BirdAnalyst
Species · West Virginia · BBS 2026 Release · 1966–2025

Indigo Bunting Population Trend in West Virginia

All statesForest birds

Indigo Bunting in West Virginia has declined: down 48% on the route-weighted index since 1968.

-48%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 →
64Routes 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 West VirginiaNotable 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 West Virginia. See the full index history below.

Indigo Bunting Population Forecast in West Virginia

If the recent trend holds, Indigo Bunting in West Virginia is projected to fall about 12% by 2030 — from 19 in 2025 to a central estimate of 17 (95% range 11–22). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±14.1%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

-12%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 →
17Projected 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 →
11–2295% 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 →
±14.1%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 West Virginia is projected to fall about 12% by 2030 — from 19 in 2025 to a central estimate of 17 (95% range 11–22). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±14.1%, 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 →
2026181224
2027181223
2028171223
2029171123
2030171122

Indigo Bunting Survey Routes in West Virginia

Routes recording Indigo Bunting in West Virginia.
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 →
Sleepy Creek4819901966
Martinsburg4220251966
Paradise4120251966
Rio3819951974
Valley Head3520251966
Bebee3420251972
Lost River3320251996
Berryburg3219961975
Henderson3220232002
Mt Storm3119751966
Pedro2920251979
Shanghai2820251995
Hix2720251970
Smoot2720251980
Stollings2720211986
Denmar2520251980
Meadowville2520251972
Hubbardstown2420251966
Welch2320251980
Green Bank2220251977
Rockport2220251966
Albright2219741966
Clendenin2120251979
Spencer2020241986
Sutton2020251976

Indigo Bunting Population Trend in Other States

alabamaarizonaarkansascaliforniacoloradoconnecticutdelawarefloridageorgiaillinoisindianaiowakansaskentuckylouisianamainemarylandmassachusettsmichiganminnesotamississippimissourimontananebraskanevadanew-hampshirenew-jerseynew-mexiconew-yorknorth-carolinanorth-dakotaohiooklahomapennsylvaniarhode-islandsouth-carolinasouth-dakotatennesseetexasutahvermontvirginiawisconsinwyoming

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