississippi+160%196874
Missouri+94%196995
Montanainsufficient datan/a2
Nebraska+84%196955
Nevadainsufficient datan/a3
New Hampshire+192%196826
New Jersey+17%196840
New Mexico-77%197426
New York+42%1968128
North Carolina-23%1968112
North Dakota+10%196919
Ohio+13%196889
Oklahoma+77%196966
Pennsylvania+15%1968138
Rhode Island+272%19695
South Carolina-42%196850
South Dakota+106%197027
Tennessee-8%196855
Texas+34%1969134
Utah-50%20038
Vermont+33%196826
Virginia-10%196888
West Virginia-50%196863
Wisconsin+51%196898
Wyoming-53%19868

Indigo Bunting Population Trend by Region

Bird Conservation Regions are the ecological unit for trends.

Indigo Bunting population trend by Bird Conservation Region.
TrendPercent 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 →Baseline yearThe first year of the smoothed window the trend is measured from. An earlier baseline means a longer record stands behind the number.Full methodology →Survey routesHow many standard-protocol BBS routes contributed counts. More routes means a steadier, better-sampled index; very thin coverage is suppressed.Full methodology →
Prairie Potholes+17%196970
Boreal Hardwood Transition+15%1968122
Lower Great Lakes / St. Lawrence Plain+64%196886
Atlantic Northern Forest+87%1968136
Southern Rockies / Colorado Plateau-61%197328
Badlands and Prairies-26%197028
Shortgrass Prairie-74%197528
Central Mixed Grass Prairie+209%1969102
Edwards Plateau+161%197314
Oaks and Prairies+76%196963
Eastern Tallgrass Prairie+66%1968278
Prairie Hardwood Transition+40%1968161
Central Hardwoods-25%1968166
West Gulf Coastal Plain / Ouachitas+56%1969110
Mississippi Alluvial Valley+6%196871
Southeastern Coastal Plain+12%1968340
Appalachian Mountains-29%1968405
Piedmont-16%1968171
New England / Mid-Atlantic Coast+8%1968156
Peninsular Florida-51%196824
Sierra Madre Occidental-73%197711
Chihuahuan Desert-66%199212
Tamaulipan Brushlands-64%197115
Gulf Coastal Prairie-37%196932

Indigo Bunting Conservation Status

Least Concern

The IUCN Red List rates this species as Least Concern. Our route-weighted index shows it down about 33% since 1968.

Source: USGS North American Breeding Bird Survey, retrieved 2026-05-22. Trend is a route-weighted relative-abundance index, not an absolute population.