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

Turkey Vulture Population Trend in Indiana

All statesGeneralists

Turkey Vulture in Indiana has surged: up 16× on the route-weighted index since 1968.

16×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 →
66Routes 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 Turkey Vulture 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 →

Turkey Vulture has surged in Indiana: up 16× on the route-weighted index since 1968.

Turkey Vulture Population Forecast in Indiana

If the recent trend holds, Turkey Vulture in Indiana is projected to fall about 13% by 2029 — from 8.9 in 2024 to a central estimate of 7.7 (95% range 5.3–10). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±27.4%, with 20% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

-13%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 →
7.7Projected 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 →
5.3–1095% 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 →
±27.4%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 Indiana is projected to fall about 13% by 2029 — from 8.9 in 2024 to a central estimate of 7.7 (95% range 5.3–10). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±27.4%, with 20% 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 →
20257.24.79.6
20267.34.99.8
20277.55.09.9
20287.65.110
20297.75.310

Turkey Vulture Survey Routes in Indiana

Routes recording Turkey Vulture 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 →
Jamestown5420241986
Sexton4820241981
Decatur4520241999
Galveston2720241981
Newberry2720242000
Frankfort2620221999
Brookville2520241971
Witts Station2020242000
New Phila1920241984
Ellis1820241968
Maplewood1820212000
Friendswood1820241986
Scottsburg1720241982
Rensselaer1720212000
Wabash1320241996
Spencer1320241967
Wallace1320241999
Crown Point1220221999
Packertown1020041969
Azalia1020241982
Lagrange1020241999
Corydon920241968
Vevay820241966
Packertown 2820242005
Knox720241981

Turkey Vulture Population Trend in Other States

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

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