BirdAnalyst
Species · North Dakota · BBS 2025 Release · 1966–2024

Turkey Vulture Population Trend in North Dakota

All statesGeneralists

Turkey Vulture in North Dakota has surged: up 149% on the route-weighted index since 1987.

+149%Since 1987
20Routes In State
34Years

Notable Turkey Vulture Trends in North Dakota

long arc increasecomputed index

Turkey Vulture has surged in North Dakota: up 149% on the route-weighted index since 1987.

Turkey Vulture Population Forecast in North Dakota

If the recent trend holds, Turkey Vulture in North Dakota is projected to rise about 24% by 2029 — from 0.26 in 2024 to a central estimate of 0.32 (95% range 0.04–0.60). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±188.7%, with 60% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

+24%Change by 2029
0.32Projected 2029 index
0.04–0.6095% range
±188.7%Backtest error
19822029
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
20250.290.010.57
20260.300.020.58
20270.310.030.58
20280.310.040.59
20290.320.040.60

Turkey Vulture Survey Routes in North Dakota

Routes recording Turkey Vulture in North Dakota.
Stanley620241991
Regan220221991
Golva220222021
Bentley220142013
Glen Ullin220222002
Braddock220212002
Abercrombie 2220172017
Forman120212021
Carson120211997
Emerado120172013
Cooperstown120152009
Wimbledon120162016
Horsehead Lk120212021
Denbigh120172009
Zap120241994
Roosevelt Pk120181982
Parshall120112011
Douglas Crk120181987
Turtle Mtns120072005
Solen120232007

Turkey Vulture Population Trend in Other States

alabamaarizonaarkansascaliforniacoloradoconnecticutdelawarefloridageorgiaidahoillinoisindianaiowakansaskentuckylouisianamainemarylandmassachusettsmichiganminnesotamississippimissourimontananebraskanevadanew-hampshirenew-jerseynew-mexiconew-yorknorth-carolinaohiooklahomaoregonpennsylvaniarhode-islandsouth-carolinasouth-dakotatennesseetexasutahvermontvirginiawashingtonwest-virginiawisconsinwyoming

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