Red-shouldered Hawk Population Analysis
Red-shouldered Hawk has surged: up 245% on the route-weighted index since 1968.
About the Red-shouldered Hawk
The Red-shouldered Hawk (Buteo lineatus) is a North American member of the Hawks, Eagles & Kites (Accipitridae). In this analysis it is grouped with the birds of prey.
- Size
- 17.5–39.5 in long (45–100 cm) — a medium to large raptor (typical for the family)
- Habitat
- Open country, woodlands, cliffs and wetlands, hunting from the air or a high perch.
- Diet
- Live prey — small mammals, birds, reptiles, fish and large insects (carrion for vultures).
- Range
- Recorded on 2,001 Breeding Bird Survey routes across 38 states, most concentrated in the Southeastern Coastal Plain.
- Family
- Accipitridae · Birds of prey
Notable Red-shouldered Hawk TrendsNotable signalsLong-arc shifts the engine flags automatically — sustained declines or increases large enough to stand out from year-to-year noise.Full methodology →
Red-shouldered Hawk has surged in surveyed states: up 245% on the route-weighted index since 1968.
Red-shouldered Hawk Population Forecast
If the recent trend holds, Red-shouldered Hawk is projected to stay roughly flat through 2030, near 0.79 (95% range 0.64–0.93). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±23.8%, with 0% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.
Where the Red-shouldered Hawk Is Detected
BBS routes recording Red-shouldered Hawk, sized by most recent count.
Red-shouldered Hawk Population Trend by State
Red-shouldered Hawk Population Trend by Region
Bird Conservation Regions are the ecological unit for trends.
Red-shouldered Hawk Conservation Status
Our route-weighted index shows it up about 245% since 1968.
Source: USGS North American Breeding Bird Survey, retrieved 2026-08-14. Trend is a route-weighted relative-abundance index, not an absolute population.