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Species · Alabama · BBS 2026 Release · 1966–2025

Turkey Vulture Population Trend in Alabama

All statesBirds of prey

Turkey Vulture in Alabama has surged: up 455% on the route-weighted index since 1968.

+455%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 →
105Routes 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 Turkey Vulture Trends in AlabamaNotable 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 →

Turkey Vulture has surged in Alabama: up 455% on the route-weighted index since 1968.

Turkey Vulture Population Forecast in Alabama

If the recent trend holds, Turkey Vulture in Alabama is projected to rise about 20% by 2030 — from 5.2 in 2025 to a central estimate of 6.2 (95% range 4.8–7.6). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±7.4%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

+20%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 →
6.2Projected 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 →
4.8–7.695% 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 →
±7.4%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, Turkey Vulture in Alabama is projected to rise about 20% by 2030 — from 5.2 in 2025 to a central estimate of 6.2 (95% range 4.8–7.6). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±7.4%, 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 →
20265.94.57.2
20276.04.67.3
20286.04.77.4
20296.14.87.5
20306.24.87.6

Turkey Vulture Survey Routes in Alabama

Routes recording Turkey Vulture in Alabama.
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 →
Wedowee2920231996
Swaim2620251966
Greensboro2620251967
Harrell1720251972
Brundidge1720211967
Carrollton1720251993
Madrid1720231994
Courtland1720231998
Stevenson1520241999
Vernon1520221996
Youngtown1420251994
Brooksville1420251984
Rock Chapel1320241995
Vina1320231996
Lanett1220241966
Jena1220251984
Perdido1220252021
Brantley1120251967
Fairview1120251989
St Florian1020241975
Sprague1020251966
Choccolocco1020251984
Latham920001966
Epes920241980
Eufaula920241996

Turkey Vulture Population Trend in Other States

arizonaarkansascaliforniacoloradoconnecticutdelawarefloridageorgiaidahoillinoisindianaiowakansaskentuckylouisianamainemarylandmassachusettsmichiganminnesotamississippimissourimontananebraskanevadanew-hampshirenew-jerseynew-mexiconew-yorknorth-carolinanorth-dakotaohiooklahomaoregonpennsylvaniarhode-islandsouth-carolinasouth-dakotatennesseetexasutahvermontvirginiawashingtonwest-virginiawisconsinwyoming

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