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

Cooper's Hawk Population Trend in Maryland

All statesGeneralists

Cooper's Hawk in Maryland has surged: up 13× on the route-weighted index since 1968.

13×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 →
64Routes 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 →
50YearsYears 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 MarylandNotable 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 Maryland: up 13× on the route-weighted index since 1968.

Cooper's Hawk Population Forecast in Maryland

If the recent trend holds, Cooper's Hawk in Maryland is projected to rise about 31% by 2029 — from 0.21 in 2024 to a central estimate of 0.28 (95% range 0.16–0.40). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±34.3%, with 80% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

+31%Change by 2029TrendPercent 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 →
0.28Projected 2029 indexProjected indexThe central forecast of the abundance index if the recent trend continues. A projection of the current trajectory, not a prediction.Full methodology →
0.16–0.4095% 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 →
±34.3%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 Maryland is projected to rise about 31% by 2029 — from 0.21 in 2024 to a central estimate of 0.28 (95% range 0.16–0.40). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±34.3%, with 80% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.19662029
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 →
20250.260.140.38
20260.270.140.39
20270.270.150.39
20280.280.150.40
20290.280.160.40

Cooper's Hawk Survey Routes in Maryland

Routes recording Cooper's Hawk in Maryland.
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 →
Potomac Park220101999
Eklo220182005
Van Bibber220082000
Madonna220222015
St. George'S Island220172015
Ijamsville220221987
Pr Frederick220221991
Floyd120172010
Vindex119871983
Oldtown119861986
Williamsport120232001
Smithsburg120111983
Wolfsville120241970
Emmitsburg120242009
Fair Hill119941994
Olney120241990
Warfieldsbrg120131991
Pleasant Val120151984
Bachman Mill120241986
Fowblesburg120161993
Randallstown120131997
Walnut120112011
Berlin119921992
Beltsville120111987
Cheltenham119991988

Cooper's Hawk Population Trend in Other States

alabamaarizonaarkansascaliforniacoloradoconnecticutdelawarefloridageorgiaidahoillinoisindianaiowakansaskentuckylouisianamainemassachusettsmichiganminnesotamississippimissourimontananebraskanevadanew-hampshirenew-jerseynew-mexiconew-yorknorth-carolinanorth-dakotaohiooklahomaoregonpennsylvaniarhode-islandsouth-carolinasouth-dakotatennesseetexasutahvermontvirginiawashingtonwest-virginiawisconsinwyoming

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