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Species · Delaware · BBS 2026 Release · 1966–2025

Turkey Vulture Population Trend in Delaware

All statesBirds of prey

Turkey Vulture in Delaware has surged: up 482% on the route-weighted index since 1968.

+482%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 →
17Routes 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 DelawareNotable 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 Delaware: up 482% on the route-weighted index since 1968.

Turkey Vulture Population Forecast in Delaware

If the recent trend holds, Turkey Vulture in Delaware is projected to rise about 71% by 2030 — from 22 in 2025 to a central estimate of 37 (95% range 25–49). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±17.8%, with 80% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

+71%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 →
37Projected 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 →
25–4995% 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 →
±17.8%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, Turkey Vulture in Delaware is projected to rise about 71% by 2030 — from 22 in 2025 to a central estimate of 37 (95% range 25–49). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±17.8%, with 80% 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 →
2026352347
2027362448
2028362448
2029372549
2030372549

Turkey Vulture Survey Routes in Delaware

Routes recording Turkey Vulture in Delaware.
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 →
Frankford10520121966
Holleyville7120041967
Holleyville 26020242006
Pepperbox5120161998
Harrington4920251966
Milton4620161966
Milton 23420252017
Georgetown2220221992
Pepperbox 22020252017
Millsboro1820252017
Blackbird720251994
Wilmington420141966
Dover419871967
Mt Pleasant320191966
Frederica320251966
Lowes Xrds119911966
Bethany Bch119901966

Turkey Vulture Population Trend in Other States

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

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