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

Turkey Vulture Population Trend in Iowa

All statesGeneralists

Turkey Vulture in Iowa has surged: up 14× on the route-weighted index since 1969.

14×Since 1969
35Routes In State
56Years

Notable Turkey Vulture Trends in Iowa

long arc increasecomputed index

Turkey Vulture has surged in Iowa: up 14× on the route-weighted index since 1969.

Turkey Vulture Population Forecast in Iowa

If the recent trend holds, Turkey Vulture in Iowa is projected to stay roughly flat through 2029, near 4.0 (95% range 2.1–5.9). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±32.2%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

-7%Change by 2029
4.0Projected 2029 index
2.1–5.995% range
±32.2%Backtest error
19672029
Projection of the recent trend (dashed) with 80/95% bands — a projection, not a prediction. Habitat, climate, and land use are not modeled.
YearProjected index95% low95% high
20253.71.85.6
20263.81.85.7
20273.81.95.8
20283.92.05.9
20294.02.15.9

Turkey Vulture Survey Routes in Iowa

Routes recording Turkey Vulture in Iowa.
Bedford5420181981
Mt Hamill2120241967
Red Rock2020241969
Exline1620241990
Mccallsburg1020241996
Hudson620221986
Scranton620242007
Williamsburg520231992
Festina520241993
Dinsdale420241982
Washington320241996
Wales320181999
Zearing319951994
Clare320132001
Washta320141986
West Liberty220231994
Brooklyn220182003
Desmoines219701968
Alice219951978
Prairieburg220182012
Sioux City220222007
Davis Corner220242005
Tipton220242010
Melrose120241974
College Spgs120041971

Turkey Vulture Population Trend in Other States

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

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