BirdAnalyst
Species · Wisconsin · BBS 2026 Release · 1966–2025

Indigo Bunting Population Trend in Wisconsin

All statesForest birds

Indigo Bunting in Wisconsin has risen sharply: up 58% on the route-weighted index since 1968.

+58%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 →
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 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 58% 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 10% by 2030 — from 17 in 2025 to a central estimate of 15 (95% range 12–18). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±7.3%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

-10%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 →
12–1895% 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 →
±7.3%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 in Wisconsin is projected to fall about 10% by 2030 — from 17 in 2025 to a central estimate of 15 (95% range 12–18). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±7.3%, 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 →
2026151218
2027151218
2028151218
2029151218
2030151218

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 →
Bashaw5820251998
N Freedom4020251966
Wausaukee3920251980
River Falls3920251998
Hatfield3819981970
Gresham3820251998
Iron River3720251967
Fall River3720251966
Loraine3520251966
Bayfield3320251967
Kendall3020251967
Pardeeville3020251967
Meridean3020251998
Amnicon Falls2720251998
Oconto Falls2420231968
Casco2420251966
Merrill2320251966
Irma2320251967
New Lisbon2320251967
Cochrane2220251966
Stevens Pt2220231966
Weirgor Springs2220251999
Gilmanton2120251966
Trempealeau2120251966
Highland2020251998

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 2026-08-14.