BirdAnalyst
Species · North Carolina · BBS 2025 Release · 1966–2024

Cooper's Hawk Population Trend in North Carolina

All statesGeneralists

Cooper's Hawk in North Carolina has surged: up 102% on the route-weighted index since 1970.

+102%Since 1970TrendPercent 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 →
85Routes 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 →
43YearsYears 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 North CarolinaNotable 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 North Carolina: up 102% on the route-weighted index since 1970.

Cooper's Hawk Population Forecast in North Carolina

If the recent trend holds, Cooper's Hawk in North Carolina is projected to rise about 13% by 2029 — from 0.16 in 2024 to a central estimate of 0.18 (95% range 0.09–0.27). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±22.5%, with 80% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

+13%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 →
0.09–0.2795% 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 →
±22.5%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 North Carolina is projected to rise about 13% by 2029 — from 0.16 in 2024 to a central estimate of 0.18 (95% range 0.09–0.27). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±22.5%, 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 →
20250.170.080.26
20260.170.080.26
20270.170.080.27
20280.170.080.27
20290.180.090.27

Cooper's Hawk Survey Routes in North Carolina

Routes recording Cooper's Hawk in North Carolina.
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 →
Cherryville219661966
Oteen220232004
Hendersonvil220231998
Old Trap220182010
Merrimon120162014
Myrtle Grove120242012
Wards Corner120152013
Hallsboro120132013
Arapahoe119751970
Speed120231993
Kinston120191993
Jordan120191999
Rose120052005
Saxapahaw120211981
Climax120231986
Mooresville119671967
Oakboro120242017
Brevard120212000
Fontana120212021
California120061985
Arcola120211992
Youngsville120082008
Madison119771977
Call120241978
Linville120091991

Cooper's Hawk Population Trend in Other States

alabamaarizonaarkansascaliforniacoloradoconnecticutdelawarefloridageorgiaidahoillinoisindianaiowakansaskentuckylouisianamainemarylandmassachusettsmichiganminnesotamississippimissourimontananebraskanevadanew-hampshirenew-jerseynew-mexiconew-yorknorth-dakotaohiooklahomaoregonpennsylvaniarhode-islandsouth-carolinasouth-dakotatennesseetexasutahvermontvirginiawashingtonwest-virginiawisconsinwyoming

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