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Species · South Carolina · BBS 2026 Release · 1966–2025

Indigo Bunting Population Trend in South Carolina

All statesForest birds

Indigo Bunting in South Carolina has declined: down 41% on the route-weighted index since 1968.

-41%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 →
50Routes 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 →
59YearsYears 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 South CarolinaNotable 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 in South Carolina. See the full index history below.

Indigo Bunting Population Forecast in South Carolina

If the recent trend holds, Indigo Bunting in South Carolina is projected to rise about 32% by 2030 — from 11 in 2025 to a central estimate of 15 (95% range 5.9–23). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±68.6%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

+32%Change by 2030TrendPercent 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 →
15Projected 2030 indexProjected indexThe central forecast of the abundance index if the recent trend continues. A projection of the current trajectory, not a prediction.Full methodology →
5.9–2395% 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 →
±68.6%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 South Carolina is projected to rise about 32% by 2030 — from 11 in 2025 to a central estimate of 15 (95% range 5.9–23). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±68.6%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.19662030
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 →
2026156.624
2027156.424
2028156.324
2029156.123
2030155.923

Indigo Bunting Survey Routes in South Carolina

Routes recording Indigo Bunting in South Carolina.
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 →
Salem Xrd5520191982
Pendleton3019761966
Blacksburg2720131998
Campobello2520252010
Cauthens Xrd2420211982
Owings2320041992
Joanna2220251999
Pinewood2220191998
Holly Hill2120251972
Sandhills2120251994
Carvers Bay2020121998
Nixville2020251998
Nixonville1919951987
Greenwood1920251998
Coward1820251966
Little Mtn1819881966
Boiling Spgs1719791967
Rome1620251967
Landrum1619921972
Ward1520252017
Green Sea1420252010
Mount Pisgah1420251998
Bennettsville1420171998
Owings 21420252005
Kingstree1320102010

Indigo Bunting Population Trend in Other States

alabamaarizonaarkansascaliforniacoloradoconnecticutdelawarefloridageorgiaillinoisindianaiowakansaskentuckylouisianamainemarylandmassachusettsmichiganminnesotamississippimissourimontananebraskanevadanew-hampshirenew-jerseynew-mexiconew-yorknorth-carolinanorth-dakotaohiooklahomapennsylvaniarhode-islandsouth-dakotatennesseetexasutahvermontvirginiawest-virginiawisconsinwyoming

Source: USGS North American Breeding Bird Survey, retrieved 2026-08-14.