BirdAnalyst
Species · Wisconsin · BBS 2026 Release · 1966–2025

Turkey Vulture Population Trend in Wisconsin

All statesBirds of prey

Turkey Vulture in Wisconsin has surged: up 75× on the route-weighted index since 1969.

75×Since 1969TrendPercent 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 →
94Routes 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 →
54YearsYears 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 WisconsinNotable signalsLong-arc shifts the engine flags automatically — sustained declines or increases large enough to stand out from year-to-year noise.Full methodology →

No notable trend signals for Turkey Vulture in Wisconsin. See the full index history below.

Turkey Vulture Population Forecast in Wisconsin

If the recent trend holds, Turkey Vulture in Wisconsin is projected to fall about 18% by 2030 — from 2.6 in 2025 to a central estimate of 2.1 (95% range 1.3–3.0). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±16%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

-18%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 →
2.1Projected 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 →
1.3–3.095% 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 →
±16%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 Wisconsin is projected to fall about 18% by 2030 — from 2.6 in 2025 to a central estimate of 2.1 (95% range 1.3–3.0). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±16%, with 100% 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 →
20262.01.12.9
20272.01.12.9
20282.11.22.9
20292.11.23.0
20302.11.33.0

Turkey Vulture Survey Routes in Wisconsin

Routes recording Turkey Vulture in Wisconsin.
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 →
Kendall3920251982
Annaton2320252000
Clintonville1520251986
Mukwonago 21320252005
Brownsville920251983
Eden920251976
Stetsonville920252002
N Freedom720251968
Weirgor Springs720252002
Prairie Du Chien720251998
Exeland520251992
Rib Lake520171984
Hazel Green520252010
Highland520252001
Beloit520252009
Phillips420231995
Cochrane420251975
Viroqua420241966
Rolling Pr420222007
Beaver Dam420232004
N Andover420251988
Omro 2420252003
Briggsville420242007
Kiel420252002
Iron River320222000

Turkey Vulture Population Trend in Other States

alabamaarizonaarkansascaliforniacoloradoconnecticutdelawarefloridageorgiaidahoillinoisindianaiowakansaskentuckylouisianamainemarylandmassachusettsmichiganminnesotamississippimissourimontananebraskanevadanew-hampshirenew-jerseynew-mexiconew-yorknorth-carolinanorth-dakotaohiooklahomaoregonpennsylvaniarhode-islandsouth-carolinasouth-dakotatennesseetexasutahvermontvirginiawashingtonwest-virginiawyoming

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