BirdAnalyst
Species · New Hampshire · BBS 2026 Release · 1966–2025

Turkey Vulture Population Trend in New Hampshire

All statesBirds of prey

Turkey Vulture in New Hampshire has surged: up 277% on the route-weighted index since 1984.

+277%Since 1984TrendPercent 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 →
23Routes 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 →
39YearsYears 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 New HampshireNotable 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 New Hampshire: up 277% on the route-weighted index since 1984.

Turkey Vulture Population Forecast in New Hampshire

If the recent trend holds, Turkey Vulture in New Hampshire is projected to rise about 84% by 2030 — from 0.56 in 2025 to a central estimate of 1.0 (95% range 0.34–1.7). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±203.9%, with 40% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

+84%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 →
1.0Projected 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 →
0.34–1.795% 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 →
±203.9%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 New Hampshire is projected to rise about 84% by 2030 — from 0.56 in 2025 to a central estimate of 1.0 (95% range 0.34–1.7). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±203.9%, with 40% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.19752030
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 →
20260.950.241.6
20270.970.271.7
20280.990.291.7
20291.00.311.7
20301.00.341.7

Turkey Vulture Survey Routes in New Hampshire

Routes recording Turkey Vulture in New Hampshire.
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 →
Marlow420221975
Wilmot320251994
Milan320251991
Peterborough220241999
Fitzwilliam220251982
Dover220192014
Concord220221984
Strafford220012001
Canterbury220251996
Franconia220251993
East Kingston220162016
Hopkinton120211984
Epsom120251989
Gilmantn I W120192002
Mt Chocorua120022000
Walpole120241982
Lempster120172001
Jefferson Hl120172017
Stratford120042004
Dixvil Notch119931993
Clarksville120182018
Glen120242000
Jeffers Ntch120192019

Turkey Vulture Population Trend in Other States

alabamaarizonaarkansascaliforniacoloradoconnecticutdelawarefloridageorgiaidahoillinoisindianaiowakansaskentuckylouisianamainemarylandmassachusettsmichiganminnesotamississippimissourimontananebraskanevadanew-jerseynew-mexiconew-yorknorth-carolinanorth-dakotaohiooklahomaoregonpennsylvaniarhode-islandsouth-carolinasouth-dakotatennesseetexasutahvermontvirginiawashingtonwest-virginiawisconsinwyoming

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