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

Cooper's Hawk Population Trend in Iowa

All statesGeneralists

Cooper's Hawk in Iowa has surged: up 244% on the route-weighted index since 1995.

+244%Since 1995TrendPercent 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 →
19YearsYears surveyedNumber of years with at least one standard-protocol run in this geography. A longer record makes the trend more reliable.Full methodology →

Notable Cooper's Hawk Trends in IowaNotable 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 →

Cooper's Hawk has surged in Iowa: up 244% on the route-weighted index since 1995.

Cooper's Hawk Population Forecast in Iowa

If the recent trend holds, Cooper's Hawk in Iowa is projected to stay roughly flat through 2028, near 0.13 (95% range 0.04–0.21). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±79.6%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

n/aChange by 2028TrendPercent 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 →
0.13Projected 2028 indexProjected indexThe central forecast of the abundance index if the recent trend continues. A projection of the current trajectory, not a prediction.Full methodology →
0.04–0.2195% 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 →
±79.6%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, Cooper's Hawk in Iowa is projected to stay roughly flat through 2028, near 0.13 (95% range 0.04–0.21). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±79.6%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.19772028
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 →
20240.120.030.20
20250.120.030.21
20260.120.030.21
20270.120.030.21
20280.130.040.21

Cooper's Hawk Survey Routes in Iowa

Routes recording Cooper's Hawk in Iowa.
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 →
Hudson420132013
Mt Hamill120082008
Exline120222007
Melrose120182016
Bedford120142014
College Spgs120042004
Bryant120182018
Red Rock120102010
Panther120182018
Wales120162015
Maquoketa120141995
Prairieburg120182018
Dinsdale120122012
Scranton120102010
Pierson120172017
Washta120141998
Sioux City120232007
Davis Corner120222022
Titonka120161977
Rock Valley120152015
College Spgs 2120222009
Lafayette120032003
Mccallsburg120142014

Cooper's Hawk 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.