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

Cooper's Hawk Population Trend in Montana

All statesGeneralists

Cooper's Hawk in Montana has collapsed: down 80% on the route-weighted index since 1974.

-80%Since 1974TrendPercent 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 →
37Routes 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 →
38YearsYears 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 MontanaNotable 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 →

Cooper's Hawk has collapsed in Montana: down 80% on the route-weighted index since 1974.

Cooper's Hawk Population Forecast in Montana

If the recent trend holds, Cooper's Hawk in Montana is projected to fall about 86% by 2029 — from 0.06 in 2024 to a central estimate of 0.01 (95% range 0.00–0.13). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±89.5%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

-86%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 →
0.01Projected 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 →
0.00–0.1395% 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 →
±89.5%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 Montana is projected to fall about 86% by 2029 — from 0.06 in 2024 to a central estimate of 0.01 (95% range 0.00–0.13). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±89.5%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.19692029
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 →
20250.010.000.14
20260.010.000.14
20270.010.000.14
20280.010.000.13
20290.010.000.13

Cooper's Hawk Survey Routes in Montana

Routes recording Cooper's Hawk in Montana.
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 →
Chestnut220241971
Red Rock219921992
Ninemile220182018
Fish Creek220232023
Libby Dam119841984
Kalispell120101977
Logan Pass119951995
Threemile Wa120112011
Cleveland120002000
Cramer Creek120112011
Willow Creek 2120232023
Elevation Mt120181994
Redstone120142002
St Regis120131991
Polson120242005
Arlee119941988
Bull Mtn.119951995
Highwood120161969
Brusett120122012
Clinton120061989
Elliston120181992
Locate119951984
Sula120142014
Reed Point120091995
Whitefish Lake120172016

Cooper's Hawk Population Trend in Other States

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

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