BirdAnalyst
Species · West Virginia · BBS 2026 Release · 1966–2025

Broad-winged Hawk Population Trend in West Virginia

All statesBirds of prey

Broad-winged Hawk in West Virginia has fallen sharply: down 61% on the route-weighted index since 1968.

-61%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 →
58Routes 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 →
55YearsYears surveyedNumber of years with at least one standard-protocol run in this geography. A longer record makes the trend more reliable.Full methodology →

Notable Broad-winged Hawk Trends in West VirginiaNotable 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 declinecomputed 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 →

Broad-winged Hawk has fallen sharply in West Virginia: down 61% on the route-weighted index since 1968.

Broad-winged Hawk Population Forecast in West Virginia

If the recent trend holds, Broad-winged Hawk in West Virginia is projected to rise about 24% by 2030 — from 0.09 in 2025 to a central estimate of 0.12 (95% range 0.00–0.28). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±26.2%, with 80% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

+24%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 →
0.12Projected 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 →
0.00–0.2895% 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 →
±26.2%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, Broad-winged Hawk in West Virginia is projected to rise about 24% by 2030 — from 0.09 in 2025 to a central estimate of 0.12 (95% range 0.00–0.28). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±26.2%, with 80% 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 →
20260.120.000.29
20270.120.000.29
20280.120.000.28
20290.120.000.28
20300.120.000.28

Broad-winged Hawk Survey Routes in West Virginia

Routes recording Broad-winged Hawk in West Virginia.
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 →
Lost River420212004
Bemis320082001
Clear Creek220221992
Meadland220172017
Canaan220031975
Richwood220251985
Green Bank220211982
Washburn219941987
Rio219891974
Bowden220232008
Bismark220191976
Henderson220172017
Hix120231995
Smoot120001998
Pedro120221986
Stollings119951995
Bramwell120161980
Ghent120251993
Hanover120151995
Welch120032003
Breeden120031994
Pt Pleasant120221995
Arlee119751967
Hubbardstown120041978
Spencer120242024

Broad-winged Hawk Population Trend in Other States

alabamaarkansasconnecticutdelawarefloridageorgiaillinoisindianaiowakansaskentuckylouisianamainemarylandmassachusettsmichiganminnesotamississippimissourinew-hampshirenew-jerseynew-yorknorth-carolinanorth-dakotaohiooklahomapennsylvaniarhode-islandsouth-carolinasouth-dakotatennesseetexasvermontvirginiawisconsinwyoming

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