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

Indigo Bunting Population Trend in Wisconsin

All statesGeneralists

Indigo Bunting in Wisconsin has risen sharply: up 51% on the route-weighted index since 1968.

+51%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 →
98Routes 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 →
58YearsYears 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 WisconsinNotable 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 increasecomputed 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 risen sharply in Wisconsin: up 51% on the route-weighted index since 1968.

Indigo Bunting Population Forecast in Wisconsin

If the recent trend holds, Indigo Bunting in Wisconsin is projected to fall about 11% by 2029 — from 17 in 2024 to a central estimate of 15 (95% range 12–17). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±5.8%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

-11%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 →
15Projected 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 →
12–1795% 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 →
±5.8%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 Wisconsin is projected to fall about 11% by 2029 — from 17 in 2024 to a central estimate of 15 (95% range 12–17). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±5.8%, 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 →
2025141217
2026141217
2027151217
2028151217
2029151217

Indigo Bunting Survey Routes in Wisconsin

Routes recording Indigo Bunting in Wisconsin.
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 →
N Freedom5220241966
Gresham4220241998
Hatfield3819981970
Bayfield3720241967
Fall River3620241966
River Falls3620241998
Cumberland3320241966
Wausaukee3320241980
Gilmanton3320241966
Meridean3120241998
Iron River3020241967
Weirgor Springs3020241999
Washington I2920241967
Trempealeau2920241966
Pardeeville2920241967
Hollister2820241967
Kendall2720231967
Hebron2520241966
Amberg2420241980
Oconto Falls2420231968
Paris2420241966
Saxeville2320241966
Brownsville2320241966
Irma2220241967
Cadott2220241966

Indigo Bunting Population Trend in Other States

alabamaarizonaarkansascaliforniacoloradoconnecticutdelawarefloridageorgiaillinoisindianaiowakansaskentuckylouisianamainemarylandmassachusettsmichiganminnesotamississippimissourimontananebraskanevadanew-hampshirenew-jerseynew-mexiconew-yorknorth-carolinanorth-dakotaohiooklahomapennsylvaniarhode-islandsouth-carolinasouth-dakotatennesseetexasutahvermontvirginiawest-virginiawyoming

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