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

Cooper's Hawk Population Trend in Massachusetts

All statesGeneralists

Cooper's Hawk in Massachusetts has surged: up 107% on the route-weighted index since 1983.

+107%Since 1983TrendPercent 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 →
21Routes 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 →
32YearsYears 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 MassachusettsNotable 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 Massachusetts: up 107% on the route-weighted index since 1983.

Cooper's Hawk Population Forecast in Massachusetts

If the recent trend holds, Cooper's Hawk in Massachusetts is projected to rise about 39% by 2029 — from 0.13 in 2024 to a central estimate of 0.18 (95% range 0.08–0.29). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±46%, with 60% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

+39%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 →
0.18Projected 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 →
0.08–0.2995% 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 →
±46%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 Massachusetts is projected to rise about 39% by 2029 — from 0.13 in 2024 to a central estimate of 0.18 (95% range 0.08–0.29). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±46%, with 60% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.19712029
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 →
20250.170.060.28
20260.180.070.28
20270.180.070.29
20280.180.070.29
20290.180.080.29

Cooper's Hawk Survey Routes in Massachusetts

Routes recording Cooper's Hawk in Massachusetts.
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 →
Newburyport320222008
E Dennis120212009
Ware River120221995
Prattville120191971
Brockton120182006
Maynard120212011
Cape Cod Ns120072007
N Oxford120212009
Mansfield120242001
Belchertown120192010
S Barre120152014
N Orange119991999
Cummington120081971
Chesterfield120122012
Cheshire119861986
Pittsfield119871987
Gay Head120232005
Holden120242014
N. Andover120192019
Warren 2120102010
Cummington 2120182017

Cooper's Hawk Population Trend in Other States

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

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