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

Ring-billed Gull Population Trend in Indiana

All statesWetland birds

Ring-billed Gull in Indiana has surged: up 310% on the route-weighted index since 1983.

+310%Since 1983TrendPercent 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 →
13Routes 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 →
41YearsYears surveyedNumber of years with at least one standard-protocol run in this geography. A longer record makes the trend more reliable.Full methodology →

Notable Ring-billed Gull Trends in IndianaNotable 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 →

Ring-billed Gull has surged in Indiana: up 310% on the route-weighted index since 1983.

Ring-billed Gull Population Forecast in Indiana

If the recent trend holds, Ring-billed Gull in Indiana is projected to rise about 276% by 2029 — from 1.5 in 2024 to a central estimate of 5.7 (95% range 0.00–15). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±1206.2%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

+276%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 →
5.7Projected 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 →
0.00–1595% 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 →
±1206.2%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, Ring-billed Gull in Indiana is projected to rise about 276% by 2029 — from 1.5 in 2024 to a central estimate of 5.7 (95% range 0.00–15). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±1206.2%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.19812029
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 →
20255.70.0015
20265.70.0015
20275.70.0015
20285.70.0015
20295.70.0015

Ring-billed Gull Survey Routes in Indiana

Routes recording Ring-billed Gull in Indiana.
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 →
Portage22120042000
Gary21519991981
Portage 26920242005
Middlebury1520102001
Indiana Dune1420241993
Crown Point920191999
Ellis520231996
Hebron320132008
Kankakee Sands220152006
Cumback119941994
Lakeville120122012
Laporte120232000
Lagrange120012001

Ring-billed Gull Population Trend in Other States

alabamaarizonacaliforniacoloradoconnecticutdelawarefloridageorgiaidahoillinoisiowakansaskentuckylouisianamainemarylandmassachusettsmichiganminnesotamissourimontananebraskanevadanew-hampshirenew-jerseynew-mexiconew-yorknorth-carolinanorth-dakotaohiooklahomaoregonpennsylvaniarhode-islandsouth-carolinasouth-dakotatexasutahvermontvirginiawashingtonwest-virginiawisconsinwyoming

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