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

Indigo Bunting Population Trend in Colorado

All statesGeneralists

Indigo Bunting in Colorado has fallen sharply: down 64% on the route-weighted index since 1980.

-64%Since 1980TrendPercent 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 →
17Routes 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 →
27YearsYears surveyedNumber of years with at least one standard-protocol run in this geography. A longer record makes the trend more reliable.Full methodology →

Notable Indigo Bunting Trends in ColoradoNotable 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 →

Indigo Bunting has fallen sharply in Colorado: down 64% on the route-weighted index since 1980.

Indigo Bunting Population Forecast in Colorado

If the recent trend holds, Indigo Bunting in Colorado is projected to stay roughly flat through 2029, near 0.02 (95% range 0.00–0.09). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±57.8%, with 80% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

n/aChange 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 →
0.02Projected 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 →
0.00–0.0995% 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 →
±57.8%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 in Colorado is projected to stay roughly flat through 2029, near 0.02 (95% range 0.00–0.09). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±57.8%, with 80% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.19722029
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 →
20250.020.000.09
20260.020.000.09
20270.020.000.09
20280.020.000.09
20290.020.000.09

Indigo Bunting Survey Routes in Colorado

Routes recording Indigo Bunting in Colorado.
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 →
Cheesman Lk220062006
Haswell220102001
Wilson Creek120242024
Doyle Bridge 2120112007
Harmony120021978
Fruita120042003
Walsenburg120071995
Douglas Pass119881988
Rifle Falls120152015
Abarr119831983
Blackhead Pk119991999
Boyero119811981
Dolores119721972
Trinchera120151990
Doyle Bridge119951992
Two Buttes120052005
Groundhog Rs120142014

Indigo Bunting Population Trend in Other States

alabamaarizonaarkansascaliforniaconnecticutdelawarefloridageorgiaillinoisindianaiowakansaskentuckylouisianamainemarylandmassachusettsmichiganminnesotamississippimissourimontananebraskanevadanew-hampshirenew-jerseynew-mexiconew-yorknorth-carolinanorth-dakotaohiooklahomapennsylvaniarhode-islandsouth-carolinasouth-dakotatennesseetexasutahvermontvirginiawest-virginiawisconsinwyoming

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